Towing with 8265WS

[CashRanger]

First, I'm new to RV'ing and fifth wheel trailers. I bought a 2012 Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8265WS with the intent of towing our boat behind it (triple tow). Of course the RV salesman said that we could tow with it (but realize that he was a salesman....) but since then I've heard that one should not tow with the Ultra Lite trailers (that was from Forest River). I understand that this will void the factory warranty, if there was one but there is none.

I'm looking for advice on whether I can have a shop weld a hitch on and safely tow a 4200 lb boat/trailer without damaging the frame of the fifth wheel. Has anyone done this successfully with a Signature Series Ultra Light? If so, how much are you towing? Did you do extra bracing for the frame?

If I do continue with this, do I need to have them add bracing to the frame that extends over the axels to carry the weight?

Anyone know of a diagram of the frame for this trailer?

The recommended local shop that the dealers send people to say that they can weld a hitch on with a 350 lb tongue weight but also recognize that he doesn't deal with the consequences if he's wrong... Sure the hitch will be fine but of course I'm worried about the frame.

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

[B and B]

If I was doing this I would weld a subframe to the frame top spread the weight out further in on the trailer. The static load is not the issue, metal fatigue of flexing and twisting is.

[CashRanger]

I decided against installing the hitch today after reviewing the trailer on site with the professionals at the weld shop. Once they actually saw the I-beams he started to acknowledge how thin they were and what they'd have to do for a proper job.

Extremely disappointed in not being able to tow with this trailer as it's a nice trailer. Chalk it up as a learning experience. Going to start a new thread to ask which trailer would be best to do this with.....


Thanks again for your thoughts on this subject.