Custom bumper assembly

simonov wrote:
I guess that's what I'll have to do. On Monday or Tuesday I'll take it out to get weighed with the tanks half filled. It's already a bit squirrelly, so it will be interesting to see what kind of leeway I have.

I understood there would be ramifications with more weight back there, which is why I was looking for some specifics. I didn't think the equivalent of a 200lb man laying on the rear bed was going to render the rig undrivable, but I'll see what the numbers say. Slightly different when the man would not be on the bed, but on a lever about 3' behind the bumper. :)

That is the important thing having it weighed. This discussion usually comes up when someone wants to haul a scooter or motorcycle, but the same logic applies.

There are several things you need to check. You need to know what your current "ready to go" weight is on the front and rear axle compared to the GAWR (usually on the door post). Know the capacity of the receiver hitch - usually 350 or 500 lbs.

There is a simple formula - Know the weight of your motorcycle. Add the weight of the carrier for the motorcycle. Measure the motorhome wheelbase (distance front axle to the rear axle). Measure the distance from the motorhome rear axle to the center of your motorcycle carrier. Now multiply the weight of the motorcycle plus the carrier by the distance behind the rear axle. Divide this answer by the distance between the axles. This is the amount you are lifting off the front axle (the see-saw effect) and adding to the rear axle. If for example:
1. motorcycle weighs 300 lbs
2. carrier weighs 50 lbs
3. motorcycle carrier is 8 feet behind the rear axle
4. wheelbase is 12 feet.
(300+50=350 x 8 feet = 2,800 divide by 12 feet = 233 lbs). In this example the motorcycle is lifting 233 lbs from the front axle and is adding 533 lbs (350+233) to the rear axle.