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Topic: Hitch Weight Question (Read 922 times) previous topic - next topic

Hitch Weight Question

Looking to carry a Spyder Can Am on a lift and tow the toad.  Are there any weight issues on our coach on the rear axle and hitch? Is it do able?
John M

Can-Am Spyder Lift HLT5498s – Hydralift Motorcycle Lifts
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Hitch Weight Question

Reply #1
Lots of earlier discussions on this, I am sure there will be again. Has to do with taking weight off the front and putting it on the rear.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
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Re: Hitch Weight Question

Reply #2
Looks like the GMC may be a bit heavy when you add the bike lift. It mentions the max weights.
JohnH

Just looked up the curb weight and it is 1800k so around 4000lbs. whew just makes it.
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Hitch Weight Question

Reply #3
                             I have seen this lift a few times and at camp grounds have spoken to owners about it . Every one really liked it . Have seen it on motorhomes that I didn't think could handle the weight , but there it was and the owner said "no problem" . It looks well made and neat in design . Saw one with a Spider at Foretravel 3 years ago .    Brad Metzger
Brad Metzger
2010 Phenix 45'

Re: Hitch Weight Question

Reply #4
John,

I would suggest doing the math.  Weight of lift plus what you carry on it.  Physics of how much weight that far back of the rear axle will apply to the rear axle and how much it will REMOVE from the front axle.  As an UNPROVED example, if total weight is 1,000 pounds, you may be putting 1400 on the rear axle and removing 400 from the front axle. This will also affect steering.

Then determine if you will be putting your rear axle over its GAWR.

Weight on the hitch is another concern-- I do not know how reinforced it is for tongue weight vs towing capacity.  Probably a question for James Triana.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Hitch Weight Question

Reply #5
Looking to carry a Spyder Can Am on a lift and tow the toad.  Are there any weight issues on our coach on the rear axle and hitch? Is it do able?
John M


I have no personal experience, but jcus posted this formula for weight distribution ,includes an example.
Current Camper Until FT Purchase - Can it Be Toted?

Good Luck, Dave A
Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming

Re: Hitch Weight Question

Reply #6
I'm no expert, but the idea of placing a Spyder on one of those platforms gives me the willies.  Weight off the front axle, as wolfe mentioned.  Plus I would keep thinking of a weld or bolts breaking and the whole thing crashing down.
Hitches are designed for horizontal loads, not vertical.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Hitch Weight Question

Reply #7
My U300 unihome owners manual only allows 350 lbs of tongue weight on the rear receiver. Towing capacity is much greater.
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Gerry & Brenda
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FL
1994 Grand Villa - # 4466
U300 Unihome - 6V92 Detroit
4 speed Allison - Jake Brake

Re: Hitch Weight Question

Reply #8
Most of the heavy duty motorcycle platforms use several attachment points to the rear of the motorhome to the frame, and do not rely on  the original motorhome towing hitch. If installed properly they transfer the weight of the load to the frame. Still a big factor is the increase of weight on the rear axle.
Jim C.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Hitch Weight Question

Reply #9
We will have to take all of this info into consideration.  Thanks everyone!
John M
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Hitch Weight Question

Reply #10
John,
Saw a lift for a trike like yours in CO. It was mounted on the pickup truck, though. That would make it easy to load and unload your bike, and then put the weight on the suspension of your pickup instead of the coach.

Just a thought.

Len
Len and Deb Speiser
1999 U270 36'
2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus!--Ken Kesey
If you're lucky enough to live in a bus, you're lucky enough!

Re: Hitch Weight Question

Reply #11
I would be very careful and specific with the lift manufacturer. They need to understand the construction method regarding frame vs foretravel a own design with the front and rear clip attached to the monocoque mid sections and bulkheads.
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Hitch Weight Question

Reply #12
                 Wayne , when at Foretravel  , is the guy that installed them on Foretravels . The one I saw was very neat , clean  looking  no ragged edges . He had to come thru the fiberglass above the hitch in several places  to weld it to the frame . And that was the one to haul a Spider . Wayne is now at Old Town . I think Fortravel  messed up letting him go .      Brad Metzger
Brad Metzger
2010 Phenix 45'

Re: Hitch Weight Question

Reply #13
As much as the bulk head bolts will hold.....LOL
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
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Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Hitch Weight Question

Reply #14
Might be a bit heavy on the drive axle???

Wanted to take our EGlide when we went full-time and sold the house and stuff.  Looked at hydraulic and cable lifts attached to the back of the coach frame.  We also looked at trailers for Carol's Z4 and the EGlide.  Also thought about towing our Duramax as it had a Rampage power motorcycle ramp.  Worked very well when we had our TT years ago.  But it all got too complicated and sold the HD, BMW, Duramax and bought a rag top Jeep and a Foretravel.  :)

Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Hitch Weight Question

Reply #15
Take a look at the SW-58DW Tandem Tow by Cruizer Lift or the Idaho Tote. Remember that you are effectively adding length to the levered mass at the end of your motor home, which creates a mechanical advantage that multiplies the weight of that cycle. This is also a mass in motion moving up and down vertically further adding to the lever effect. Think catapult. You also have a very heavy motor sitting back behind the rear axle. You might get away with it for a while, but eventually it will have it's way with the frame and your emergency control. You might find hydroplaning a whole new experience with that big weight on the back, effectively changing the hydroplane speed by 5 to 10 mph or so. With xxtra weight on the back of the coach, might quckly become a puller instead of a pusher.

I speak from the experience of having a triple towed a TT and boat behind a Suburban. The  24 foot travel trailer was totaled without touching anything, just a violent swaying back and forth after a semi passed me. Frame twisted and attachment bolts in front third of trailer pulled through the floor. Looked fine after the loss of control if you didn't count every item in cabinets and fridge in the floor, boat broken loose from winch (safety chain worked), bent trailer wheel, and a strained shoulder from wheeling it down the road side to side.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.