Hey Guys newbie here, hope I found the right forum for my question. I've just put down a deposit on a 2018 Tracer 24DBShttp://primetimerv.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=475&Image=24433&ModelID=3690#MainI want to add a receiver to the rear of the trailer so that I can use a "hitch hauler" to haul two dirt bikes (less than 500lbs, more than 400) My wife is FREAKING out that I want to do this because when you read the fine print Tracer says that you cannot add anything to the bumper or the rear of the frame. Now common sense tells me that this frame is a pretty beefy piece of I Beam steel. I have a buddy that's a fabricator (and mechanical engineer) and we were planning to either use one of the standard recievers below that appear to support up to 500lbs tongue weight or fab something up ourselves. So what do you guys say, should I listen to the wife or am I right that it's not a big issue and I won't have any problems? http://www.buyautotruckaccessories.com/curt-adjustable-rv-trailer-hitch-cur13701.html?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SC_PLA_CURT%20Manufacturing&utm_term=1100404023410&utm_content=CURT%20Manufacturing%20-%20All

Well Sir, I'm by far, no expert on those type of trailers but, of the ones I have sort of, "inspected" or, maybe looked under, the frames are not very strong. Yes, they're designed to do what's needed to support the load placed on them from the factory but, not much more than that. Let's just say the two dirt bikes are right at 500#. Then, the hitch, and any possible additional supports, are say, about 75#. Now, while the hitch is bolted or, welded to the original frame, the load on that hitch, is out considerably farther. So, there's a cantilever effect here. And since that frame is not all that stout in the first place, the potential for bending that frame and or, doing what's called "collateral" damage is highly possible too. Collateral damage being something like, damaging some floors, cabinet fitting, and things like that. Cantilevering leverage is a lot more of an issue that one realizes. It's quite OK if the original frame is stout enough to handle additional forces. But, if it's not, then it will bend and, when that happens, things attached to it, on the top of it, will be affected too. So, I'm kinda like you, I like to think outside the box and challenge certain situations. But, this one, if I were you, I'd do some serious thinking and or, if there's a way to beef that frame of that trailer up, PRIOR to adding the hitch, I'd seriously consider it. Scott

I would bet that the rear bumper isn't even close to being capable of carrying that load. Also, that's way, way too much weight on the back for handling purposes. I hate to say it but yur wife is right.

ScottG wrote:I would bet that the rear bumper isn't even close to being capable of carrying that load. Also, that's way, way too much weight on the back for handling purposes. I hate to say it but yur wife is right.I am not considering attaching this to the bumper, I would attach directly to the frame.

I had a Primetime Crusader FW and the short answer is NO they will not support anything but a spare if it on there, if you modify the frame it will void your warranty. I now have a Grand Design and it has a hitch on the back and will only support 300#

FIRE UP wrote:Well Sir, I'm by far, no expert on those type of trailers but, of the ones I have sort of, "inspected" or, maybe looked under, the frames are not very strong. Yes, they're designed to do what's needed to support the load placed on them from the factory but, not much more than that. Let's just say the two dirt bikes are right at 500#. Then, the hitch, and any possible additional supports, are say, about 75#. Now, while the hitch is bolted or, welded to the original frame, the load on that hitch, is out considerably farther. So, there's a cantilever effect here. And since that frame is not all that stout in the first place, the potential for bending that frame and or, doing what's called "collateral" damage is highly possible too. Collateral damage being something like, damaging some floors, cabinet fitting, and things like that. Cantilevering leverage is a lot more of an issue that one realizes. It's quite OK if the original frame is stout enough to handle additional forces. But, if it's not, then it will bend and, when that happens, things attached to it, on the top of it, will be affected too. So, I'm kinda like you, I like to think outside the box and challenge certain situations. But, this one, if I were you, I'd do some serious thinking and or, if there's a way to beef that frame of that trailer up, PRIOR to adding the hitch, I'd seriously consider it. ScottI am not saying you're wrong but the frame doesn't look any smaller than my truck's frame and the recievers for the hitches to attach to trailers say they're rated at 500lbs... Not being an ask hole here.. Someone who asks for an answer and then denies the person answering but sort of thinking out loud. How much tongue weight do you guys that dingy tow put on trailers?

Adding a Hitch To The Trailer | Good Sam Community

klutchdust
Explorer II
Apr 12, 2018
Dadoffourgirls wrote:
I just hope biker comes back in 10 years and tells us he was right, and not his wife coming on to tell us he was wrong!

And I will not bother to find the picture of my broken frame from the 4 bike carrier that was attached to the frame rails

Doubtful. Having spent my career both building/repairing semi trailers and other road traveling equipment I can say that the failure rate of his project is almost certain. The frames they use today in trailer builds isn't like it used to be and cracked frames and broken goosenecks even on high dollar rigs is frequent.
The man came on here looking for enough people to co-sign his project believing that would be sufficient. His will be a lesson hard learned to match his hard head.
Dadoffourgirls
Explorer
Apr 12, 2018
I just hope biker comes back in 10 years and tells us he was right, and not his wife coming on to tell us he was wrong!

And I will not bother to find the picture of my broken frame from the 4 bike carrier that was attached to the frame rails
Bob_E_
Explorer
Apr 12, 2018
Have you considered a Diamond Back Truck Bed Cover?

https://diamondbackcovers.com/

Just load the bikes on top of the cover and you can close the tailgate even if the back tires hang off a bit. They aren't cheap. But until you spend what it would take to do the mods to your trailer to do it right, it would likely be a wash. And a lot safer too.
MWJones
Explorer
Apr 12, 2018
JAMES57,
There is a LOT of difference in a TT and a 5th WHELLER !!!
Also a lot of difference in 130lbs and 500 LBS!!!!
James57
Explorer
Apr 12, 2018
I have done it with two 5th wheel campers
no problem. Pulled 16 ft. trailer with a 1300lb.
sxs never any problem
lewisr
Explorer
Apr 11, 2018
Don’t know what they are called and can’t find a picture. But you might try this. It’s a small “trailer” that attaches to the rear of your trailer at 2 points, right and left. It has 2 wheels that support the weight of whatever is on it. The 2 wheels will pivot 360 degrees. It’s basiclly an extension of your trailer.

Edit: found a pic
https://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=73699
drsteve
Explorer
Apr 08, 2018
Did the CHP mention this, which is from page 28 of the California DMV's Recreational Vehicles and Trailers Handbook?

"You may only tow one vehicle with your noncommercial class A, B, or C driver's license. You may not tow two vehicles with a noncommercial class A, B, or C driver's license. Example: you may not tow a boat trailer and a car." Sounds like you may need a driver's license upgrade, if you don't have it already.

You may want to talk to them again to clarify what's going on.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/28423ba0-bba6-4347-9e21-db274e970772/dl648.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
4x4ord
Explorer III
Apr 08, 2018
I built a lift for the back of my fiver for a 700 lb bike. I haven't welded it to the trailer yet. I am a little concerned about the weight that will be removed from my pin even though I will still have about 1800 lbs of pin weight after loading the bike. I am prepared to either add a third axle or move my existing axles closer to the back of the trailer if need be. My trailer has frame rails that are 18" deep and I used considerable caution in designing a hitch that can transfer the weight of my bike into the trailer frame rails without tearing away from the frame. The frame is deep but it is constructed of a lighter wall thickness than what would be ideal. I will be bolting and welding my hitch to the trailer. I am using two 2x4 inch hitch receivers and adding two cross members in order to transfer the stresses into the frame rails. The weight of the hitch and carrier is over 400 lbs.

With out seeing your set up I am not going to say much but my gut feeling is that your best solution is to buy a truck with an 8 foot bed and carry your bikes on the truck.
TheDirtBiker
Explorer
Apr 08, 2018
mkirsch wrote:
Earlier you claim you know about proper trailer balance.

If you can put enough weight in the front of the trailer to counterbalance the bikes, there's no problem.

However, people with NOTHING on the rear of their trailers frequently have problems finding enough stuff to put in the front of the trailer to achieve a stable tow.

What are you going to put in the front of the trailer to counterbalance the bikes on the back?
In the moto forum I participate in the folks who've done this successfuly with similar trailers load all of their gear in the front of the trailer. I'll probably end up going to two 6 volt batteries up front for additional capacity and weight, add my generator, ice chest, fuel for the bike etc. It doesn't sound like it takes too much to get it balanced with only one bike in the rear.

I've got a scale nearby where I can weigh the tongue weight before and then make modifications and weigh it again. But again with only 1 225lb motorcycle from the folks I've spoken with it's not difficult to balance things at all.
deltabravo
Nomad
Apr 05, 2018
TheDirtBiker wrote:
Now common sense tells me that this frame is a pretty beefy piece of I Beam steel.

Have you seen the frame?

Who is the frame made by, LCI (Lippert?)

Some frames I've seen from Lippert are 3 pieces of steel welded together to make the shape of an I-Beam.

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