Trailer Hitch on a Northwood (Fox Mountain) Fiver?

[Pat_Anderson]

OK, we have a Fox Mountain 265RL, and Northwood says installing a trailer hitch voids the frame warranty. I see many, many other fivers with a trailer hitch, what is the deal with Northwood? Does anybody have a Northwood fiver with a trailer hitch? i really need a hitch for a carrier for my Honda scooter, otherwise no way to take it on the road with us. Thoughts? Thanks!

[Pat_Anderson]

Not going to pull a boat, I need a scooter rack with a ramp for a 2014 Honda Forza, I will check with a local hitch shop. Thanks all!

[oldbiker7]

JesLookin wrote:
We have a rear hitch on our Arctic Fox, use it to haul bikes. I believe a rear hitch is a factory option, about $350 if I remember right. Ours wasn't installed at the factory, but by a hitch shop recommended by the dealer. Dealer says AF builds the frames knowing that a lot of people will be hitching up boats.

X2 - our dealer had the hitch welded on for us before we picked the trailer up - it is used for bicycles only. You might find additional info on the Northwood Owners forum: http://www.afnash.com/forum.php

[lhenry8113]

We ordered our 5'vr from Northwood MFG. and 1 of the items I ordered was a frame mounted hitch receiver. We have only used it for a dual bike rake. I noticed when we bought the bike rake it definitely said its warranty would be voided if it was used on a trailer. Have carried bikes all over and never had any problems with the rack or receiver. Lars

[Francesca_Knowl]

Pat Anderson wrote:
I am not near the fiver right now, but I think everything except the frame is warranted for 12 or 18 months but as I recall the frame warranty is 10 years - that was one of the selling points.

Since that was an important selling point, you'd be wise to check whether this kind of modification will affect or even void that part of your warranty.

Not that mfr.s EVER look for reasons to do things like that....:)

[JesLookin]

We have a rear hitch on our Arctic Fox, use it to haul bikes. I believe a rear hitch is a factory option, about $350 if I remember right. Ours wasn't installed at the factory, but by a hitch shop recommended by the dealer. Dealer says AF builds the frames knowing that a lot of people will be hitching up boats.

[Pat_Anderson]

I am not near the fiver right now, but I think everything except the frame is warranted for 12 or 18 months but as I recall the frame warranty is 10 years - that was one of the selling points. I think the chances of having a problem are very low. So nobody here has put a hitch on an Arctic Fox or Fox Mountain fiver it appears?

[I_am_still_wayn]

The frame on your RV was not designed for the stresses with towing or hauling anything on the rear, that is why they void the warranty on the frame with a hitch on the back. Putting that much stress on the frame is, apparently to the manufacturer, a recipe for frame failure.

[MFL]

My FW came with a factory hitch, and light hookup. It looks very heavy duty, and adds a huge cross brace to the frame. It does come with a warning stating 300# maximun hitch weight, that I'm sure is meant to deter over loading.

I pulled a small utility trailer, with a motorcycle on it, on an 800 mile trip one time. It pulled great, hardly knew it was there.

Jerry

[Alley_Fox]

Problem is, the manufacturer has no control over what ends up getting towed. An unscrupulous owner could claim they were only towing a small rowboat on a trailer when in fact they were towing something much heavier that damaged the frame. Northwood is famous for building their own frames from heavy "I" beam steel and I would imagine a properly designed and installed hitch used for towing a light load would not add any undue stress on the frame. I believe their warranty is 1 year so I would guess you could add the hitch then since warranty issues are moot. It's also illegal to tow doubles in Oregon so Northwood doesn't have a lot of expertise in that area to begin with.

[lawrosa]

I would agree. Are you getting a bumper type hitch? If you want to do it right you need a fabricator to weld some metal under there.

But if you dont want to void warranty the look into tow vehicle front mount hitch for the truck..



http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Cargo-Carrier/Rage-Powersports/MX600.html

[Old-Biscuit]

How long is the warranty on frame.....1 yr.---18 months---2 yrs.?

'They' don't want to be liable for frame failures (fatigue, stress cracks, twisting etc.) from somebody hauling boats, trailers, trucks cause the frame barely holds up to the 5th wheel.

You may have to beef up/add supports in order to attach a hitch.