Dirtbike behind 5th wheel

[jklennon]

Does anyone have experience using a hitch hauler on a 5th wheel.

My rig is 2015 jayco eagle 26.5rks 5ver with a factory installed reese hitch rated at 3000lbs and 300 lbs tongue weight.

2005 duramax diesel 2500hd crew cab standard box 4x4

My dirtbike is near 250 lbs full of fuel.
The 5er GVWR is almost 10,000lbs + 3000lbs for its trailer.

My TV CGVWR is 22,000lbs
My actual loaded and fueled ready to camp combined weight is under 17,000lbs

I live in NC so I am afraid trailering behind my 5ver is considered double towing and is not permited.

I have considered a trailer with casters but it would be expensive and maybe unnecessary.

As far as the ratings are concerned I think I am safe but I have heard that it would be to much bouncing and there are no products that would work without wheels.

[Wadcutter]

mbrower wrote:
I just travel to the outer banks and I saw plenty of commercial trucks double towing. UPS,fedex,and old dominion trucks I saw the most. Seems if its legal for them it should be legal for us. I live in NC too.

Don't assume. Commercial vehicles usually have different laws regulating what they can do.

[topjimmy]

I have been hauling a 230 pound scooter on my 2007 3500 GMC for 4 years now with a Draw- tite bolt on Front hitch and a motorcycle/scooter carrier attached with the Anti- wobble pin and believe me it is the ONLY way to go IMO,it rides rock steady and I can see it and does not block my view or airflow to my radiator and it has it's own ramp and it loads/ unloads in a minute

[jklennon]

I was thinking I would mount a rear view camera on the back of the camper anyway.That way I could monitor the way the bike reacts to the road.

[MM49]

Many people do this in my off road motorcycle club. No problems outside of you can't see the bike, so tie it down securly.
MM49

[mbrower]

jklennon wrote:
Does anyone have experience using a hitch hauler on a 5th wheel.

My rig is 2015 jayco eagle 26.5rks 5ver with a factory installed reese hitch rated at 3000lbs and 300 lbs tongue weight.

2005 duramax diesel 2500hd crew cab standard box 4x4

My dirtbike is near 250 lbs full of fuel.
The 5er GVWR is almost 10,000lbs + 3000lbs for its trailer.

My TV CGVWR is 22,000lbs
My actual loaded and fueled ready to camp combined weight is under 17,000lbs

I live in NC so I am afraid trailering behind my 5ver is considered double towing and is not permited.

I have considered a trailer with casters but it would be expensive and maybe unnecessary.

As far as the ratings are concerned I think I am safe but I have heard that it would be to much bouncing and there are no products that would work without wheels.

I just travel to the outer banks and I saw plenty of commercial trucks double towing. UPS,fedex,and old dominion trucks I saw the most. Seems if its legal for them it should be legal for us. I live in NC too.

[Veebyes]

Wanted to do the same thing. Similar weight bike plus carrier put the total weight at over 300#. That is alot to be bouncing so far behind the rear wheels. Scrapped the idea.

[MFL]

If you look at the carrier I ordered, you will see the manufacturers tie down system. I would be concerned about unexpected bumps at railroad crossings, bridges, etc. My concern would be losing the bike, maybe causing damage or injury to traffic behind me.

I just returned from a 1,000 mile trip, pulling a second trailer, with my dirt bike, and FZ1 canyon racer on it. I encountered a pavement drop off, no warning, just a sign saying construction ahead. Nothing came loose, but sure could have.

Normal driving on fairly smooth high way, I think I could get by with the carrier and dirt bike. I would strap the wheels, as well as the bike frame, and bars. My FW receiver looks very solid, with 4X4 square tubing running across to the frame. I will know more when I get the carrier this coming week.

I really think the 300# FW receiver max, is due to them not wanting any more weight, that far behind the axle.

I have no problem with the truck, and bouncing, it was ordered with 350 suspension, and tows the FW very nice.

Hope you find a solution, that works for you,
Jerry

[sue_t]

Hubby's trials bike is 160 lbs. Here's his solution; he designed the platform and we had a local welding shop put it together. The skidplate bolts to the middle hump-thing. Both ties are strapped to the carrier too. Have been over thousands of miles of gravel road and Alaska Highway frost heaves without a problem.

When the bike isn't on the rack, it makes a nice sitting platform with a built in table!

[jklennon]

MFL wrote:
I recently ordered a hitch mount for my similar sized dirt bike. It is a Rage AMC400, that only weighs 37#s.

I too have a factory receiver on my FW, rated 300# tongue weight. I did some checking, and came up with too much bounce, not recommended for FW.

I plan to use it on my truck receiver, but was hoping for the option, to use it on the FW rear too.

Even 300#s is a lot to have hanging on the rear of FW, due to it being so far behind the axles. I agree, the front of truck, would be your best choice.

Jerry

When you say too much bounce are you referring to the trailer bounce caused by the added weight becomes a problem for the truck or the normal bounce of the trailer will damage the bike?

I have found many people add frame extensions for trailers that do not come equipped from the factory with a hitch and carry much heavier motorcycles without any bouncing.

I have found many say that they could theoretically cause bounce and I understand the idea but I haven't seen evidence that it is inevitable.

[MFL]

I recently ordered a hitch mount for my similar sized dirt bike. It is a Rage AMC400, that only weighs 37#s.

I too have a factory receiver on my FW, rated 300# tongue weight. I did some checking, and came up with too much bounce, not recommended for FW.

I plan to use it on my truck receiver, but was hoping for the option, to use it on the FW rear too.

Even 300#s is a lot to have hanging on the rear of FW, due to it being so far behind the axles. I agree, the front of truck, would be your best choice.

Jerry

[fj12ryder]

I assume by "caster platform trailers" you're referring to the swivel-wheel type trailers. Don't rely on information that they are not considered trailers. It all depends on how your state's DMV labels them.

[BB_TX]

Have you tried the Jayco owners forum?

[jklennon]

I like the caster platform trailers but they are very expensive!

Is there someone who works for Jayco engineering that I could contact?

[rhagfo]

I would not do it too much weight hanging off the back of the 5er! Get a caster platform, as not considered a trailer and would not lighten the pin that much.