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01-06-2025, 07:19 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2024
Posts: 6
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Is it possible to have a scooter carrier on the rear of a 5th wheel?
I've read some information online and on some of the sites that offer scooter hitches. Most of them state "not for use on the rear of a TT or 5er. Does anybody have real world experience and can recommend a couple models?
thank you in advance!
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01-06-2025, 08:28 AM
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#2
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Community Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Full timing
Posts: 7,950
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Royalboater
I've read some information online and on some of the sites that offer scooter hitches. Most of them state "not for use on the rear of a TT or 5er. Does anybody have real world experience and can recommend a couple models?
thank you in advance!
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The hitch/receiver needs to go from frame to frame instead of just on the bumper.
We had a TT and installed a bike rack on the bumper with the recommended receiver. Eventually due to the movement, the rack pulled the bumper off the TT. Lucky part, it was only about 1/2 mile from our house at that time.
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2018 Road Warrior 427
2013 Can Am Spyder RT Limited
2017 Ram 3500 w/Aisin w/4:10
2 Dachshunds DJ (RIP 9-12-19) & Joey (RIP 5-14-21)
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01-06-2025, 09:42 AM
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#3
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Community Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 7,663
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Make sure the hitch and rack are rated for the weight of the scooter plus a safety margin. My fifth wheel hitch alone is rated for 3000 lb towing and 300 lbs tongue weight.
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2025 Riverstone 39RKFB Legacy / 2024 Ford F-350 XLT DRW 4x4 6.7L diesel crew cab long bed
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01-06-2025, 09:59 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 28,351
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Did the RV MFG of your 5th wheel offer a hitch ?
If not.....could be a reason to contact your RV MFG and inquire about adding a hitch
You didn't provide any info about your Year/Brand/Model of 5th wheel so it would just be guessing otherwise.
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I took my Medication today. HAVE YOU?
Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
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01-07-2025, 06:20 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2024
Posts: 6
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Yes, I dont own a 5er yet. But getting ready to jump in later this year. Wanted to buy a scooter for use now, and then when I start to travel with the 5er. Thanks for replying.
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01-07-2025, 06:39 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: Bohemia NY
Posts: 1,984
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The problem with trailer mounted hitches and racks is the "bounce" that occurs when the tires pass over road imperfections and the front of the trailer is held down by the truck and the leverage effect of the long overhang behind the axles.
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Dennis
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
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01-07-2025, 07:05 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: South Georgia
Posts: 30
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Amen to the bounce effect! Any bump you encounter with your tow vehicle will be greatly amplified at the end of your fifth-wheel. You absolutely want to only use a frame mounted hitch and make abso-damn-lutely sure that you have any bikes securely strapped down. Many bike racks just have the bikes sitting on some supports and have a frame hook over the bike crossbar. Strong straps are a necessity. I found out the hard way.
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01-07-2025, 08:07 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Montana, Arizona
Posts: 1,592
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It really depends on the scooter. Three wheel Harley or a Honda mini? You ask if it is possible, just about anything is, how much do you want to spend? Your future fifth wheel needs a strong frame. That's one reason I'm partial to Northwood products. Your hitch also needs to be a Class 3. Suitable for WDH use not just a piece of iron tack welded to the frame. A WDH hitch is designed to distribute the rotational force forward on the frame. Although you will not use it as a WDH, the rotational force on the rear of a trailer is similar although in the opposite direction. I'm not an engineer, but that's how my feeble mind sees it. I'd also recommend some type of stabilizer to prevent side to side wobble on the carrier. I run a ratchet strap on mine but there are bolt on stabilizers as well. If you plan on the three wheel Harley, research the Idaho totes trailers.
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2016 Arctic Fox 27-5L
2022 Chevy 3500 Duramax
2018 JLUR
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01-08-2025, 02:00 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 782
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I built my own hitch and bike carrier to carry my bike. My fiver has a very strong frame which I specifically chose so it could handle the weight of the carrier and bike ... likely over one thousand lbs. Although I built things strong enough I still have the problem of the weight hanging off the back of the trailer causing adverse handling issues. If I wanted to haul my bike more I'd probably move the trailer axles back about 20" to get my pin weight where it should be.
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2008 Citation 34.5 CKTS /2023 F350 HO Powerstroke
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01-08-2025, 08:13 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2024
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MtCamper
It really depends on the scooter. Three wheel Harley or a Honda mini? You ask if it is possible, just about anything is, how much do you want to spend? Your future fifth wheel needs a strong frame. That's one reason I'm partial to Northwood products. Your hitch also needs to be a Class 3. Suitable for WDH use not just a piece of iron tack welded to the frame. A WDH hitch is designed to distribute the rotational force forward on the frame. Although you will not use it as a WDH, the rotational force on the rear of a trailer is similar although in the opposite direction. I'm not an engineer, but that's how my feeble mind sees it. I'd also recommend some type of stabilizer to prevent side to side wobble on the carrier. I run a ratchet strap on mine but there are bolt on stabilizers as well. If you plan on the three wheel Harley, research the Idaho totes trailers.
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thank you for the detailed response. I will look up those WDH hitches you mention. Not looking at a big bike, likely a good scooter style.
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01-08-2025, 08:33 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 8,041
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Royalboater, look at toy haulers. Made for hauling toys and the garage can be used for living space in lots of them. The back door also works as a loading ramp.
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Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
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01-08-2025, 08:22 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner Grand Design Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Titusville, FL
Posts: 1,558
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Lots of advice here. Have you considered that you won't need a scooter when traveling and can use an electric bike (or your tow vehicle). It may be a safer and/or less expensive option.
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2018 F350 CC, SB
2022 F-350, CC, LB, Reese Gooseball
2019 Grand Design Solitude 310GKR
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01-12-2025, 08:02 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 322
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Camp CA
Make sure the hitch and rack are rated for the weight of the scooter plus a safety margin. My fifth wheel hitch alone is rated for 3000 lb towing and 300 lbs tongue weight.
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^^This^^
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Retired Army MGS - 1972-2000
2023 Jayco North Point 310RLTS
2023 Chevy Duramax 3500 CCLB
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01-13-2025, 07:42 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Kentwood, MI
Posts: 246
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I carried a Segway X2 on a special heavy duty custom built hitch carrier on the back of my 34 ft 5th wheel for a couple of years. In the middle of nowhere, in Canada, on our way back from Alaska, a weld on the carrier broke & the Segway dragged for several miles before I discovered it. It was totaled. Despite being heavy duty & a 2" hitch mount, the exaggerated bouncing & vibration on the rear of a trailer caused the weld to break. Carrying anything on the back of a long trailer/5th wheel is not a good idea. People do it but it's risky.
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2023 Host Yukon truck camper w/ 950 watts solar, 736 AH Expion cube lithium batteries
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