So, what is everybody towing?

[RudeJeepin]

Do you know what the weight is on that dual axle camper? How does it tow?

We had a Pioneer Spirit 18CK for a long time. Appears to be what the first trailer was. It weighs about 4k empty, with 350 tongue weight. The fresh water tank is just inside the front wall, so 40 gallons of ater really made a difference in tongue weight.
I pulled it with a Trailblazer XL, F150, 2 different Ram 2500s, and a Chevy 3500. It really pulled nice and true. The Trailblazer and f150 were smaller motors so you noticed it's weight, but not much else. It was balanced really well and tracked very good behind all the tow rigs. My oldest boy has it now, so I haven't had the chance to pull it with the Gladiator. But I don't think I'd worry too much about it.
The only problem would be the width and getting tow mirrors to see around it.

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[irish_love]

What is the weight on that trailer?

It's about 4,500lbs unloaded. Probably close to 5,500 loaded.

 

[MTB58]

My Max Tow Pkg Gladiator on this trip with 2 people, 1 small dog, full tank of fuel, generator, recover box, firewood, chairs, traction boards, inflatable stand up paddle board, Inflatable Kayak and 4 gallons of extra fuel, was 50lbs under the gvwr including the hitch and tongue weight. Trailer weighs 5100 fully loaded.

It tows the trailer with the above weights just fine at 60mph and climbs hills fine at about 4k rpm. I averaged about 11mpg on a 4k mile trip which included a lot of elevation gain and altitude. I have 33" tires.

 

[irish_love]

My Max Tow Pkg Gladiator on this trip with 2 people, 1 small dog, full tank of fuel, generator, recover box, firewood, chairs, traction boards, inflatable stand up paddle board, Inflatable Kayak and 4 gallons of extra fuel, was 50lbs under the gvwr including the hitch and tongue weight. Trailer weighs 5100 fully loaded.

It tows the trailer with the above weights just fine at 60mph and climbs hills fine at about 4k rpm. I averaged about 11mpg on a 4k mile trip which included a lot of elevation gain and altitude. I have 33" tires.

Can you show me your bike rack set up? Looking to put on on my trailer for 4 bikes.

 

[MTB58]

Can you show me your bike rack set up? Looking to put on on my trailer for 4 bikes.

My trailer is in storage right now, so I won't be able to take any photos yet.

For my lightweight Carbon MTB's I used a bumper mounted receiver hitch mounted on top of the bumper which is very limited on it's weight capacity because it's mounted on the very flimsy bumper. I reinforced the bumper with Saftey Stuts which are designed to help the rv bumper from breaking off due to the extra weight. Total weight for my two bikes and bike carrier was around 100 lbs.

I have since purchased an adjustable width reciver hitch and had my friend who owns a fabrication shop weld it onto the trailer frame with the receiver part on the top of the bumper. I had it done this way because I don't want to drag the bike carrier entering or leaving gas stations or driveways. The hitch is strictly for bike carriers or cargo carriers, because even though it's a receiver hitch welded to the trailer frame it will not support towing.

If you plan on carrying 4 bikes you will definitely need a welded in receiver hitch. Something else you will need to pay close attention to is the type of bike carrier you have. Most bike carriers are not rated for the back of motorhomes or trailers due to all the extra bouncing they are subjected to. I am currently using a Rocky Mounts 2 bike carrier.

Another thing to consider is the weight on the back of the trailer will lessen the tongue weight on the tow vehicle, probably not pound for pound but it will lessen the weight and could change the towing characteristics of your trailer.

Lots of stuff to thing about just to carry 2 or 4 bicycles maybe 200lbs total.

If I get a chance I will go over to the storage yard and take a couple of pictures for you of the new receiver hitch.

 

[irish_love]

This is exactly the advice I was looking for!!! I was worried about just mounting a bolt on receiver to the bumper. I was thinking about finding a weld in receiver as well. I also had never seen or heard about the safety struts. Looking into those now. Thanks a ton!!!!

My trailer is in storage right now, so I won't be able to take any photos yet.

For my lightweight Carbon MTB's I used a bumper mounted receiver hitch mounted on top of the bumper which is very limited on it's weight capacity because it's mounted on the very flimsy bumper. I reinforced the bumper with Saftey Stuts which are designed to help the rv bumper from breaking off due to the extra weight. Total weight for my two bikes and bike carrier was around 100 lbs.

I have since purchased an adjustable width reciver hitch and had my friend who owns a fabrication shop weld it onto the trailer frame with the receiver part on the top of the bumper. I had it done this way because I don't want to drag the bike carrier entering or leaving gas stations or driveways. The hitch is strictly for bike carriers or cargo carriers, because even though it's a receiver hitch welded to the trailer frame it will not support towing.

If you plan on carrying 4 bikes you will definitely need a welded in receiver hitch. Something else you will need to pay close attention to is the type of bike carrier you have. Most bike carriers are not rated for the back of motorhomes or trailers due to all the extra bouncing they are subjected to. I am currently using a Rocky Mounts 2 bike carrier.

Lots of stuff to thing about just to carry 2 or 4 bicycles maybe 200lbs total.

If I get a chance I will go over to the storage yard and take a couple of pictures for you of the new receiver hitch.

 

[MTB58]

This is exactly the advice I was looking for!!! I was worried about just mounting a bolt on receiver to the bumper. I was thinking about finding a weld in receiver as well. I also had never seen or heard about the safety struts. Looking into those now. Thanks a ton!!!!

Amazon.com: SafetyStruts Heavy Duty RV Bumper Brackets (1SSNHD, Std-Heavy Duty) : Automotive

Amazon.com: Ohuhu Bolt-on RV Bumper Hitch Receiver Adapter Fits 4-4.5" Beam, 2" Receiver 200Lbs Tongue Weight Capacity, Travel Trailer Rear Bumper with Hitch Pin & Hitch Cover, Fit for Camper Bike Racks Cargo Car : Automotive

Amazon.com: Ultra-Fab 35-946403 Trailer Hitch Receiver : Automotive

 

[Figmo]

 

[Labswine]

Can you show me your bike rack set up? Looking to put on on my trailer for 4 bikes.

I have a simple bolt on receiver, mounted on the top of my bumper for my bike rack. Only have two bikes, one for me and one for the Bride. Had to shift the spare over to one side, making sure to not obscure the tail light or license plate, to make room for the bike rack, and bikes, so they're not hanging out over the outside edge of the trailer.

My bike rack simply sits into the receiver and has an extra bolt set up to prevent too much shaking back there from any slop between the bike rack and the receiver.

I have a Swagman bike rack. I researched through a few trailer forums to see what others used and it came VERY highly recommended. It's fully adjustable for two bikes (to fit the wheels in the 'sitting' rings) and has a lockable drop down bar to hold the bikes securely in place. Very secure, they don't shake on the rack and, it doesn't shake in the receiver. I bought the receiver off Amazon.

 

[JAsh1967]

Our rig as of last May, there's been a few minor changes, new wheels / tires on the Jeep, a better bike carrier on the tongue of the camper...

2022 with tow package (wish I'd known about max tow) and a 2022 nuCamp T@B 400 Boondock

 

[WILDHOBO]

Smittybilt Scout on 37” Mickey Thomsons. Something like 3,300lb gvwr

14’ tandem enclosed cargo w/ 7,000gvwr

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I have a simple bolt on receiver, mounted on the top of my bumper for my bike rack. Only have two bikes, one for me and one for the Bride. Had to shift the spare over to one side, making sure to not obscure the tail light or license plate, to make room for the bike rack, and bikes, so they're not hanging out over the outside edge of the trailer.

My bike rack simply sits into the receiver and has an extra bolt set up to prevent too much shaking back there from any slop between the bike rack and the receiver.

I have a Swagman bike rack. I researched through a few trailer forums to see what others used and it came VERY highly recommended. It's fully adjustable for two bikes (to fit the wheels in the 'sitting' rings) and has a lockable drop down bar to hold the bikes securely in place. Very secure, they don't shake on the rack and, it doesn't shake in the receiver. I bought the receiver off Amazon.

A couple of eBikes at 130-150 pounds a pair, along with the weight of the rack (70 pounds) will fix that receiver for you

 

[MTB58]

Just bought a new trailer, thank goodness I have Max Tow 5th Wheel edition with air bags.

Pin weight 2300, 12,000lbs loaded, average 13mpg at 75mph and I don't even know I'm towing anything.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Just bought a new trailer, thank goodness I have Max Tow 5th Wheel edition with air bags.

Pin weight 2300, 12,000lbs loaded, average 13mpg at 75mph and I don't even know I'm towing anything.

Just curious - WHICH axle is under that again?

Poser!

 

[MTB58]

Just curious - WHICH axle is under that again?

Poser!

Dana 60.

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