Carrying a dirt bike on the hitch of bumer pull TT?

[Colorado71]

I want to get a hitch installed on the rear of my TT so I can carry a dirt bike.

The bike is 220lb, probably closer to 240 wet. The travel trailer is a Nash 19B (has a heavy duty off road frame and is ~ 5,000lb ready to go). It also has had it's axle's flipped so it sits about 6" higher.

The truck is a plenty capable QCLB 3/4 Ton Ram with the 5.9 Cummins/6spd manual tranny.

But 300 odd pounds that far over the rear of the TT is going to lower the tongue weight a LOT! I'd imagine I'd need to lower the ball on the hitch to get the tongue weight back where it needs to be. But how much is the question.

Or are there other factors that make this a bad idea? What are your thoughts guys?

[Colorado71]

That swift setup looks good. The Nash is pretty busy up front with a window and the two 30 gal LPG tanks etc. I'm sure it could be worked around by extending the frame, but it's probably easier to just ditch the topper.

I appreciate all the helpful responses. You guys think of everything!

[camperdave]

BarneyS wrote:

camperdave wrote:
snip...
Ditch the weight distribution?

That would help with the overloaded front axle of the truck BUT it could add additional problems that are even worse. It could overload the rear axle and/or the receiver of the truck. It would not change the tongue weight at all so all the weight of the tongue would be carried by the receiver and truck rear axle plus the weight leveraged off of the trucks front axle. Not a good situation.
Barney

perhaps. But a 20' trailer with a 3/4 ton Dodge would seem pretty safe on the rear axle even without WD.

Here's another option: :B



He had the tongue of the trailer extended by a fab shop.

[BarneyS]

camperdave wrote:
snip...
Ditch the weight distribution?

That would help with the overloaded front axle of the truck BUT it could add additional problems that are even worse. It could overload the rear axle and/or the receiver of the truck. It would not change the tongue weight at all so all the weight of the tongue would be carried by the receiver and truck rear axle plus the weight leveraged off of the trucks front axle. Not a good situation.
Barney

[2500_Grunt]

Colorado71 wrote:

2500 Grunt wrote:
I did this but it is a 30' TT not 19': http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27277716/gotomsg/27279645.cfm#27279645

Nice work. Did you do a before and after measurement of the tongue weight? How much did that gen set weigh?

Also someone else mentioned adding more batteries up front, but there are already 2 30gal propane tanks and two 12 volt batteries, so no real need for, more other than for the weight.

I never weighed only the tongue weight. I also had a 400# Yamaha Raptor 350 on the back of it too (by itself) with my other larger rack. It significantly lowered my tongue weight to the point where I must have the fresh water tank of 60 Gal. full whenever towing but it's not in any way a safety issue. Trailer spec's: 5500# dry and 7800 (GVWR.cat scaled). The Onan is 235# dry and I also have a 5 gal. fuel tank/can that I strap to the rack too. I would put a hitch on the front of your truck. I did that with my Ford Expedition years ago for my yz450F and it worked perfect.

[camperdave]

carringb wrote:

powderman426 wrote:

stein4 wrote:
put a hitch on the front of the truck to carry the bike

I see this as the best answer. Also with a receiver on the front you have options such as using a winch or having a storage platform when not carrying the bike.

Most 3/4-ton diesels are already maxed out on front axle weight.

Ditch the weight distribution?

[Colorado71]

2500 Grunt wrote:
I did this but it is a 30' TT not 19': http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27277716/gotomsg/27279645.cfm#27279645

Nice work. Did you do a before and after measurement of the tongue weight? How much did that gen set weigh?

Also someone else mentioned adding more batteries up front, but there are already 2 30gal propane tanks and two 12 volt batteries, so no real need for, more other than for the weight.

[2500_Grunt]

I did this but it is a 30' TT not 19': http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27277716/gotomsg/27279645.cfm#27279645

[carringb]

powderman426 wrote:

stein4 wrote:
put a hitch on the front of the truck to carry the bike

I see this as the best answer. Also with a receiver on the front you have options such as using a winch or having a storage platform when not carrying the bike.

Most 3/4-ton diesels are already maxed out on front axle weight.

[Colorado71]

Thanks guys. Looks like it's a bad idea. I will have to loose the topper and put the bike in the bed.

I'll also consider the hitch on the front of the truck. However, I'd probably crash the truck since I'd get distracted thinking about riding the bike lol.

[powderman426]

stein4 wrote:
put a hitch on the front of the truck to carry the bike

I see this as the best answer. Also with a receiver on the front you have options such as using a winch or having a storage platform when not carrying the bike.

[BarneyS]

I agree with the above. Lowering the ball will not change the tongue weight to any big extent.

The whole idea, in my opinion, is a very bad idea. The addition of all that weight, far behind the trailer axles on that small of a trailer, will make the tongue so light as to probably make the trailer un-towable. (is that a word? :W) I would live with taking the topper off and hope it doesn't rain.
Barney

[dodge_guy]

Lowering the ball will do nothing for tongue weight. Why not put it in the bed?

[stein4]

put a hitch on the front of the truck to carry the bike

[Francesca_Knowl]

That's an awful lot of weight/leverage to add to a trailer bumper. Most aren't designed to carry much more than a sewer hose and a spare tire. Weakest point is often the welds.

I wouldn't automatically assume that since the frame's heavy duty the same is true of the bumper. You might inquire of the mfr. as to limits there, or at least get the opinion of an experienced welder.