motorcycle lift on small gas A

Ivylog wrote:
Ain't no way you're going to do this with a small class A. A 5000 pound hitch is only good for 500 pounds of tongue weight. 1000 lbs that far back is going to put 1500 pounds on the rear axle. There's a reason you only see them on the back of big DPs, usually tag axle diesel pushers. Most of the CCC of a small class A is used up in the stuff you put in it.

Hes talking about welding supports to the frame mounts itself. Tongue weight isnt the only factor to consider. I dont see it being a problem for the frame rails provided he has verified the frame extensions can handle it.

If he is going to a camp ground, he most likely wont be running with water or waste tanks full, which is another EASY 500 lbs of savings in weight.

I will cautiously say its possible, but you must do your homework, load extremely light, and do NOT cut any corners.

Fleetwood makes a smaller 'flair' model which has been offered with tag axle. This might be your ticket.


EDIT

While it might be theoretically possible if you are determined and have a pile of cash to throw at your problem, it might not necessarily make a whole lot of sense to actually realize this, or try to, on a gas coach, let alone a small one.

I suspect a gas chassis isn't up for the job. 1/3 of my coach hangs behind the rear axle and adding over 1000 pounds to the rear might cause drivability issues concerning weight distribution between the front and read axle. You'll need to research a choosen coach very carefully in particular available weight capacity of the rear axle. Some will come off the builder's line with less than 1500 pounds of usable capacity split between both axles.

As mentioned the framing on the back end might not be up for the task also and will possibly require maybe boxing or other modification.

A better choice might be a swivel wheel trailer such as ONE OF THESE.

Ain't no way you're going to do this with a small class A. A 5000 pound hitch is only good for 500 pounds of tongue weight at the bumper. 1000 lbs of motorcycle and lift that far back is going to put 1500 pounds on the rear axle and take 500 pounds off the front axle.
Reinforcing the frame is not going to help as you are over the weight limit of your rear axle. There's a reason you only see them on the back of big DPs, usually tag axle diesel pushers. Most of the CCC of a small class A is used up in the stuff you put in it so you can forget adding even 500 pounds that far back.
You might want to click on "How I Tow" below as I know a fair amount about putting a lot of weight on the back of the motorhome.

I would check with the manufacturer of your smaller class A. Reason I say that, is most gas class A homes consist of an incomplete vehicle typically made by chev or ford, and MAY or may not have frame extensions welded on.

You can reinforce the hitch all you want, but if those frame extensions cant handle the downward force exerted by the added weight of a complete bike, you may end up causing some serious and likely permanent damage to your new, small coach.

On the other hand, the frame extensions may be re-enforceable themselves, and might be a simple case of that.

Check with the manufacturer (to save their ass-ets they may just decline to comment), and with a reputable fabrication/welding shop for a second opinion.


With regards to towing... a good option to consider is a AWS suv. While it does weigh considerably more than a 'small car' it will actually weigh less on the frame because AWD vehicles must be towed with all 4 wheels rolling.

http://www.hitchsource.com/11-14-ford-edge-includes-ecoboost-and-adaptive-cruise-control-blue-ox-tow-bar-baseplates-p-32759.html

This is an example of the towing hardware for my 2014 ford edge. Works great, no damage to toad or coach.

CHECK WITH VEHICLE MANUFACTURER ABOUT VEHICLE SPECIFIC REQURIEMENTS FOR THIS. IN MY FORD I HAVE TO STOP AND RUN THE ENGINE TO COOL OFF TRANS FLUID AFTER 6 HOURS OF DRIVING.