Hydrolift motorcycle carrier

[Sarge]

Hydralift motorcycle carrier

I have finally decided after much :{ and looking at other alternatives, to add a Hydralift to the back of my 5ver. The Hydralift is designed to be attached to a motorhome or 5ver after stiffining the frame. I looked at so many 5vers, TT, and MH, trying to find a way to haul the Harley and still maintain a 30' overall RV length, I went with the lift.



Forest River has started offering one of their 5vers (Silverback) with the Hydralift as an option. Since my 5ver is a Forest River Cardinal, the choice of the Hydralift was easy. It's not cheap, but compared to the 65K to 165K I was looking at to change out my 3 year old 5ver, the cost of the lift is penny's on the dollar.



I'll get the install done after I return from my trip next week, and post a pic.



Sarge

 

[RustyJC]

Sarge,



Just a suggestion - you might want to run over the scales "before and after". Hanging that much weight on the back is certainly going to affect your pin weight, and should you have to chase stability problems after the installation, it would be good to know your pin and total weights prior to the conversion.



I'll be watching your results with great interest since I'd love to be able to transport my BMW K1200GT along with the 5th wheel as well.



Rusty

 

[Sarge]

Good idea Rusty, but way ahead of you! I weighed a few months ago. My pin weight while camping ready is about 2500 to 2600 pounds. The "empty" pin weight of the fiver as quoted by Forest River is about 1890 pounds. Since the last time I weighed I have also added a Honda 3000 to the front bay. I fugure the worst I may do is return the fiver to factory unloaded specs as far as the pin weight is concerned. The install includes running frame stiffening rails from the rear all the way to the rear axle to distribute the weight. So all things considered, I feel pretty confident adding the lift.



But good question Rusty. I asked myself, and them everything I could think of before I committed the cash... ... ... . Sarge

 

[Sarge]

Well, I dropped off the RV yesterday to have the lift installed. It should be ready by the end of the week. I hope to be able to have the wife follow me to the shop so I can take the Harley down with me and test it right there at the shop. Plus I will swing by and run it across the scales on the way back. I can't wait... ... ... .

 

[ChrisG]

Hydralift motorcycle carrier

Sarge,

We have installed an Eagle Head Lift on our 3575 Montana to hall our Road King. We also looked at all the other $$$ options and are still trying this one. We still have not worked out all the kinks. Please let us share what we have learned so far during this ordeal. First of all you will need some counter balance of the front as the 5er was not designed to hang 800lbs in the back. We have added a generator and a washer and dryer. If your fresh water tank is in front you can take on water as a counterbalance. Have your frame reinforced. Pin weight is critical so take time to check it out. Also you need to check the weight rating of your axels. We were already pushing the weight limit and after our trip to Sturgis last year we found a bent axel. We are in the process of changing to 7,200 lbs axels now.



03 Dodge 3500 HO Laramie Quad Cab 3. 73 Short Box yes short box without a slider! 03 Big Sky Montana 3575

 

[Sarge]

Yes thanks Chris. The installation of the lift includes adding a stiffiner to the frame from the back all the way to the axle, a length of about 10'. I have already checked the pin weight of the fiver, and right now it is about #2500, which includes a Honda 3000 in the front bay. The axle's on the rig are "Alco" axles, and are approx 6" in diameter. So for as much as I can, I have verified several key issues. I researched quite a bit before taking the plunge.



Update: I received a call from the install shop who said that there would be a delay of about a month for the install. The manufacturer is coming out with a lift designed specifically for 5th wheels. The supports will be a little farther apart, and require less welding to attach up to the 5ver frame. The frame rails on a motorhome are a little closer together. So I don't mind waiting a little longer for the re-designed unit.

 

[Sarge]

To verify weights before the install of the lift I took the RV to a scale and weighed the RV, the pin, and the truck. The GCVW is 19830, the truck GVW was 8120, the weight on the axles is 8890, and the pin wt is 2790. I have 5200 pound axles on the RV for a combo max weight available of 10,400. The net available weight is 1510 pounds on the axles. The available weight of the combo is 3,170 pounds. I have 3800 pounds available on the pin, less the 2790 of the current pin weight leaves just over 1000 pounds available on the rear axle.



All of the weights look good, but just to be on the safe side, I am looking into upgrading the RV's ALko axle to 6000 pounds. That along with the frame enhancement should give me plenty of fudge room for extra stuff. It looks like the upgrade to the axles are about $400 each if I do the install myself. Could be cheap insurance in the long run... ..... Sarge

 

[Bob4x4]

Sarge Don't forget the remote resevoir high pressure shocks



Bob

 

[Sarge]

I'm waiting for KORE to make me a set... .....

 

[Matt400]

Update: I received a call from the install shop who said that there would be a delay of about a month for the install. The manufacturer is coming out with a lift designed specifically for 5th wheels.

So how did it go?, any pics?

 

[Bob4x4]

He sold the truck,trailer and bought a big pusher



Bob