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Old 02-16-2019, 11:54 AM   #1
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Frame Strength

I'm going to preface this question with "I know the manufacturer says no, and Lippert will void the warranty".....


And....I don't need input on the legalities of it....I can google and read the law....


Not trying to be a smart ass, but want to keep it on topic.



Do you think the frame is stout enough to put a real trailer hitch on it and double tow a jeep behind it?
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Old 02-17-2019, 05:51 AM   #2
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Not an engineer but I would bet the actual frame is rigid enough. It's the thin, metal crossbar that it the issue. For the life of me, I can't understand why a thicker hitch bar isn't installed. I know it is supposedly rated for 150 lbs., bu when I put my aluminum bike rack, bike and folding chairs on it (90 lbs), it flexes and bounces like mad. Only a matter of time before metal fatigue. When I head home after season, off to a fabricator and having a real piece of metal welded to the cross member to add rigidity.
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Old 02-17-2019, 07:09 AM   #3
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Hello,

I doubt the frame can haul a jeep. Its just not the weight the stress placed by the pict and yaw of the jeep as you travel will twist and flex the trailer frame. Not sure how you would handle double braking in a double towed rig? That would be a concern. Maybe get a tractor with a day cab and put the Jeep up there.

This is not a good idea for technical reason. Law and liability you know the answer from Google.

Biggest question is why? If you really need your jeep have another person drive it.
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Old 02-17-2019, 07:16 AM   #4
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I had a bike rack back there, way to light of a tube for comfort. I don't carry them back there now!
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Old 02-17-2019, 07:43 AM   #5
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No, i dont think that youd be ok. The trailer would probably destroy itself in a couple of years if you used that setup too often. The frames are not really that great. They seem to allow for a decent amount of flex. I would expect that all kinds of issues would pop up i.e. seam issues.

I have 36 ft trailer end to end with opposing slide outs. I installed BAL leveling jacks 2 ft. behind the wheels so i could level the trailer within the spring travel range without using blocks. I was not able to close the slides with the jacks down due to the frame lift distorting the slideout opening.

I dont recommend that you pursue it.
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Old 02-17-2019, 08:19 AM   #6
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There is a reason why Lippert told you not to other than it will void the warranty. Called safety and Liability and there engineers know what the capabilities of there frames are. Id forget it as you already have a vehicle to drive.

Your profile doe not list you having the Riverstone 5er. If you have not purchased yet consider the ATC toy hauler as it has a 25 ft garage and your jeep will fit very nicely. Later RJD
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Old 02-17-2019, 08:20 AM   #7
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Nope
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Old 02-17-2019, 08:29 AM   #8
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Don't do it if you value the safety of you, your family and anyone around you
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Old 02-17-2019, 08:39 AM   #9
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Thanks for all the feedback! I didn't think the trailer frame would be up to the task, but wanted to see what others thought.



I know we can simply drive another vehicle, but we're full time and travel a bit, so it would be nice to have the option to drive together on longer travel days, should we go with two vehicles at some point.


I don't have a Riverstone yet, just considering the options available. Currently have the Cedar Creek in my signature, looking for something a little heavier duty.
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Old 02-17-2019, 08:44 AM   #10
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https://www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Camp...urt/13703.html
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Old 02-17-2019, 08:48 AM   #11
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Have you given any thought to the HDT set ups? There will be a very good rally in May in Crossville Tn. that might be worth attending to get a up close look at them and great info from folks that have been doing it for a while; There is also another one in Id. in June and also in Oct. in Hutchinson Ks. We are going on 5 years with our set up and it has worked out well for us, our rule is I drive the truck and she drives the Smart so for sightseeing I get a break. Some do load Jeeps as well but worth a look to see what could work for you. Good luck and hope to meet you on the road somewhere.
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Old 02-17-2019, 08:50 AM   #12
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I'm not looking for feedback on the factory installed hitch - would have a real trailer hitch welded on. I'm after the actual trailer frame strength.
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Old 02-18-2019, 06:04 AM   #13
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Thinking you should get an engineer or frame manufacturer to give you facts. Something like this you don't want opinions or guesses on. Don't think you will find an answer you could hang your hat on in any forum.
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Old 02-18-2019, 10:05 PM   #14
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Funny, I just had another online acquaintance talk about this today. His goal is to double tow a vehicle.

They upgraded to the MorRyde Independent Suspension and added disc brakes.

When MorRyde does the IS, they beef up the frame.

That’d be about the only way I would consider it- with someone looking at the whole frame and designing a solution from there.

I doubt any stock frame is up to the task.
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Old 02-18-2019, 10:58 PM   #15
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Funny, I just had another online acquaintance talk about this today. His goal is to double tow a vehicle.

They upgraded to the MorRyde Independent Suspension and added disc brakes.

When MorRyde does the IS, they beef up the frame.

That’d be about the only way I would consider it- with someone looking at the whole frame and designing a solution from there.

I doubt any stock frame is up to the task.

MorRyde does put a box frame where they install the suspension, so you get about 4-5 feet of reinforcement, plus two crossmembers to provide some additional strength.


To be honest, my biggest concern is with the pinbox/front deck area, as I think that's the weakest link. I'm also gun shy, as mine has broken before.


I've found some older fivers that have the frame to pull it off - currently have my eye on a Travel Supreme that not only has the frame, but has triple 8k axles on a 40 foot frame. Will see how it looks in person.


From the responses here, it doesn't sound like Riverstone will cut it.
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Old 02-19-2019, 08:12 AM   #16
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For what it's worth I myself would not try it with our River Stone, we have put hitches of previous units for bike racks on the rear and was not impressed enough to continue to use them as the bounce could not be eliminated. Travel Supreme was one tough built unit hope that works out for you. Have you looked at any of the reconditioned units at Kansas RV the former Hitchhiker builder?
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Old 02-19-2019, 08:18 AM   #17
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For what it's worth I myself would not try it with our River Stone, we have put hitches of previous units for bike racks on the rear and was not impressed enough to continue to use them as the bounce could not be eliminated. Travel Supreme was one tough built unit hope that works out for you. Have you looked at any of the reconditioned units at Kansas RV the former Hitchhiker builder?

Yeah, I keep an eye on them, hoping to find one that is interesting.


Surprisingly enough, my current trailer has a pretty smooth ride in back. I've used a camera to watch it from time to time, and there isn't much bouncing. I was impressed.
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Old 02-19-2019, 08:32 AM   #18
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I say find a local fab shop and have them take a look at how the underside of the trailer is built. I bet most will say it is doable. Since you would be pulling the weight, the stresses are much different than putting a carrier on the back. A carrier with a couple hundred pounds of weight may put more stress on the trailer than a properly installed hitch pulling 3500-4000LBS. With all that said, I would not pull a 4000LB anything behind the trailer. That's just too much Murphy's Law going on. Good luck with what you decide to do and more important be safe.
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Old 02-19-2019, 09:00 AM   #19
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MorRyde does put a box frame where they install the suspension, so you get about 4-5 feet of reinforcement, plus two crossmembers to provide some additional strength.


To be honest, my biggest concern is with the pinbox/front deck area, as I think that's the weakest link. I'm also gun shy, as mine has broken before.
I had a failure of the frame at the axles area on my last rig. I ran overloaded by 1,000 for about 2 years but was never over the axle weight rating. I'm gunshy of any non-standard setup like double-towing.
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Old 02-19-2019, 09:05 AM   #20
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If your near any of the HDT rally locations might be worth a trip as some there double tow, the last time I was at one, one pulled in towing the Smart behind a Holiday Rambler with a atv on the deck of the truck, could probably get a lot of info about what you want to do. Some pull jeeps as well in a double tow.
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