Adding a trailer hitch to a fifth wheel

[Dkevdog]

Subject line says it. Anybody ever done this or had it done?? I'd like to add one to mine, not that I have a boat to tow, but becuase I want to be able to use some of the ready made receiver mount carriers for bikes and the like. I even have ideas for my own design. I don't have immediate plans for pulling a boat or jetskis, but I thought If I'm going to bother going and doing it- I might as well plan for it. Trailer is a Fleetwood wilderness. I assume we're talking custom install here? or is there something readily available?



Kev

 

[tgbol]

Kev

It can be done. Some state allow you to tow a trailer behind your 5'r. Be sure check out one of the trailer/rv forums. It can get a little complicated as to the weight of the truck and what class drivers license you have. California requires a class "A" commercial drivers license. As for the bike rack etc no problem.

tom

 

[Dkevdog]

I know the laws are total combined on road length are limited to 65' total. Third vehicle MUST be boat trailer or open frame trailer with quads, etc. I am working on getting my class A for other reasons (My wife already passed me up with hers!!) But I was just wondering about the physical logistics involved in making something that would be certified for towing.

Kev

 

[Fuzz]

Got One

Had one installed on my new KingOf the Road 5'er. Trailer manufacture had a "placard" on rear stating "Do not exceed 2000

lb. Trailer weight or 200lb tongue weight".

Might check with manufacture of trailer to see what they recommend. Had my hitch installed by a "Hitch shop". Kinda pricey but did a good job.

I haven't used it because on GCVW. I am over now with 3500 and

29 ft trailer.

Just some things to ponder,or not. (G)

Fuzz

 

[klenger]

Here is what I did on my 5er. My only intention was to use a class III bike rack on it, so I never researched if the manufacturer allows towing behind the 5er. The weight carrying capacity for the receiver is 5000 lbs with 500 lbs hitch weight. Your milage may vary. I'm sorry I don't have a better closeup picture of the hitch as mounted on the 5er. I bought the receiver from my RV dealer, and have seen it at another dealer also. Price is ~ $50.



#ad




#ad




#ad

 

[JyRO]

Nuts...

Who knows for sure... Can you not tow anything behind your 5'er except a boat trailer or open trailer? Not an enclosed trailer? I'm pretty sure I've seen it done, but I'm aware that doesn't make it legal.



- JyRO

 

[B.G. Smith]

I installed one on my Carri-Lite 31' fifth wheel and have towed my boat a few times (17'bass boat). If you are only going to haul bicycles, etc. the rear bumper (4" square tubing) might be strong enough. My brother in law has a Dutchmen and his bumper is pretty heavy, mine is thin material. I fabricated my hitch and it bolts to the trailer frame. Have a 2"X3"X1/4" angle for the main cross piece and a 2"X2"X 1/4" angle about two feet in front of the main cross piece and cross braced near the center. Good luck. bg

 

[roadranger]

Trailer Types

The law varies from state to state on what kind of trailer can be towed behind a 5er. I believe Calif. restricts to open type trailers, Michigan restricts to boat trailers only, and Colorado has no restrictions on type, for example.

Best to check with the state DMV.



Now what do you suppose would happen if I entered Calif. with Colorado tags, towing a 25 ft. 5er with a 12 ft cargo trailer trailing??? Would they dis-invite me from the Golden state??

 

[Dkevdog]

Roadranger- Come on!! This is Kalifornia! We'd love to have you come visit our overpopulated, overpriced, power starved state!! Just as long as you bring your own generator so as to not use any of our power!! I'm not terribly concerned about the laws, I already know them. My concern was that of strength and safety. My neighbor does welding and said we'll just "make something" work. My other plans include moving the psare tire to a custom storage area he's gonna make me between the frame in front of the axels. I justhate when they waste space!



Kev

 

[Bob Cochran]

I was not towing and 2nd trailer but as the Justice of the Peace said. Ignorance is no excuss you have to know the laws of the state you are entering. You get ticketed and fined!!!

 

[Stranger]

Here is what I know

From a CHP Officer who tows a double.



The middle trailer must be a fifth wheel.



The second trailer must be a boat trailer only! No jeeps, flats or house trailers etc.



Your combined length can only be 65' on a Class C (What the NORMAL driver has) however; there is a loophole. You can exceed this length by 6'6" providing you have lights at the end of the load.

Meaning; from front bumper to END OF LAST (BOAT) TRAILER 65', allow 6'6" for end of load 71'6".



Now If you exceed 65' normally you need a "Non-commercial Class A", I'm not sure of the medical or testing procedures but, this allows for 75' to end of last trailer total. Add the 6'6" to "End of load, with lights" comes to 81'6".



Wow, that's a long'un.



We plan to push it to the limit too!

Got a big A$$ trailer, need a big A$$ boat too. And not just to carry my big A$$ either.

 

[roadranger]

Boats Only?

Hmmm... . wonder why the boat owners are so priviliged?? Must not be enough snowmobile owners in the Legislature.

 

[Ram4Sam]

Only in California

Uhhh, What is this thing you call a snowmobile????



Sam

 

[roadranger]

Snowmobiles?

You'll have to ask the guys up around Eureka!

 

[Okie-Go]

My neighbor has a frame hitch for free. All i have to do is take it off. I plan on welding extensions on it and bolting it to the frame of the 5er, I know I do not need to weld to the frame of the travel trailer. all i want is to pull a 5x12 with the 4wheeler on it. My thing is how to tie in to the light system without messing something up.

 

[Eric_77]

Well I had one installed on my utility trailer which is 33' they just used tubing available from Draw Tite cut square holes threw frame and plated both sides ran cross diagonals from frame rails and tied into wiring could have done brake line too but boat doesn't have brakes (wish it did). Whole job was about 350. used Class 3 hitch equipment but said in this installation and had me sign paperwork indicating I know and understood that is rated for 5000lb and 500 tongue load.



Company here in Dallas called Joe's Hitch. I had a simliar installation done by them on our RV where the stock one was reciever that went under bumper but had drug ground so badly it was paper thin on bottom. They installed the hitch tube threw bumper and welded it onto the old hitch and we just use "old" hitch as drag point now.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Okie, I pulled the right tail light assy. out of the trailer and all the wires going to the left side were there, just tied in and ran down and out the bottom to the trailer hitch. bg