Cargo rack back of 5th wheel

[Batten54]

I want to carry a generator (probably 6000 watt at 200 lbs.) and 2 adult bicycles on the back of my 5th wheel in the signature below.

I AM NOT GOING TO ATTACH IT TO THE FACTORY BUMPER! OK, that should calm everybody down...lol.

I'm having a trailer shop design and weld a hitch to the frame that will not even touch the bumper. Like a HD hitch on my F250...sort of. They have done this many times on 5th wheels so they are not trying to figure it out on mine.

What I need is photos of racks mounted. I haven't found one wide enough to put a gen. like a Champion and two bikes. I may have to have them make one...?

Thanks

[fvstringpicker]

I'm somewhat looking for the same information. I've seen pictures and descriptions of cargo carriers that fit the standard 2" receiver that allow bike racks to be installed on the rear of the carrier but I don't know if they work as described.

[Unplanned Tourist]

You should be fine with around the 250 pounds, but be careful you don't go much higher. A friend of ours built a rack to carry his quad on. Built it nice and strong, welded to the frame, not bumper, but after a couple of trips from Canada to Southern Az., the frame broke just ahead of the welded on brackets!

[Batten54]

Originally Posted by Unplanned

You should be fine with around the 250 pounds, but be careful you don't go much higher. A friend of ours built a rack to carry his quad on. Built it nice and strong, welded to the frame, not bumper, but after a couple of trips from Canada to Southern Az., the frame broke just ahead of the welded on brackets!

WOW! Wonder how heavy the quad was?

The Keystone rep for the Sprinter line said 500# was fine. He did advise me to have a hitch welded to the frame...not just bolted.

[Skip426]

JMHO: Having used a cargo rack , mounted by a single center mounted 2" bar, I wouldn't do it again . If necessary I'd use 2 ; 2" receivers , one under each frame rail and fabricate the cargo rack the same way.
The single center mount of the cargo rack , allows the rack to rock side to side ; WITH EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD ; eventually , the rack will start to flex tearing apart the welds , or more correctly the metal next to the welds , and if not noticed the rack and contents can drop on the road.
Have a look at the factory slide out racks that are an option on some 5ers, they appear to be built to last.
Also , any weigh added behind the rear bumper on a trailer , lowers your pin weight , any pin weigh reduction below 15 % of the total loaded weight on a 5er, will effect handling , in ways you'd rather not experience.
( Don't ask how I know this. )

[Twilightzone]

Northwood factory (Arctic Fox/Fox Mountain) can provide 2" brackets in the back of 5th wheels. I think they rate it for 350lbs tongue weight (vertical).

IMHO: Crawled under there and it is pretty solidly welded to the frame.
Northwood has big heavy frames... but I think you gotta be careful
with frames on some other trailers.

[Batten54]

Originally Posted by Skip426

JMHO: Having used a cargo rack , mounted by a single center mounted 2" bar, I wouldn't do it again . If necessary I'd use 2 ; 2" receivers , one under each frame rail and fabricate the cargo rack the same way.
The single center mount of the cargo rack , allows the rack to rock side to side ; WITH EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD ; eventually , the rack will start to flex tearing apart the welds , or more correctly the metal next to the welds , and if not noticed the rack and contents can drop on the road.
Have a look at the factory slide out racks that are an option on some 5ers, they appear to be built to last.
Also , any weigh added behind the rear bumper on a trailer , lowers your pin weight , any pin weigh reduction below 15 % of the total loaded weight on a 5er, will effect handling , in ways you'd rather not experience.
( Don't ask how I know this. )

I may just do a bicycle rack this trip. But for a rack for generator, gas can, bikes, or combo of stuff the two point attachment is what I had in mind. I saw and took photos of one at NASCAR Texas Speedway last fall. He even had a dropdown ramp to roll his Gen. up on. I think that's the long term solution...similar to the factory racks.

[Twilightzone]

>"The single center mount of the cargo rack , allows the rack to rock side to side ; WITH EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD..."

With a centered rack... gotta be careful to get a mount that prevents flexing in the rack. There are a number of them out there as '3rd party' stuff. Here's an example.

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by Twilightzone

Northwood factory (Arctic Fox/Fox Mountain) can provide 2" brackets in the back of 5th wheels. I think they rate it for 350lbs tongue weight (vertical).

IMHO: Crawled under there and it is pretty solidly welded to the frame.
Northwood has big heavy frames... but I think you gotta be careful
with frames on some other trailers.

Twilightzone ; Welcome to iRV2
First post I see .

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by Twilightzone

With a centered rack... gotta be careful to get a mount that prevents flexing in the rack. There are a number of them out there as '3rd party' stuff. Here's an example.

Well controlling the twist ( rocking ) at the attachment to the vehicle this support doesn't help , the under side of the cargo rack, it still flexes and can fail.

[Unplanned Tourist]

Originally Posted by Batten54

WOW! Wonder how heavy the quad was?

The Keystone rep for the Sprinter line said 500# was fine. He did advise me to have a hitch welded to the frame...not just bolted.

Probably around 7-800 pounds plus accessories and weight of the rack. Adds up in a hurry to close to 1000 pounds!

[MtnTrek]

This rack does very well with our power assisted folding bikes, About 60# ea. (Travel cover removed) Carrier is about 70#
https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Cargo...ola/59502.html
We opted for the optional LED lighting that ties into the trailers 7 prong harness. By the letter of the law we should have the trailers tag displayed on the rack. There are mounting holes provided.
Most of the carriers I researched are in the neighborhood of 24"x 60"
I can envision your need for a generator & two bikes being a challenge.
Perhaps with a vertical strut welded off the main mount for the bikes inverted ?
Best of luck

[pchuckie]

What kind of bikes are those, the look like they'd perform well in the sand.

[Twilightzone]

>"What kind of bikes are those, the look like they'd perform well in the sand."

Radmini Bikes.

Electric folding bikes... https://www.radpowerbikes.com/pages/radmini
Dunno if they would perform well in loose/dry sand though.

Caught my eye tho.