question on on hitches on the back of fifth wheels

[RWBrothers]

I lived in a fifth wheel several years ago after getting out of the AF, I have been looking at going back to one fulltime again and I have a question on the rear hitches on fifth wheels. My question is there a way to mount a motorcycle on the back of the fifth wheel? My current bike is 500-pound wet weight and the new one I am looking at is 485lbs. I don't care for toy haulers but I do like the idea of the garage that some of the fifth wheels have. I would go that way if I have to but I really would like to get a mid bunk trailer so when I have visitors they have their own room and when not I have an office of sorts! Thanks in advance!!!

[memtb]

MFL wrote:


Like I mentioned earlier, my frame is pretty stout, and the factory installed receiver is fastened at several points, but mostly to a thick steel 3 inch solid square tubing, that runs frame to frame. It is solid! Like I said earlier, I feel the manufacturer has other reasons to under rate these receivers.

Towing a 3K utility trailer, not much of an issue, if properly loaded, but hanging 500 lbs on that hitch, such as a motorcycle will add weight to rear axle, and lighten pin.

Sounds like yours is well built, but low rated also.

Jerry

Jerry, Our hitches are likely plenty strong, just playing it safe with attorneys and litigation! I don’t think that lightening my pin weight by 500 pounds would be a bad thing! 😉

[TxGearhead]

Don't most 5th wheel toyhaulers have drop down or fold up bunks in the garage?

[MFL]

memtb wrote:
When seeing this topic, I was curious about ours and had to research. We have one of the strongest frames of the industry back in the 2000’s. I was very disappointed to find our hitch was only rated for 300 pounds vertical load. Sadly....I’ve likely exceed that! I thought is was rated @ 500 pounds! :M

Like I mentioned earlier, my frame is pretty stout, and the factory installed receiver is fastened at several points, but mostly to a thick steel 3 inch solid square tubing, that runs frame to frame. It is solid! Like I said earlier, I feel the manufacturer has other reasons to under rate these receivers.

Towing a 3K utility trailer, not much of an issue, if properly loaded, but hanging 500 lbs on that hitch, such as a motorcycle will add weight to rear axle, and lighten pin.

Sounds like yours is well built, but low rated also.

Jerry

[memtb]

When seeing this topic, I was curious about ours and had to research. We have one of the strongest frames of the industry back in the 2000’s. I was very disappointed to find our hitch was only rated for 300 pounds vertical load. Sadly....I’ve likely exceed that! I thought is was rated @ 500 pounds! :M

[TxGearhead]

just make it simple...get a Curt adjustable RV rear receiver put on your trailer and get a 6ft utility trailer with a ramp on back. If you get pulled over for double towing play dumb.

[Fisher_Bill]

I just wish we could double tow but not in my state

mt1729 wrote:
It's really not that hard to set up or to do. I built my own reciever on my 5th wh. also built my own trailer. Long tongue for stability like a boat trailer & minimal weight on back of 5th wh. Trailer weights 1200lbs empty. I haul 1800lb buggy on it. I can pick up the trailer tongue empty or loaded. I can really feel the added weight when pulling, power wise. As far as how it handles you can't tell it's there. For your needs it would be much simpler. A piece of channel iron with a light axle centered so most of the weight is on the axle when loaded, & a hitch on the other end. License it, put lights on it, strap down your bike & go. I would guess a little trailer like you need would weigh less then 250lbs.

[mt1729]

It's really not that hard to set up or to do. I built my own reciever on my 5th wh. also built my own trailer. Long tongue for stability like a boat trailer & minimal weight on back of 5th wh. Trailer weights 1200lbs empty. I haul 1800lb buggy on it. I can pick up the trailer tongue empty or loaded. I can really feel the added weight when pulling, power wise. As far as how it handles you can't tell it's there. For your needs it would be much simpler. A piece of channel iron with a light axle centered so most of the weight is on the axle when loaded, & a hitch on the other end. License it, put lights on it, strap down your bike & go. I would guess a little trailer like you need would weigh less then 250lbs.

[harley_hitchike]

talk to the guys at mightyhauler.com they may advise as to weather your 5th wheel has enough capacity to handle a lift.

[eHoefler]

Agree a swivel wheel would be the best option for you, here is one listed locally

https://springfield.craigslist.org/tro/d/shell-knob-swivel-wheel-trailer/6817133155.html

Something to keep in mind, when adding weight to the rea of the trailer, you are not only removing weight from the hitch, you are adding approximately double the weight to the axles.

[valhalla360]

It can be done but expect to weld on a lot of reinforcing and then you are likely to have a light pin weight which can negate the handling benefits of a 5th wheel. Keep in mind, the hitch ratings are assuming a trailer...hanging a bike off the back has a different dynamic loading.

Toy hauler is designed for the job and the weight distribution already accounts for the weight.

A swivel wheel trailer does a better job as at least 50% of the weight is on the trailer not on the back of your 5th wheel and you can still back up without issue.

If you are sticking to states that allow it, triple towing with a standard utility trailer is an option.

[MFL]

Ivylog wrote:

FWs have plenty of pin weight...way more than what’s needed.

WRONG^^^^^ While FWs have a lot of pin wt, most need to have at least 20 percent of total wt on the pin, and some require even more, to get a smooth tow. There are a few members here, that have actually added ballast to the front of their FW, to make it tow properly.

Jerry

[bpounds]

It's been over 50 years, but ours probably looked more like this, for lighter bikes.

[bpounds]

When I was a kid, my dad built what you might call a motorcycle tow dolly. Meaning, the front wheels were in a saddle mounted in a receiver, and the rear wheel was on the ground. The result was very little weight on the truck. And just like towing a toad 4-down, you could not back up much if any.

A quick scan of the interwebs gave me this:
Slick Wheelie MC hauler

Quick pic lifted from the site:

[Ivylog]

MFL wrote:
I'm thinking the FW manufacturer, just does not want any more weight added to rear, which takes away from the pin wt. Jerry

Maybe on TT but FWs have plenty of pin weight...way more than what’s needed. Have 2 receivers welded to the trailer rails and then a rack that slides into them. I’ve carried 2 duosports on the back of a 34’ 5er this way. Make sure the trailer has plenty of axle and tires

[wanderingaimles]

It depends on several things,,,
The 5th wheel you have,
the amount you are willing to modify it,
the amount you are willing to spend.
Along with the dollies like the Idaho Tote Idaho Tote
you also have the carriers like this,
Hydra-lift
But the Hydra lift requires a substantial 5th wheel, and the willingness to weld and modify the frame to accomidate the lift.
Good luck