Rear hitch - Montana Owners Club

PaDan · 02-17-2014, 03:25 PM

Any one installed a larger receiver on the rear of a 3700. I want to pull my bug or 4 wheeler behind the monty. The little 200 lb. hitch will not do it. I would not even want to stand on that thing.

8.1al · 02-17-2014, 03:56 PM

Many members have. Hidden Hitch makes a very good universal hitch

Art-n-Marge · 02-17-2014, 04:57 PM

The key is knowing how to ensure it will be shored up for whatever you're putting back there.

**DQDick** · 02-17-2014, 05:17 PM

Many have done it. We'll be having a welding shop put one on this summer.

MDL · 02-17-2014, 05:38 PM

Since ours didn't come with one, I'm having one installed by a local hitch shop. I don't really like the bolt on units, so this one will be welded, although it's only to hold the bikes.

bncinwv · 02-18-2014, 12:50 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by MDL

Since ours didn't come with one, I'm having one installed by a local hitch shop. I don't really like the bolt on units, so this one will be welded, although it's only to hold the bikes.

We will be adding one, but it will be after the warranty period expires. For those who do not know, it is considered a frame modification and Lippert has repeatedly stated that it will void the frame warranty. Just throwing this out there for those who are not aware of their stance on the issue.
Bingo

K0LCB · 02-18-2014, 02:34 AM

I think the battery should be disconnected before you weld on the frame.

**DQDick** · 02-18-2014, 02:34 AM

Bingo is correct and that's why we've waited this long to do ours.

Hooker · 02-18-2014, 04:50 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by PaDan

...The little 200 lb. hitch will not do it. I would not even want to stand on that thing...

There is probably a good reason for that.

mtheo · 02-18-2014, 06:51 AM

I have install few on trailers over the years and redone a couple for others. If you are hauling anything of wieght I would be sure to not only connect at rear but run a support at least three or four feet forward to help disturbute the weight.

Ramblin Roadrunners · 02-18-2014, 07:02 AM

I think its sad that these frames are so weak that they will void the warrenty for adding 300lbs to the back of the 5er. I talked to Mark (Keystone) yesterday and Lippert is talking about not allowing the reciever hitch on the new Montana's and Big Sky's. Maybe going from a 10" frame to a 12" frame wasn't enough.

bncinwv · 02-18-2014, 07:24 AM

Our new Big Sky does not have a receiver hitch on the rear at all. Our 2011 3750FL did have the small one and it had the smaller frame and I carried two bikes with straps repeatedly with no issues. Ahhhh, isn't progress great!
Bingo

MDL · 02-18-2014, 04:30 PM

That's a great point Bingo. What do we have 1-3 year warranty? With that said, and you're experience and time on the forum, what is my calculated risk of adding a hitch on the back for a bike rack? Have their been frame issues in recent years? Am I really risking a lot by doing this, or is this tied to things like frame flex, etc? I have this great Thule rack that I really love and would like to use it, but if this voids the entire warranty, I need to look at other options possibly if the risk of frame damage is too great in other areas. I'm almost 100% certain (let's say 99% for argument's sake) that adding a welded hitch carrying two mountain bikes on a 3100 isn't going to damage or bend the frame. If I do it and other areas have problems, then they void my warranty, that's probably not my best move. Comments? I don't want the bikes on the front of the truck, probably not in the bed of my SB SRW, maybe on the front of the Monty, or ???

rohrmann · 02-18-2014, 05:07 PM

You are already familiar with Thule products, so why not a roof rack? They have gutterless rack systems for the roof of your truck. I was checking out the Rack Attack site, http://www.rackattack.com/roof-rack-...de-results.asp

It looks like they have something that will work, and not interfere with towing the trailer. No sense risking a warranty issue with Lippert.

MDL · 02-18-2014, 06:07 PM

Possible option on the roof rack, but the roof is about what, 7' in the air. I need another 3' to lift the bike on the rack, so that would put me somewhere around 10' up. Not sure I want to do that on a regular basis. Good thought however. I just wish they had made a warranty option for a rear hitch...gotta contemplate this some more.

bncinwv · 02-18-2014, 11:14 PM

It is all risk assessment. There have been problems reported over the years with frame flex issues which typically are resolved in or out of warranty. Would Keystone or Lippert deny because of a hitch installation? That issue has not been encountered yet that i recall, and I am hesitant to be the guinea pig.
Bingo

rmthelen · 02-19-2014, 02:06 AM

Mark, we have a 2013 3100 and I had a fabricator weld a hitch on ours that is capable of pulling a 3000 pound cargo trailer. He said he installs about 1-3 per week on different brands and noted that the frame on our Montana was much heavier than other brands. He also stated that our frame was much heavier than earlier Montana's. So far, we have only used it to haul bicycles and it is much more stable than the "accessory hitch" that was on it from the factory. My plan is to haul my Harley along when we go south for the winter.

bncinwv · 02-19-2014, 03:35 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by MDL

Possible option on the roof rack, but the roof is about what, 7' in the air. I need another 3' to lift the bike on the rack, so that would put me somewhere around 10' up. Not sure I want to do that on a regular basis. Good thought however. I just wish they had made a warranty option for a rear hitch...gotta contemplate this some more.

Most people I have seen that go the roof rack route, load the bicycles onto the rack from the truck bed. We have the front hidden hitch to carry a bike rack on the front of the truck that I will be using. I used this method with the 3400 and now must regress to older proven methods. Progress again!!! in reverse!
Bingo

mhs4771 · 02-19-2014, 03:58 AM

It's a gamble. We added the Mor/Ryde IS to our SOB which has a 5 year Structural warranty after discussing with Mor/Ryde. They feel that Lippert would have to prove that the mod/addition was the root cause of a frame failure to void the frame warranty.
We felt the improvement of the IS would over shadow any possible ill affects it could cause. Plus Mor/ryde does a lot of IS upgrades with many being done as an OEM option, sure wish more MFRs would add that option.

MDL · 02-19-2014, 05:57 PM

Great info, thanks Richard!

quote]Originally posted by rmthelen

Mark, we have a 2013 3100 and I had a fabricator weld a hitch on ours that is capable of pulling a 3000 pound cargo trailer. He said he installs about 1-3 per week on different brands and noted that the frame on our Montana was much heavier than other brands. He also stated that our frame was much heavier than earlier Montana's. So far, we have only used it to haul bicycles and it is much more stable than the "accessory hitch" that was on it from the factory. My plan is to haul my Harley along when we go south for the winter.
[/quote]

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