Rear Receiver

trashygasman · 02-26-2014, 06:01 PM

Planning on getting a '14 Cougar 301SAB in the future. Was wondering if anyone has installed a receiver hitch on the back of a trailer that has the new slide out bike rack on the back? It has some kind of rails built into the rear of the frame. Kind of glanced at it the other day when we were looking, but was wondering if it is doable. I plan on pulling a 20' boat behind it.

jw99 · 02-26-2014, 08:44 PM

The bike rack only has a 200 lb weight limit. The metal frame is just too weak to pull anything.

trashygasman · 02-28-2014, 10:31 PM

I need to go back and look closer at the way it is made. I love the trailer, but a big factor in getting one is being able to tow behind it.,

therink · 03-01-2014, 05:16 AM

I am pretty sure the frame warranty would be void if modifications are made to add a hitch to pull a boat that size. The frames are not factory designed for that kind of load.

cabinfever · 03-01-2014, 07:58 AM

I am thinking there are no TTs or 5ers built with pulling another trailer in mind. When you go take that second look, take someone from a fab shop with you and get their opinion on adding a sub-frame and hitch. It may cost a little to accomplish what you want.

**JRTJH** · 03-01-2014, 08:05 AM

trashygasman,

therink is correct, if you modify the trailer frame, it will void your Keystone warranty. Check the website here: http://www.keystonerv.com/customer-s.../owners-manual

It will lead you to the owner's manual. When you read the Warranty and exclusions, you'll see what we are talking about.

Also, In your profile indicates your are in Oklahoma. Here are two links to triple towing laws in various states:
http://towingworld.com/towinglawsbystate.cfm?state2=OK
http://www.readybrake.com/state_laws.html

According to the information about triple towing in that state, 65' is the maximum two trailer length and 65' is the maximum triple tow length. I would suggest you check with your local state police to confirm this information.

We gave a F250 and a 30' fifth wheel. We regularly tow a 18' bass boat behind our trailer. Our total length is 73' and the Michigan maximum is 75'.

The Cougar 301SAB is listed as 34' long. Unless you can find a way to shrink the length of your fifth wheel, your rig is going to be significantly longer than the 65' limit imposed by Oklahoma and even longer than the 75' here. I've never seen any length limit longer than 75', so I'm thinking you should look carefully at the laws and the equipment you're considering before you chunk down your deposits.

Trent McCain · 03-01-2014, 09:05 AM

Excel and NuWa could be had with factory receiver hitches for towing. I need to get something fabricated for our Copper Canyon. I have a hitch that mounts to the bumper. Only used it twice with no issues. Read several posts on here about folks tearing the bumper off, so before I have an issue, we will have a real hitch built.

Trent

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

trashygasman · 03-01-2014, 04:29 PM

The length laws are not enforced in OK. My grandparents have pulled 35' total length 5ers with 17-19' bass boats for yrs around here and now my parents own the same trailer that my dad pulls his 18' bass boat behind. If I do put a hitch on, I will probably build one that bolts to the frame somehow so as not to weld on the frame.

SAD · 03-02-2014, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trashygasman

The length laws are not enforced in OK. My grandparents have pulled 35' total length 5ers with 17-19' bass boats for yrs around here and now my parents own the same trailer that my dad pulls his 18' bass boat behind. If I do put a hitch on, I will probably build one that bolts to the frame somehow so as not to weld on the frame.

If you're in Washington, OK (as opposed to Washington County).... You're near OKC...

Before I got my Avalanche, I had a toy hauler fitted with a custom hitch. These guys made it... They also wired it up for flat-4 lighting. I pulled 2 jet skis behind my 5er all over Oklahoma.

http://www.jandihitch.com/Home/

trashygasman · 03-02-2014, 01:51 PM

I am in the town of Washington.

st_pinetree · 03-06-2014, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trashygasman

Planning on getting a '14 Cougar 301SAB in the future. Was wondering if anyone has installed a receiver hitch on the back of a trailer that has the new slide out bike rack on the back? It has some kind of rails built into the rear of the frame. Kind of glanced at it the other day when we were looking, but was wondering if it is doable. I plan on pulling a 20' boat behind it.

Not sure on the Cougar, the "reciever" on the back of my Laredo would be lucky to carry a couple bicycles. I had a fab shop tie in a class 3 receiver hitch to the trailer frame. They had to relocate (lower) the electric stabilizers, but it's a nice clean install, and will give me confidence pulling my boat. Cost me $700 including the wiring.

bsmith0404 · 03-08-2014, 06:07 AM

I've had 2" receivers on all of my 5ers. Each time the fab shop at the dealer welded them in place to the frame. I've heard of "self fabricated" installs on bumpers pulling bumpers off. I've towed 17' boats as well as 16' ATV trailers without issues. Wyoming length law is 80' so I never had an issue with that while I lived there. I now live in IL where it is 65'. My dad also tows a trailer behind his, the law in his state is 65', he is at 72'. A friend of his (police officer) told him they typically do not enforce the laws, but if there is an accident, they will pull out the tape measure as part of the investigation.

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