Putting a hitch on my 2980RL

[jburnes]

Trying to install a receiver hitch on my 2980RL Montana 5er so I can have it tow a small cargo trailer. 1st pic is showing where a frame rail ends at the rear of the trailer. #2 is the frame rail and #1 is an 8-in I-beam that connects the two frame rails. To the left of that in the picture is the c channel they installed to hold up the water tank. I'm needing to know if that 8-in I-beam is strong enough to attach a receiver hitch directly to it to tow 3,000 lb or so. 2nd Pic is from underneath and it just shows the crossmember I-beam as well as the c channel that is holding up the water tank.

I was going to buy a Curt 13703 hitch but the only way to install it here would be to remove the water tank first so you could then bolt it to the frame rails. If I could just attach a receiver hitch to the center of that I beam, life would be a lot easier.

[Carl n Susan]

The design of the end brackets pose a huge challenge in installing this hitch. I would nor put it on the 8" I beam. The frame is a much better place. But trying the get the bolts through the web part of the beam, with the water tank right there, is where the install has a problem. One person suggested using a "blind hole" threading device which might avoid the problem of dropping the water tank.

The alternative I used back in the day when I had a 2955 (same frame) was to use a Hidden Hitch (aka Draw-Tite) 82201 adjustable hitch. https://www.amazon.com/Draw-Tite-822.../dp/B0075HNG0C

It is similar to the Curt hitch but uses a different mounting bracket. This hitch bolts to the bottom of the I beam and not through the web. Much easier and doesn't require dropping the water tank.

One thing though. Either one of these hitches attached to the I beam frame will end well short of the rear cap of the trailer. You will need a 12' long 2" receiver extension to get the hitch ball out from under the rear cap. This extension does reduce the carry capacity of the hitch.

[jetskier]

I'd weld on some 2x3 or 2x4x1/4" wall steel tubes on the bottom and parallel to the main frame beams to get the extension to the rear of the trailer. I did this on my previous trailer so I could bolt up the Hidden Hitch 82201. You should also tie said tubes to the frame web just below the 8" wide flange cross beam where the bottom flange is cut off.

[Cat320]

Call Keystone, hopefully they will have all the specs you need regarding towing with that RV.

[scottz]

I'm not sure how our frames compare, but I installed the Draw Tite 82201 on my 3160RL. Also installed the same hitch on my last 5th wheel; it is adjustable for different frame widths. My frame is the max width for the hitch (actually about 1/2" too wide, but I made it work). I bolted the Draw Tite to the outside flange of the frame.

3000# is a lot of weight; you will have to decide about that. I used to tow a jeep behind my smaller 5th wheel, but I won't do it anymore. I decided that was too much weight, even though the jeep has very little tongue weight (tows on all four wheels). I don't put much more than a bike rack back there now.

Draw Tite hitch on e-trailer: https://www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Camp...ite/82201.html

Hitch extension: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

Anti rattle clamp if you need it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1



1st photo: old hitch removed, frame prepped for new hitch. You can see that, on my rig, the water tank is not a factor.

2nd photo: new hitch installed

[scottz]

After installing the Draw Tite hitch and an extension to reach the back of the RV, I did not like the flex that I was getting. I modified the old hitch to use as a brace.

[ReneT]

Keep in mind that some states have a law against double towing. Also many states require electric brakes on a trailer weighing 1500 lbs or more

[Clyde n Deb]

This subject was just addressed recently on here. Besides the subject of weight added in the rear, and the over wide frames, the weak point in our coaches design has proven to be in the frontal area of the framework in the vicinity of the 5ers fifth wheel hitch. I used to have photos saved of coaches coming apart from double towing; unfortunately I think they went away with my old laptop. Many were the same frame the OP has.