Installing a rear hitch

[janmaclean]

I have a 2014 303rl and would like to install a hitch at the rear, has anyone done that? I know the new one's have it done and when I looked at one it was a bolt on. Since I have a bumper there is no way to bolt one on.

 

[Knshook]

We have a 2015 303rls with the standard 4" bumper. I purchased a bolt on receiver from Camping World. Use it for our bike carrier. No problems for this application.

 

[huntr70]

Go to a certified welder and have them install a regular 2" receiver hitch under the bumper, mounted to the frame.

The clamp on receivers will eventually twist the bumper off. The 4" steel bumpers are only rated for 150 Lbs of load.

 

[gordofuchs]

It took me some time and money, but I ran two pieces of channel steel from both frame channels, the rearmost bolted through the four inch bumper. To the channel steel, I welded three 2" box pieces. I also obtained two aluminum wheelchair ramp/transport platforms and bolted them together. The end result is a platform about 30" in width, 8' long, with a ramp on it. It should be able to hold somewhere around 500 lbs.
If I was one of these high tech guys, I would send a picture.

Gord and Janet Fuchs
Presently at Fairview-Riverside, LA.

 

[TucsonJim]

I may be wrong, but doesn't welding to the frame void the frame warranty?

Jim

 

[Canyonlight]

I may be wrong, but doesn't welding to the frame void the frame warranty?

Jim

Jim--you are correct. Lippert shared with me in a phone conversation a few months ago that the warranty would be void with adding a welded or bolted hitch unless I brought our RV to their facility and they welded it on. Pragmatically in our situation it does not make a difference since as second owners, the Lippert frame warranty unlike the GDRV basic 1 year warranty is not transferable.

Dan

 

[gordofuchs]

I made that decision, based on the fact that Lippert, in my opinion, does not offer a significant warranty anyway.

Gord Fuchs

 

[Eaglehead]

According to Micah at GD mods done to the frame only void the warranty if the mod was the cause of possible failures. I would be cautious of adding anything that would diminish ground clearance at the rear cause if you are towing any at all nose high that makes the rear drop drastically.

 

[Bamaman]

You could also get a bolt on receiver hitch at Northern Tool and maybe Harbor Freight. I'd just be very careful to what you do with that hitch. Bicycles is about all I'd want to put back there unless substantial beefing up to the lightweight 4" square tubing and reinforcing the frame. Frames on most 5th wheel and travel trailers are notoriously lightweight.

 

[ALLAIN MOTORSPORTS]

I have a 323bhs and welded a hitch to the rear of mine to tow my 20ft 5000lb boat. If done correctly for what ever it is you are wanting to tow it should not cause any failures. I put 2 2x2 thick wall tubing in between the I beams space 12 inches apart and 2 4x4 thick wall under the frame which dropped the receiver tube even with the bottom of the bumper. Then used angle on the top 2 2x2 that dropped down 3 inches past the 4x4 and ran the receiver tube through both pieces of angle and welded it all up. This is overkill for a bike rack but I wanted to be able to tow anything from my atv's boat or bikes.

 

[janmaclean]

That sounds pretty beefy. I am trying to picture it but am a little lost, you don't have a picture do you. What state do you live in because 20 feet behind your trailer seems a little long. Do you have a special license to tow? I am planing to tow a 14 foot aluminum boat but I need to get a class A license for rvs, Ca. has their rules.

 

[Bamaman]

Many states don't allow piggybacking of trailers. With my crewcab truck, I'd be right 90' long pulling a 20' boat behind a BHS. That's more than I'm willing to do--even if legal in my state.

 

[ALLAIN MOTORSPORTS]

Many states don't allow piggybacking of trailers. With my crewcab truck, I'd be right 90' long pulling a 20' boat behind a BHS. That's more than I'm willing to do--even if legal in my state.

Double towing is not for everyone.

 

[Huey_Man]

I have a 323bhs and welded a hitch to the rear of mine to tow my 20ft 5000lb boat. If done correctly for what ever it is you are wanting to tow it should not cause any failures. I put 2 2x2 thick wall tubing in between the I beams space 12 inches apart and 2 4x4 thick wall under the frame which dropped the receiver tube even with the bottom of the bumper. Then used angle on the top 2 2x2 that dropped down 3 inches past the 4x4 and ran the receiver tube through both pieces of angle and welded it all up. This is overkill for a bike rack but I wanted to be able to tow anything from my atv's boat or bikes.

Do you have any pictures of the hitch and reinforcement you did to the frame ???

 

[notnsuv]

Bump to the top.

Do you have any pictures of the hitch and reinforcement you did to the frame ???

 

[Huey_Man]

My setup, towing a 20ft pontoon behind a 29RS.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bamaman]

I have a 323bhs and welded a hitch to the rear of mine to tow my 20ft 5000lb boat. If done correctly for what ever it is you are wanting to tow it should not cause any failures. I put 2 2x2 thick wall tubing in between the I beams space 12 inches apart and 2 4x4 thick wall under the frame which dropped the receiver tube even with the bottom of the bumper. Then used angle on the top 2 2x2 that dropped down 3 inches past the 4x4 and ran the receiver tube through both pieces of angle and welded it all up. This is overkill for a bike rack but I wanted to be able to tow anything from my atv's boat or bikes.

Let's see: 20' boat plus 5' of trailer tongue in front of boat + 36' fifth wheel + 19' Superduty crewcab= 80' total length. I don't know that that's even legal in most states. That's longer than a tractor trailer truck, even.

 

[bigzbaits]

Pic of Hitch

My setup, towing a 20ft pontoon behind a 29RS.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Can you send me a pic of your Hitch? Your messages are full

 

[Huey_Man]

Can you send me a pic of your Hitch? Your messages are full

My hitch is nothing special. All I did was add weld to the frame brackets and also added a brace where the hitch connects to the frame. I also added safety chain loops to the original hitch. The pontoon is pretty light weight..

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dahlonega Jim]

Just finished reinforcing the hitch on my 27RL. Welded the hitch to the frame all sides and welded a piece of channel from the receiver tube straight up to the most rearward cross frame. This will support any up down movement as well as side to side while towing.

Also, IMHO I would not tow any trailer with a trailer (not legal in most states that i know of and way too much sway to be safe). A 5th wheel is different and have do it for 30 + years.