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Moose0721's avatar
Moose0721
Explorer
Dec 28, 2016

Cargo carrier question

Hi guys, new to the forum but have been using the search button for months. I haven't been able to exactly find the answer to my question so go easy on me!

My rig is a 2008 Starcraft Antigua 185sb (hybrid model) 2628lbs dry and tongue weight of 476lbs.

I need a place to store my kipor ig3000 gennie and my electric/gas fridge. I figured back of the rv would be perfect on a cargo basket (500lb unit) mounted to a hitch bolted to the frame. (obviously the 4" bumpers are just for show and won't hold weight).

In total the load including the basket would be 250lbs. I've read that the tongue weight will change and the trailer may sway. What I'm asking you guys is, is 250lbs max going to hurt me that much or would it not be a big deal? I've tried to read every post about this but some people are trying to mount 300-500lbs back there, I sure would like to know if 250lbs max is a big deal or not. I know there's a tendency for bounce but everything would be ratchet strapped down. Thanks for your replies!
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2016
    Changing the tongue weight by 50% is definitely going to affect the handling of the trailer. I'd suggest to mount the generator on the tongue of the trailer and store the fridge in the truck bed. That will allow you to use both and eliminate any potential trailering issues.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2016
    Moose0721 wrote:
    What I'm asking you guys is, is 250lbs max going to hurt me that much or would it not be a big deal?


    This is such a terrible idea it's surprising anyone would even think to mount this much weight as far back from the axles as they possibly could and not expect it to severely unload the tongue, particularly on such a short trailer. :R Mounting the genset over the tongue would place the weight where it belongs but you'd then not be able to lower the front hybrid bed ... put the genset in the truck.
  • Moose0721's avatar
    Moose0721
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2016
    Thanks guys for your advice. I have 1 of those 4" bumper mount hitches could I at least put our bikes (2 very light hard tails) on the back or is that a no go? Bikes probably weigh 65lbs together. Have a light bike rack.
  • WNYBob's avatar
    WNYBob
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2016
    It's not the weight of the bicycles back there it's the weight bouncing. A good bounce can be 2x to 4x the weight!

    Not a good idea!
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2016
    Moose0721 wrote:
    I have 1 of those 4" bumper mount hitches could I at least put our bikes (2 very light hard tails) on the back or is that a no go? Bikes probably weigh 65lbs together. Have a light bike rack.


    Same argument - bikes belong over the tongue or in the truck bed. You might want to read through this discussion on the subject of (lack of) bumper strength.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2016
    If you have your trailer frame strengthened when installing the hitch it will work. Your hitch needs to be mounted to the trailer frame as the main support. Whatever you have mounted, I'd want to make sure it has a load capacity of about 1500 pounds. You may never load anything near that much weight on the carrier, but even a couple hundred pounds hanging behind can cause an easy 1500 pound force on the trailer frame and hitch. So the "beefier" you can install, the better it will be.

    My camper came with a factory installed hitch, and I have a carrier. The hitch has a 350 pound limit warning label. At first I thought this is not much and I was somewhat disappointed. But after thinking about the weight bouncing back there, it made sense. So my total weight hanging on the hitch and bumper is probably right around 100 pounds. Not more.

  • Moose0721's avatar
    Moose0721
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2016
    Dutchmen I'd buy the curt rv hitch that mounts to the frame. The carrier holds 500lbs and the hitch is good for something like 500lbs. I do worry about that much weight back there at 250lbs.i guess back to the drawing board as I don't want to damage the trailer.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2016
    DutchmenSport wrote:
    If you have your trailer frame strengthened when installing the hitch it will work.


    BIG difference hanging a few hundred pounds off the rear of your 30'+ trailer and the OP's 185SB which is a mere 19' 6" coupler to bumper. :E BAD idea to unload the tongue with so much weight hanging off the far rear of that trailer, regardless of how much "strengthening" is done. :(

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