Towing the F150 will not put any tongue weight on the hitch so that 500 lb rating is a non issue. Because in Stopping/Starting you will be putting more forward/backwards on the hitch than it's rated for... I would add a pair of braces from the center receiver to the MH's rails aprox 4' in front of where the hitch fastens to the rails. These braces will look like a V (from the rear) and I would use 2" angle iron for them. They will transfer most of the forces to the rails without exceeding the hitch's rating. With a good brake system for the PU and the bike on a loading system like Fire UP uses I think you will be much happier. Also in the back of the PU the bike is going to stay cleaner.
You will also not be using up a lot of your Cargo Carrying Capacity of the MH which could be as low as 2000 lbs... should be posted behind a cabinet in it or ask the dealer. CCC is how much of your stuff you can add with the MH full of fuel and water and people.
You will also not be using up a lot of your Cargo Carrying Capacity of the MH which could be as low as 2000 lbs... should be posted behind a cabinet in it or ask the dealer. CCC is how much of your stuff you can add with the MH full of fuel and water and people.
Hypoxia is correct that MH's are allowed to have 24K rear axle since 2012. This does not mean that all MHs since then have 24K axles nor can you safely put 24,000 lbs on a 20K axle.
FireUP was 2500 lbs over his rear axle rating and probably withing his tire ratings so the world did not stop spinning, BUT he only did it for 8K miles.
OP, I realize there is nothing we can say about this as you have made your mind up. I am not hung up on going over a rating... it's just a mater of which one and by how much. You will not post what rear axle you have or how much CCC. You did let it slip that you only have a hitch rated for 5,000 lbs and we know that it is not used to mount the lift, BUT that small amount would concern me.
So, for the third time: How much CCC and what is your rear axle rated at (it's posted besides the driver's seat)?
You posted: "Problem is that the combo weighs about 7000 lbs wet and the coach is only rated to tow 5,000." For what's it's worth, I would come closer to exceeding this rating than putting 1300+ lbs that far back on the MH. By adding a V brace to the 5K hitch I'd put the bike in the back of the F150 and not worry about overloading the rear axle of the MH.
FireUP was 2500 lbs over his rear axle rating and probably withing his tire ratings so the world did not stop spinning, BUT he only did it for 8K miles.
OP, I realize there is nothing we can say about this as you have made your mind up. I am not hung up on going over a rating... it's just a mater of which one and by how much. You will not post what rear axle you have or how much CCC. You did let it slip that you only have a hitch rated for 5,000 lbs and we know that it is not used to mount the lift, BUT that small amount would concern me.
So, for the third time: How much CCC and what is your rear axle rated at (it's posted besides the driver's seat)?
You posted: "Problem is that the combo weighs about 7000 lbs wet and the coach is only rated to tow 5,000." For what's it's worth, I would come closer to exceeding this rating than putting 1300+ lbs that far back on the MH. By adding a V brace to the 5K hitch I'd put the bike in the back of the F150 and not worry about overloading the rear axle of the MH.
BigGuy82 wrote:hypoxia wrote:John S. wrote:
It is 20k per axle not total weight.
That information is obsolete.
23 USC 127
shall not apply to-
"(C) any motor home."
(A) Weight limitations.-A covered State, including any political subdivision of such State, may not enforce a single axle weight limitation of less than 24,000 pounds, including enforcement tolerances, on any vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) in any case in which the vehicle is using the Interstate System.
Great information - thanks! Of course, it also points out the absurdity of the legal system in this country. Who, except the lawyers, could ever keep track of all this stuff?
Back to the original point of this post, I finally had an in-depth chat with both the general manager of my motorhome dealer and the owner of Overbuilt. Both feel that based on hundreds of installations on single axle pushers (especially the Freightliner XCS chassis) there will be absolutely no problem with this setup. Customers report no problems, little (if any) noticeable lightening of the front end and no blown tire or control loss horror stories. Specifically I ask about overloading the remaining tire in a blowout and the comments were that the additional 1300 pounds I'm putting on the ass end won't make much difference one way or the other. If a rear tire actually blows, it will always put tremendous stress on it's mate (which really tells me if a rear tire blows, replace the pair). End of the day, I'm going forward with this and I'll post my experience once I have it.
Thanks!
Well BigGuy,
You've just re-iterated all of what I told you in my post w/pictures. In my setup, it all worked flawlessly. No one died. The sun didn't fall out of the sky, my first born is still alive, the coach handled outstandingly with the additional weight on of the bike and lift on the rear, the amount subtracted from the front, as stated, after the bike and lift were installed, was a hair over 200 lbs. Have a great time with your new setup. It's fun to have an outstanding motorcycle along with you in your travels. Good luck.
Scott
