Would like to haul my ATV if possible

Thank you all for the helpful insite, A TRAILER IT IS!
Rick

Rick,

By the time you spend the money on this and an upgraded hitch I would bet you could get a small trailer for less. Good luck on your search!

We just got back from Yellowstone and the Tetons. It was awesome! Stop by the Tetons if you have time, that was our favorite.

Also there is no way that you would not be adding around 1155 lbs of weight (as Gene in NE says in his post above) to the rear axle and most Class C motorhomes run with a weight near the rear axle rating without any additional tongue weight added onto the rear hitch.

The Ford E350 chassis uses a Dana 70 rear axle rated for a maximum weight of 8350 lbs and the E450 chassis uses a Dana 80 rear axle rated for a maximum weight of 9450 lbs. If you were to weigh your rear axle load on a scale, I think you will find that adding 1155 lbs to that axle will seriously overload it. You need to use a 4 wheel trailer.

triple602 wrote:
Here ya' go!

http://www.discountramps.com/tilting_atv_rack.htm

That thing requires a Class 4 or better (1000# tongue weight) hitch. My guess is it should not be used on RV frame extenders either. Looks like a disaster wating to happen unless the hardware and vehicle it is attched to are very carefully .

FWIW- On my 24' Winnie, I could definitely feel the added weight of my 100cc trail bike hung on a rear rack. I think a Rubicon would be way to much to do the same.

When I added a small ATV to the collection, I bought a nice used Wells Cargo enclosed trailer. This has been a good choice. An added plus, I now have a place to store the bike and ATV, covered and out of sight, both at home and on the road.

I can also store things I would rather not carry in the MH, like the gas can, BBQ and pop-up.

- Norm

I'd strongly suggest a small utility trailer. I have a Yamaha Raptor 700 which is much lighter than the Honda Rubicon and I wouldn't hang it off the back of the RV. I have a 5x8 trailer.

Carson trailer would be one outfit in southern CA dealing with this type of trailer. I'd recommend something with a ramp and relatively big wheels (so the deck height is a bit higher and you won't need so much drop on your hitch drawbar. This helps keep the trailer from dragging on dips.

Bobbo wrote:
A call to Honda may be warranted. I vote for a small trailer. I would be very surprised if that can be towed 4 down, and even more surprised if anyone made a baseplate for it.

After clarifying that you don't mean 4 down, you mean a platform in the hitch, let me modify my earlier response.

I think you will destroy the rear end of your MH if you try to carry that much weight pressing down on the hitch. I will wager that before you get 500 miles, the hitch will be laying on the road somewhere taking part of the rear frame extension with it.

What does your MH manual say is the max weight on the hitch? If the Rubicon is 650, ready to ride, plus the mount, you are WAY over their limit. Now, don't forget that as you hit potholes, train tracks, dips, speed bumps, etc., the downward force of that weight will be multiplied briefly, but repeatedly.

I think you would stand a better chance of getting 4 down to work than a hitch mounted platform.

Momboy007 wrote:
It has been discontinued also, my hitch is rated at 500 lbs tonque weight

Rick

This subject comes up fairly frequently except usually for a scooter or motorcycle.

There are several things you need to consider. You need to know what your current "ready to go" weight is on the rear axle of the motorhome compared to the GAWR. Know the capacity of your receiver hitch - usually 350 or 500 lbs.

There is a simple formula - Know the weight of your Honda Rubicon. Add the weight for the carrier. Measure the wheelbase (distance front axle to the rear axle). Measure the distance from the rear axle to the center of your carrier. Now multiply the weight of the Honda Rubicon 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). If for example:
1. Honda Rubicon weighs 650 lbs
2. Carrier weighs 120 lbs
3. Carrier is 6 feet behind the rear axle
4. Wheelbase is 12 feet.
(650+120=770 x 6 feet = 4,620 divide by 12 feet = 385 lbs). In this example the Honda Rubicon is lifting 385 lbs from the front axle and is adding 770+385 = 1,155 lbs to the rear axle.

The above is a real possibility and it is doubtful your motorhome would handle properly, buy a small enclosed trailer.

It has been discontinued also, my hitch is rated at 500 lbs tonque weight

Rick

That's a lot of weight to hang off the back. It's going to lighten the front wheels quite a bit, possibly too much. Also, your hitch probably isn't rated for that much load. "Requires a 2" frame-mounted, class 4 or greater, 1000-lb tongue wt. rated receiver hitch"