Receiver Hitch on back of Trailer frame

[mark Holbrook]

Hi,

Thinnking about mounting a receiver on the back of my trailer to carry the bikes on a rack. Had it all designed and then thought about what it would do to tongue weight. I really don't want to play with the axle location so I think I might just not do it. Any thoughts or ideas?

[halfdome, Danny]

Welcome to the forum Mark .
You could always put a counter weight of camping items in a tongue box if the bikes lighten the tongue too much. If you do put a hitch on the back make sure it is attached (preferably welded) to the rear and next cross member. You can get them up to 48" long Danny

[Steve_Cox]

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the forum. My 40 to 50 pounds of bikes and bike rack pictured only eliminated about 16 pounds of tongue weight at the trailer hitch. I made the receiver and bolted it to the frame with 5/16" carriage bolts. ( 5/16" grade 5 carriage bolts have a tensile strength of 120,000 pounds )

[egjacks]

hey Steve,

do you find that the bikes affect your mpg at all? they kind of mess up the aerodynamics of the teardrop. I was considering putting a hitch on the back as well..

[mark Holbrook]

Thanks for the help. I have a northern trailer and a 48" long receiver. I guess I will go ahead and mount it up then see what it does to the tongue wait. Easier to attach it now then once all built.

[Steve_Cox]

hey Steve,

do you find that the bikes affect your mpg at all? they kind of mess up the aerodynamics of the teardrop. I was considering putting a hitch on the back as well..

Didn't notice any changes in MPG or increase of slipstream turbulence.

[planovet]

I did not add one on mine and now I wish I did. If you are building your frame, I'd go ahead and put one on. Better to have it and not need it than need/want it and not have it.

[48Rob]

The typical teardrop has the axle set further back than a standard trailer, affording the ability to add extra weight at the back end.

As has been mentioned, by rearranging things you can add weight to the front of the trailer to balance things if needed.
I don't know if having a bike makes mileage worse, but not having a bike would make camping worse...

Rob

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9d803b3127ccec739c8fec39300000040O02AbNGjdu5bMge3nww/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/">

[dh]

One thought on the reciever placement, don't let it stick out any farther than it absolutely has to, it is at the perfect height to knock shins while cooking in the gally.

[madjack]

I put one on mine to be able to mount one of those cargo carries...like for the backs of SUV's...I use it to carry firewood(and such)...I did place the axle a couple of inches back from where is would normally be...a few extra pounds on the hitch is not NEARLY the problem of too much weight on the axle...when using the cargo carrier, I keep in mind how I load heavier items, typically moving them forward to keep the balance near correct..................
madjack

[Gary and Cheri]

I put a 2" hitch on the back and on both sides. With a welded square "L" shaped adapter I can now put my work station for the stove and our eating table in one of three locations. Normally the rear hitch carries the spare tire when traveling. I needed alittle weight in the back as my tongue weight was close to 200 lbs.

[AlStAubin]

I was thinking about doing this so that I could attach a canoe carrier and put my canoe on top but keep it suspended off the trailer.

[bobhenry]

Once they are mounted you are only limited by your imagination. I have installed one on each and every one of my 4 builds. The Teardrop and barn both will be able to tow the chuckwagon in tandum.
and the bike rack will fit all of them.

I know I gotta get some pictures.

[dh]

Hey Bob, how legal is that? In most states (maybe all?) if towing tandem trailers the one in front has to be a 5th wheel or goose neck.

[Cliffmeister2000]

Indiana is the only state I am aware of that allows someone to tow 2 trailers, even when both are bumper pull trailers.