5th Wheel rear hitch

[2001chevyturk]

I am planning on fabricating a hitch for the back of our 5th Wheel. It will be primarily for bikes but may use for other things depending on what plans I find. Have used the 2" receiver that bolts to the bumper before but I am looking to make something a little stronger as I know the bumper is not strong enough.

Have thought of fabricating a hitch to fit to the frame and use a swagman bike hitch. Have also looked at campers with the cargo rack that flip up. Does anyone have any links or photos of hitches/racks that they have added to their campers. Thanks for any ideas!!!

[packnrat]

sorry no photos right now. a bit raining outside.
but i had a two in receiver mounted to the frame of my 2001 sunny brook fifth wheel.

think over kill here. but i use mine to pull a second trailer with a cj-7 on it.

but using at least 120 wall plate steel. make a plate for each side frame rail. using at least 6 or 7 1/2-3/4 in bolts each side to hold it together. make the plates at least 3 feet long.
(spreads any and all stresses out).
cross frame 120 wall 2 in (square or round).
cross frame at least three places (four best) to prevent flexing of a side twisting of the frame. best if 2 in square tubing. (easier to attach the receiver tubing).

add a triangle bracket from the rearmost part of the receiver. out -forward to the front of this assembly. (stress thing again).

gusset everything.

add wiring as needed for towing trailer.
i use a surge brake flatbed (would love a electric brake unit) so not wired for electric brakes..for now.

for just a bicycle rack not as much needed. but DO NOT use the factory rear bumper storage thingy. as it will fail.
amazing it can hold a spare tire.


.

[2001chevyturk]

Thank you for all the photos and advice!

[richardcoxid]

Contact your 5w Mfg. and see if they mfg a “bolt on” hitch for your RV.

Hitchhiker stocks a hitch with a 2” sq receiver that “bolts on” to the mounting pads welded to the 5w frame. Complete with mounting bolts for about $250. I know I bought one for my HH 5w, then i made a rack to mount my Honda Gen to.

Maybe it could be adapted for other brands.

[Martyn]

This is my hitch showing a bike rack on it. Fabricated and installed by a good welding shop.



And this was the reason I had it installed 🙂 :

[ford_truck_guy]

Looks like a simple piece of 4 square 1/4 or 3/8 wall tube.... Nice job......

[donn0128]

Thats exactly what i did. To go along with the hitch platform i added two pads for the rear stabilizers to bolt to. Has worked well for nine years. Mine was designed to bolt onto the frame using three 3/4 inch grade 5 bolts.

[AllegroD]

You also have more weight to the rear but you are probably already considering that.

[OpenRangePullen]

Becareful on what you do, you'd be surprised how easy it is to void the warranty.

[Old-Biscuit]

Bolted to frame should be good for 300#

[jasult]

BB_TX wrote:
Before you hang anything off the back, follow someone that has one down the road and watch how badly they bounce, even on relatively level roads.

On stock bumper yes, I have been running for 5 years with my heavy bumper mod and 0 problems.

[BB_TX]

Before you hang anything off the back, follow someone that has one down the road and watch how badly they bounce, even on relatively level roads.

[jasult]

I made my own heavy duty bumper and installed 3 receivers

click here

[Ron3rd]

Don't use your bumper, it will flex and crack eventually. There just thin metal. On my last trailer, we came off the frame with some angle iron and fabricated mounts.