1.25 inch hitch receiver on back of monty

[dpam]

Our 5th wheel came with a 1.25 inch receiver on the back of our 3150RL 5th wheel. I'd like to carry two bikes on a bike carrier that slides into the 1.25" receiver. Is this hitch strong enough to handle two bikes on a bike carrier. The hitch is bolted to the frame with two brackets that are welded to the frame and there are 3 bolts on each side holding the hitch. I'm wondering if this 1.25" set up is reliable enough, or whether I should scrap it and get a 2 inch hitch installed. Does anyone use a 1.25 inch hitch, and what are your thoughts?

I guess I should have stated that the bikes are 21 speed mountain bikes. They are not motorcycles. I don't have a store bought bike carrier. I'm using a cargo carrier that slides into a hitch receiver. I have attached two bicycle fork mounts to the cargo carrier floor, so I will be removing the front wheels and securing the bike forks to the fork mounts and using straps to hold down the rear part of the bikes.

[CORattler]

I installed a 1.25 inch to 2 inch adapter on mine and use it to hold my 2inch bicycle carrier. It works just fine. It definitely holds the carrier & 2 bicycles. As an added bonus, the 2 inch fits into the receiver on my truck and we install the bike carrier to haul the bikes anywhere we want. Go for it & enjoy!!

quote:Originally posted by dpam

Our 5th wheel came with a 1.25 inch receiver on the back of our 3150RL 5th wheel. I'd like to carry two bikes on a bike carrier that slides into the 1.25" receiver. Is this hitch strong enough to handle two bikes on a bike carrier. The hitch is bolted to the frame with two brackets that are welded to the frame and there are 3 bolts on each side holding the hitch. I'm wondering if this 1.25" set up is reliable enough, or whether I should scrap it and get a 2 inch hitch installed. Does anyone use a 1.25 inch hitch, and what are your thoughts?

I guess I should have stated that the bikes are 21 speed mountain bikes. They are not motorcycles. I don't have a store bought bike carrier. I'm using a cargo carrier that slides into a hitch receiver. I have attached two bicycle fork mounts to the cargo carrier floor, so I will be removing the front wheels and securing the bike forks to the fork mounts and using straps to hold down the rear part of the bikes.

[kingdaddy]

Many have said the 1.25" receiver is not very sturdy, but obviously that depends on what you're carrying and how well the hitch and supporting members are attached to the trailer frame.
You should be fine I would think with two bikes and carrier less than 100 lbs or so. That said, I would personally prefer a solid 2" receiver.
The main thing IMO, would be to have a way to cinch down the hitch into the receiver somehow. Here is one way (although for a 2" receiver).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042VNBP4

[NCFischers]

That hitch is rated for 300#.

[Jolu]

I converted mine to a 2" hitch because I had a 2" bike carrier. It was simple to unbolt the 1 1/4" hitch and bolt on the 2" Hidden Hitch I had from my previous unit.
I also added another bolt up through the Monty frame. The 2" hitch now is much more stable than the 1 1/4" that came with the unit.
I have no plans to haul anymore weight than two bikes. It would take a lot more beef than what is there now.
Joe

[oldelmer1]

I already have a 2" bike rack, so I bought a 1 1/4" to 2" adapter. After putting the adapter and rack into the receiver and put 1 bike on the rack, my whole combo bounced up and down with little effort. The hitch was twisting in the center where the receiver is.

And this was with just 1 bike on the rack. So, I took it off and didn't take the bikes.

I will get a welder out and have a custom made 2" hitch installed.

Best thing to try is borrow a bike rack, try to see if yours is sturdier than mine. Worse comes to worse, get a pipe and put it into the hole and see if it flexes easily.

[sailer]

The 1.25 hitch bounces so much , the bikes will go through the rear window, have a friend follow you on the rode for 10 miles over all kinds of rds and over RR trackes ,, I had Xnavydiver follow me out of the keys 2 yrs ago and he made me take the bikes off as they were bouncing so bad . the hitch since I have added 2 welded on braces to hold it some what steady , ask the xnavydiver, he will tell you;;;sailer

[bncinwv]

I bought an adapter like the others mentioned, but also purchased two ratcheting straps to stabilize the bike rack.
Bingo

[sailer]

Bingo; What are you going to strap the tye downs to, If its the ladder you mite tear it off on a bad bridge...sailer

[bncinwv]

I am strapping the bottom of the bike rack to the frame itself. It holds the rack down to prevent bouncing and prevents swaying at the same time. They are ratcheting type straps which allows me to adjust them as needed. I would never attach anything to the ladder when in motion, when stationary the only thing attached to the ladder is the Jim Fischer/John Kohl designed (not sure who actually should get the credit) PVC laundry rack.
Bingo

[cdaniels]

bncinwv... sent you a PM! would love a pic of the bike rack with the strapes. We just bought a 2009 Montana with the 1 1/4 inch hitch but also have a 2 inch taken off our old Montana. Have not installed the 2 inch yet and would like to use the 1 1/4 until I get the switch done. It does seem pretty flimsey. I like the rachet strap idea for support...

[drknapp]

Could you post a picture on how you strap yours Bingo. I'm interested in how you do it also.

Thanks!

[bncinwv]

It will be a while before I can post pics, since we have no plans for camping in the near future (boat and ski are finally in the water!) and the rig is in mini-storage. As I described to Cdaniels in a PM, the strap is run beneath the horizontal cross bar that the receiver is mounted to and then attached to the supports for the electric stabilizer jacks. The strap is mainly horizontal with a slight downward path beneath the bar. Keep in mind, the advantage I have is that with the rear-view camera, the bike rack is in full view at all times. If it appears to be moving more than usual, I can tighten the ratchets up as needed. One thing I am pondering is the addition of a couple of diagonal straps from the bike rack itself to the existing straps to eliminate even more of the swaying. I will post pictures in the future of the entire assembly.
Bingo