Bent hitch and frame

[scarlton46]

I just returned from a trip to the desert in my 2010 Class C Solera. I carried a dirt bike on the rear hitch. The rig bounced around quite a bit while driving off-road to find a campsite. When I got home I found that the hitch and frame it attached to are bent, leaving the motorcycle sitting at a 15-20 degree angle. I'd be interested to know if this is a common problem and how to fix it. Do I need to reinforce the frame so it doesn't happen again? Do I need a stronger hitch? Would I be better off mounting a hitch to the front end? Thanks for any advice you can offer.

[bikendan]

well, i'm sure your hitch has a weight limit which you probably exceeded.
and it's not designed to take the abuse of such a heavy weight off-road.

if you plan to keep doing this, you should have a welding shop add additional bracing.
but this mod will void the frame warranty, probably.

[campdohbrew]

As bikendan mentioned a welding shop could help, but the warranty issue? Can you carry you dirt bike in the back of your pickup?

[flyrotor]

Originally Posted by campdohbrew

As bikendan mentioned a welding shop could help, but the warranty issue? Can you carry you dirt bike in the back of your pickup?

It's a class C Solera - Motorhome,

next option - trailer it, little more inconvenience but maybe better in the long run

[Triguy]

Sorry to hear about the bent frame and I wish you the best in getting that sorted out.

If you want an idea for the back of your C, I would avoid most frame mounted systems because of the issues you have already experienced. I am not sure of the specs, but I doubt that a Class C can carry much weight behind the coach.

A nifty idea I saw this summer at a State park we were at was this solution called a swivel-wheel. It fits into a 2" receiver as I recall. I like it because the wheel takes up much of the load. They make one and two-wheel systems. Here's a pic from their site ...



You can also consider carrying it on the front using a receiver mounted carrier.

With either front or back solutions, make sure to check the specs for your coach and receiver and match the carrier and bike weight as appropriate.

[Mountainmanbob]

Originally Posted by Triguy

A nifty idea I saw this summer at a State park we were at was this solution called a swivel-wheel. It fits into a 2" receiver as I recall. I like it because the wheel takes up much of the load. They make one and two-wheel systems. Here's a pic from their site ...

If the tow vehicle is to be a fifth wheel travel trailer, the trailer chassis frame needs to be evaluated for the capability of installing a Class-III or Class-IV receiver. The Chassis frame needs to be able to support the weight of the system plus any added loads. The Swivelwheel-46, Swivelwheel-58, and Swivelwheel-58DW systems will have about a 50/50 split. Installing the Swivelwheel system onto a chassis frame that does not have the capacity to handle said system could result in frame damage, slide-outs that no longer work, gel-coat cracking, etc.


so it looks like
this THING would save on 1/2 the weight
just wondering about the other 1/2
some of the frames around
seem to have problems
with ((no)) extra weight added

Mountainman

[scarlton46]

Thanks for the response. I don't have a pick-up. Just the motorhome.