How to mount Motorcycle on rear of 5th Wheel??

Dagwood_73 · 06-30-2007, 03:24 PM

I have a 2 year old.29' Larado 5er. Do you recon there is anyway to put a rack on the rear that would haul a 400+ lb bike?? If you were to tie into the frame with fairly strong material, would it even work?? Or would it change the physicis of everything too much??

Any ideas????

Dagwood_73 · 06-30-2007, 03:24 PM

I have a 2 year old.29' Larado 5er. Do you recon there is anyway to put a rack on the rear that would haul a 400+ lb bike?? If you were to tie into the frame with fairly strong material, would it even work?? Or would it change the physicis of everything too much??

Any ideas????

buckeyes · 06-30-2007, 03:59 PM

I have looked at this issue everyway possible, and much to my frustration, the answer is no. I have a Goldwing, and wanted to take it with me badly, but in conversations with Forest River, they convinced me that placing anything heavy on the rear of the 5'er would definately change the weight distribution of the pin box, and create all types of problems. It seems that around 150-200 pounds is about all you want to put back there, then you BETTER reinforce the frame by welding.
This can get very expensive, and needs to be done right, as it can throw the whole alignment out of the RV. I thought of pulling the bike with a trailer, but after seeing that the welding and hitch would cost so much, along with the fact that I would not be able to see what I was towing, made it all not worth it.
Sorry that I did not have better news, but I just let you know what I had learned, before I learned it the hard way. Happy RV'ing

Ray,IN · 06-30-2007, 07:15 PM

That is an ideal response, first-hand experience. Even if expense of welding up everything to tow your bike on a trailer was no problem; you would have to stay out of the many states that require the 2nd trailer to be a boat trailer.

Dagwood_73 · 07-01-2007, 04:07 AM

Thanks for the replys guys. I have welded up a heaver hitch with a 2" reciever on it. I have pulled a small trailer behind the 5er for several thousand miles. It does ok, but when we pulled it last summer, another couple followed us to Colorado, so they could watch the trailer for us. This year, wife and I will be going solo. So, it sounds like the best option is again pulling the trailer, but meybe investing in a rear camera to watch the trailer.

buckeyes · 07-05-2007, 07:25 AM

As the other responder stated, beware of the fact that "many" states have it illegal to double tow. The threat of a $400 plus ticket, having to immediately drop the trailer and find a way to get it moved, does not sound like a good time to me. If I was that serious about bringing the toys with me, then it would be time to buy a toyhauler. Good Luck, and I hope it works out for you.

TXiceman · 07-05-2007, 08:06 AM

Just taking care of the 400# scooter plus the weight of the hitch and carrying bracket is only a small part of the problem. What will kill you is the dynamics of the load when running down the road. Thing of a 400# plus mass hanging on the end of a rod and shake then start shaking it. The forces generated by the accelerating a decelerating load are several time over the static load. All of these forces are transfered to the attachment points on the frame.

As pointed out when double towing, you need to be aware of the towing restrictions, not only in your home state but also the states where you will travel. Once you start double towing, you will need to meet license requirements and overall lengths in your home state. Out side you will need to meet the towing restrictions in the states you travel through. Some states do not allow double towing at all, some restrict it to the first hitch has to be a 5th wheel and the second trailer is only allowed to be a boat.

Sounds like it is time to look for a toy-hauler.

Ken