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Old 11-21-2009, 01:24 PM   #1
Butch&Carol
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Rear Hitch on Montana

How hard is it to put a rear receiver on my 07 Montana. I would love to pull my small boat with me
 
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Old 11-21-2009, 01:41 PM   #2
The Weekenders
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I would like to know as well to. I have an 08 3585SA and would love to hitch up a bicycle rack.
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Old 11-21-2009, 01:49 PM   #3
mcgiver2
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it cant be to hard, my 2009 came from the factory with one on it, and i know theres a few on here that has put them on them selfs. the real issue is not to have to much tongue weight for the frame of the camper. but i would think a small trailer for a small boat or bike would be fine.
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Old 11-21-2009, 02:10 PM   #4
H. John Kohl
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I bought a REESE universal 70" (used on motor homes), 2" receiver and had it installed by an RV center. They did move the real stabilizer legs forward about 8" so the hitch mounts would be fully on the "I" beam. I did have to add an 18" extension so my receiver for the bike rack was even with the back of the cap.
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Old 11-21-2009, 03:08 PM   #5
exav8tr
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I had a 2 inch receiver hitch installed by MorRyde in Elkhart, IN. It is rated for 3000 lbs capacity and a 300 lb tongue weight. I will not tow anything with it, I just wanted it to carry bikes. Keystone installed the current hitch at the request of many members and has said no more than 200 lbs or bye bye warranty. They claim it was installed to carry bicycles only. Sometimes a guys gotta do what a guys gotta do!!!!!
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Old 11-21-2009, 03:25 PM   #6
sailer
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The present hitch is part of the Lippert design but then who is paying for it tells us how good of a hitch is it ;;; it is rated for 200 lbs about but is so flimsy I had mine re done as xnavydiver was following me out of the keys last year and said it was going to fall off or tear up the rear cap it shook so much .. he was following me , ask him what he thought ,, towing a boat ?????? i don't know as the frame is not that heavy but you do what you feal is rite ,, on my 2006 i had a 2" receiver put on to carry bikes .. i think the 2" is much better than the 1 1/4 " receiver ,, not enough on the smaller hitch to stop the movement ;;;;sailer
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Old 11-21-2009, 03:58 PM   #7
Carl n Susan
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by H. John Kohl

I bought a REESE universal 70" (used on motor homes), 2" receiver and had it installed by an RV center. They did move the real stabilizer legs forward about 8" so the hitch mounts would be fully on the "I" beam. I did have to add an 18" extension so my receiver for the bike rack was even with the back of the cap.
The most common DIY hitch add-on is the Hidden Hitch 82201 (advertised as a motor home hitch adjustable up to 72"). Many of us have added it to our Montana's. It is likely the same hitch that John installed since there is really only one manufacturer of hitches anymore.

You likely will have to move the rear stabilizers a touch (they are only held on with 1/4" X 20 bolts) and get an extension (the end of the frame is a long way from the end cap). Many of us welded the extension to eliminate vibration and rattles (along with general looseness).

I suspect if you "Search" on "hidden hitch 82201" you will find several earlier discussions about hitches with pictures.
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Old 11-21-2009, 04:03 PM   #8
David and Jo-Anna
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We have a two inch receiver for our bike rack. That is all we would use it for.

This morning we saw a Montana towing a jeep. What a site that was.
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Old 11-22-2009, 03:25 AM   #9
Delaine and Lindy
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I have seen many Montana' towing boats, two wheel type trailers hauling Motorcycles and ATV's, both open and inclosed. Most of them have been West of the Big Muddy. You will begin to see more as the RV industry catches up. The RV industry has to do what people want or need. If they don't they want be able to compete. And everyone knows the warranty for only 1 year goes very fast, and a lot is written into warrantys to cover the manufactors. I also believe if you going to haul your bikes on the rear of the 5er you should have a 2" receiver. GBY....
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Old 11-22-2009, 03:37 AM   #10
richfaa
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We had the same hitch installed by Mor Ryde. It is a sturdy hitch but will only be used for holding two bikes.. In our travels around the country we have seen some nighmares on the rear of 5th wheels. It is no wonder that many manufacturer's will void warranties if you install a hitch.
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Old 11-22-2009, 04:40 AM   #11
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Just make sure that you add outriggers so it doesn't bounce around going down the roadBike Rack
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Old 11-22-2009, 07:17 AM   #12
TLightning
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We haul our bikes in the bed of the truck up against the back window. No way I'd haul anything heavier than a few bikes on that flimsy Montana frame. The best hitch in the world is no good if what it's bolted to is weak.
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Old 11-22-2009, 01:27 PM   #13
scductman
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You will need a good welding shop to fab it and a very good welder to install it. you will have to move your rear jacks forward a little bit. If installed right it is safe. It is double towing. JMHO.
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Old 11-22-2009, 03:32 PM   #14
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The Montana frame is only 10 inches deep and actually very thin in thickness; quite surprised when I added shocks and drilled holes in the frame to support top of shock tower. Know knowing that, I would be very reluctant to put any type of strees on that hitch and frame. Could end up with an arch over the tandem axles.
A lot of frames are now 12 inches deep.
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Old 11-22-2009, 03:53 PM   #15
Army Guy
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We had our hitch welded on by the dealer. It is a 2" receiver that we have a cargo carrier on it with our generator. I did have to get an extension to bring it out and I also used turnbuckels and safety chains from each corner of the rack to the receiver to help with support. I took this from Kansas to Alaska and back with no issues. Works for me.
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Old 11-22-2009, 03:57 PM   #16
Butch&Carol
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Thanks for all the replys to my question. Maybe I'll just be safe and forget about it. Thanks again Butch
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Old 11-23-2009, 06:11 AM   #17
richfaa
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I was looking at the frame on our 8 F-350 and it is way less than 10 inches deep with a GVWR of 13K.?????? I have had Experts (not on any forum) tell me that the 3400 frame is adequate for the use it is designed for. Also had experts tell me the welds could be better and others say the welds were not bad at all. When our frame was measured for the Mor Ryde IS suspension it was within 1/8 of a inch front to rear and we use this thing hard. I really do not know what to think...?????
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Old 11-23-2009, 09:00 AM   #18
clutch
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We have a hitch welded to our Mountaineer and have used it for three years now. If you go to a good welding shop you will probably not have any issues. I would do it again without any hesitation. We tow an 11ft trailer with two quads. I try to keep the weight to 3k or less.
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Old 11-23-2009, 10:22 AM   #19
Butch&Carol
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My boat and trailer are under 1k
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Old 11-25-2009, 06:00 PM   #20
mholman
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I removed bottom under cover, Welded a piece of 2" 1/4 wall tubing across the frame just in front of the fresh water tank (I have an RK model) Then welded a piece of 6" angle about 1 foot long to the I beam on the back. I cut a square hole in the angle that the receiver tube could slide through. then slid a receiver tube about 40" long through the square hole, under the fresh water tank and under the cross brace. Welded everything up. I have pulled a 7x12 foot trailer with 3 ATVs over many miles of highway and some dirt roads for 2 years. No Problems.
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