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Old 12-04-2017, 07:45 AM   #1
cpt_majestic
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Adding a receiver on TT

I’m trying to figure this out and I’m looking for opinions, I have a 2012 Hideout towed with a 2017 F-250 Diesel.

I need to see if there’s a way I can take my motorcycle with us on trips, the back of my truck is full with an ATV, but I want to try and take both. Has anyone ever had a receiver installed on the back of a TT that will be able to support 400lbs. plus? I know a sewer cover receiver is a no go and I’ve read about frames cracking and twisting with a receiver fabricated to the back..

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated; this has been driving me nuts.
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Old 12-04-2017, 08:04 AM   #2
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Think that would be considered double towing, illegal in most states
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Old 12-04-2017, 08:53 AM   #3
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No it's not double, I would get a motorcycle hitch rack to just plug into the receiver. Sorry for not clarifying.

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Old 12-04-2017, 08:55 AM   #4
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CPT_MAJESTIC I'd suggest doing a search here on the forum. There have been many posts in the past regarding your question as well as the related double towing that PARAPTOR brought up.
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Old 12-04-2017, 09:06 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by flybouy View Post
CPT_MAJESTIC I'd suggest doing a search here on the forum. There have been many posts in the past regarding your question as well as the related double towing that PARAPTOR brought up.
I did search, went through pages of results with nothing that helped, I'm not interested in double towing, I'm interested in adding a receiver to a TT that will support that rack with a 400 lb motorcycle on it.
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Old 12-04-2017, 09:29 AM   #6
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Travel trailer bumpers and frames are typically NOT structurally strong enough to support that much weight. Most have difficulty with 100-200 pounds. Adding a receiver MAY provide more reliability (as far as strength goes) but opens up another concern. That is hitch weight and maintaining the appropriate 10-15% of total trailer weight on the hitch.

Between the strength problems and weight (balance) problems, I'd be very reluctant to try it. Four hundred pounds of motorcycle PLUS the weight of the receiver and the mounts is going to add up to a total weight of 500 pounds or more.

As an alternative, I'd be more inclined to look at finding a way to either carry it in the truck bed (adapt a rack to carry both the ATV and the cycle) or consider a rack on the front of the tow truck.
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Old 12-04-2017, 09:46 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
Travel trailer bumpers and frames are typically NOT structurally strong enough to support that much weight. Most have difficulty with 100-200 pounds. Adding a receiver MAY provide more reliability (as far as strength goes) but opens up another concern. That is hitch weight and maintaining the appropriate 10-15% of total trailer weight on the hitch.

Between the strength problems and weight (balance) problems, I'd be very reluctant to try it. Four hundred pounds of motorcycle PLUS the weight of the receiver and the mounts is going to add up to a total weight of 500 pounds or more.

As an alternative, I'd be more inclined to look at finding a way to either carry it in the truck bed (adapt a rack to carry both the ATV and the cycle) or consider a rack on the front of the tow truck.
Yeah that's about what I've came up with, I just thought the weight for the TT would be too much, and the down side of the front of the tow vehicle (from what I've read) is blocking the headlights and possible cooling issues to the truck.

Thoughts?

It would kind of look like this

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Old 12-04-2017, 01:11 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpt_majestic View Post
Yeah that's about what I've came up with, I just thought the weight for the TT would be too much, and the down side of the front of the tow vehicle (from what I've read) is blocking the headlights and possible cooling issues to the truck.

Thoughts?

It would kind of look like this

That is exactly what I have... hitch to the front of the truck.

Years ago, on a different TT I owned, I had a hitch shop weld a class III hitch to the rear of the TT. Trouble is,... the bike takes a beating back there from being bounced around. It's the bounciest part of the setup and I was scared to death every time I traveled that the bike would shake loose.

Lee
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Old 12-04-2017, 03:16 PM   #9
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The only way I would attempt putting one on the rear of your TT would be to get the Idaho tote dolly that if installed correctly actually becomes part of your RV and isn't considered double towing. I think it can be removed by pulling some pins.
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Old 12-05-2017, 06:40 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by Lee View Post
That is exactly what I have... hitch to the front of the truck.

Years ago, on a different TT I owned, I had a hitch shop weld a class III hitch to the rear of the TT. Trouble is,... the bike takes a beating back there from being bounced around. It's the bounciest part of the setup and I was scared to death every time I traveled that the bike would shake loose.

Lee
Thanks Lee, is that a bolt on or is it welded up? If I do this that's really my only option, short of getting a toy hauler (that's a no). Do you have any headlight or cooling issues with your truck??

It looks like the Curt 31018 is a bolt on and it specs at 5000lbs? That sounds like a lot, I just emailed them to ask more
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Old 12-05-2017, 08:11 AM   #11
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Hi,

I had the Class III receiver installed to the front of the truck by a Hitch shop. It is welded and bolted to the frame rails.

Because my truck sits so high off the ground I welded up a 12" drop shank that goes into the receiver, then the motorcycle hauler slides into this and is crossed pinned like any other hitch. The drop shank I welded up also has another advantage as it moved the bike out 12" from the front of the truck. This aides air flow and also allows me to get between the bike and truck to pop the hood.

The bike does interfere with the headlight's beam some.

As for cooling issues, I have not experienced any. I have the largest 4 core radiator made that will fit my truck called a "Super-cool". Granted here in the Great North-Wet it doesn't get as hot as Arizona, but I do regularly cross a 6000ft mountain Pass while towing my TT with the bike on the front without issue.

The only downside I can see with having the bike mounted up front is that the bike gets covered in bugs.

Take care,
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Old 12-05-2017, 02:14 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpt_majestic View Post
I’m trying to figure this out and I’m looking for opinions, I have a 2012 Hideout towed with a 2017 F-250 Diesel. ...
I have a 2012 F250. I bought a hitch receiver from Amazon - the bolt holes are already in the frame. I don't sling a bike, I use it to push the trailer into sites versus backing in. It was an easy install. The link giving part number is here.
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Old 12-06-2017, 06:23 AM   #13
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I have a 2012 F250. I bought a hitch receiver from Amazon - the bolt holes are already in the frame. I don't sling a bike, I use it to push the trailer into sites versus backing in. It was an easy install. The link giving part number is here.
I'll have to look for those holes, I looked last night, but perhaps not close enough. I really appreciate your input.
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Old 12-06-2017, 03:01 PM   #14
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I'll have to look for those holes, ... I really appreciate your input.
Your are welcome. That's the beauty (and a major purpose) of this forum.

If it's not pouring buckets tomorrow, I'll crawl under the truck and take a few photos and post them.

I paid something like $177 delivered, but I have seen lower prices since then.
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Old 12-07-2017, 05:34 AM   #15
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As an update, I talked to a few places for installs yesterday and most were the bolt on type single post. However, I did find a really good fabricator yesterday and spoke with him in person and he's going to build a dual post carrier and dual receivers for me at a very good price. I'm still going to kick the idea around for the next few weeks and if I decide to pull the trigger I will in January (after xmas).

I'm also going to leave my bike with him and he will make it to give me the most headlight visibility through my fenders.
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Old 12-07-2017, 05:34 AM   #16
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I had a heavy duty bumper with a receiver welded on the back of our 5th. I've carried 2 bicycles on it. You could click on my avatar and find the post, including pics.
I also installed a Curt front receiver on the Ram. It's a Curt that I bought through Amazon at a good discount to the Curt MSRP. No holes to drill. I did have to cut a square out of the plastic chin spoiler with a Dremel tool. I carry a bicycle on it when I use the cabover.
Here is a link to Curts' receivers. Not sure if it's your specific model. 500# tongue capacity.
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/31078
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Old 12-07-2017, 07:42 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by gearhead View Post
I had a heavy duty bumper with a receiver welded on the back of our 5th. I've carried 2 bicycles on it. You could click on my avatar and find the post, including pics.
I also installed a Curt front receiver on the Ram. It's a Curt that I bought through Amazon at a good discount to the Curt MSRP. No holes to drill. I did have to cut a square out of the plastic chin spoiler with a Dremel tool. I carry a bicycle on it when I use the cabover.
Here is a link to Curts' receivers. Not sure if it's your specific model. 500# tongue capacity.
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/31078
What did you put on the front receiver? Weight wise
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Old 12-07-2017, 11:06 AM   #18
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One light Specialized "cross" bike. I do have an aluminum cargo carrier that I may use as well.
I would prefer it was a Honda dual sport 200, but I'm outvoted by my wife and my neurosurgeon.
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Old 12-08-2017, 12:29 PM   #19
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If it's not pouring buckets tomorrow, I'll crawl under the truck and take a few photos and post them.
Captain Majestic: Unfortunately the rain came and is still with us. I'll get the photos when things dry out. Here is the link for the installation for my truck. I suspect yours is similar.
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Old 12-08-2017, 06:17 PM   #20
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A solution is purely up to you, but I have seen lots of different configurations. Many of them are depicted here: http://bfy.tw/FTSH
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