Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > MOC Technical Forums > Additions & Improvements
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-27-2017, 12:06 PM   #1
Rookey
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Folsom
Posts: 63
M.O.C. #19613
Replacement Bike Hitch for OEM Legacy Hitch

I did not like the wimpy hitch that came with the Legacy Edition package on our Monty. I unbolted, and took to a welding/fabricator. He used it for a template and went to 2" instead of the 1 1/4 and I went to a 2" receiver since I have a couple different carriers that are 2". Here's a pic showing the difference. Just wanted to share. I used a Drawtite pin with a lock that helps to tighten the Swagman bike carrier so it does not move at all.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Trailer Hitch Compare.JPG
Views:	28
Size:	132.8 KB
ID:	746  
 
__________________
Mike and Shari

2018 Montana Legacy 3160RL
2017 GMC Sierra 3500 Denali Duramax, CC, 4x4
Rookey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2017, 01:48 PM   #2
rohrmann
Montana Master
 
rohrmann's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,676
M.O.C. #12947
I don't know how the newer rigs are, but our 2012 has the bike carrier hitch bolted to maybe 10 gauge steel plate that had a part bent that acted like a skid. I replaced the bent part, that wore down getting in and out of the in-laws property, with 3/8" plate skids, still bolted to the thin metal. I think if a serious hitch was to be attached to these rigs, it should be attached to the I-beam frame with enough steel to to really hold a load. The thin steel is just an extension of the frame, not that strong.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
rohrmann is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2017, 04:11 PM   #3
scottz
Site Team
 
scottz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,910
M.O.C. #19755
That is a nicer hitch; a lot like the ones Keystone is using now. The one on my 2017 (the worthless 1 1/4" one like yours) and the ones they are putting on now are welded directly to the frame but still not sure if I would tow my Jeep with it.

Here is a picture of what the factory is doing now.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	DSC_6739 Rear Hitch -2.JPG
Views:	39
Size:	537.2 KB
ID:	747  
__________________
Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
scottz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2017, 04:28 PM   #4
Rookey
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Folsom
Posts: 63
M.O.C. #19613
Yeah that hitch looks nicer and probably would've worked for me. As Rohrmann mentioned, the weak spot for me is where the L-shaped bracket drops down from the square tubing. It's 1/8" thick, (if I measured correctly). It is still plenty strong for me since I'm only using for bikes or a burn barrel and wood or the portable BW tank. With the original which is rated at 150#, that max would have decreased since I needed a converter to a 2" receiver. Anyway, the braces still need to be beefed-up if one is going to tow something, for sure.
__________________
Mike and Shari

2018 Montana Legacy 3160RL
2017 GMC Sierra 3500 Denali Duramax, CC, 4x4
Rookey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2017, 04:59 PM   #5
Butch & Kathy
Montana Fan
 
Butch & Kathy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: West Melbourne
Posts: 310
M.O.C. #18980
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rookey View Post
I did not like the wimpy hitch that came with the Legacy Edition package on our Monty. I unbolted, and took to a welding/fabricator. He used it for a template and went to 2" instead of the 1 1/4 and I went to a 2" receiver since I have a couple different carriers that are 2". Here's a pic showing the difference. Just wanted to share. I used a Drawtite pin with a lock that helps to tighten the Swagman bike carrier so it does not move at all.
I like it Rookey. I have been looking to upgrade mine to better carry bikes. Can you share the cost with us?
__________________
Butch and Kathy
2016 3160RL Legacy, Sailun S637, Centramatic Balancers, 2-T105s, Amish Refrigeration, ARPrv, SoftStartRV, FlexArmor roof
2016 F350 6.7L SRW
Butch & Kathy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2017, 10:42 AM   #6
Rookey
Seasoned Camper
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Folsom
Posts: 63
M.O.C. #19613
Thanks Butchy. The welder used the old rack for a template and cut the mounting brackets off to use for the new rack. I also asked him to extend the receiver 1". He charged me $250.
__________________
Mike and Shari

2018 Montana Legacy 3160RL
2017 GMC Sierra 3500 Denali Duramax, CC, 4x4
Rookey is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:25 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.