Hitch needed on 5th Wheel

[HawkeyeDoesFly]

Hello All,
I now own a 2007 Montana 3400RL.

I want to add a large receiver hitch to it at the rear to carry several items on a "removable" flat carrying platform.

1. Should it be welded onto the trailer or just bolted?

2. Any recommendations for a Name/Brand to install?

Thanks, HawKeye

[Slow Hand]

Bolting would be fine. Make sure you use grade 8 bolts. I prefer 1/2 or larger. Lock tite on the threads. I would only use the frame as a mountain point. Just make sure that you dont over load the frame. It would be a good idea to box or reinforce the frame in the same area. I am not a fan of welding as i have seen welds brake but it's usually it's the metal around the weld not so much as the weld itself

[beeje]

Originally Posted by Slow Hand

Bolting would be fine. Make sure you use grade 8 bolts. I prefer 1/2 or larger. Lock tite on the threads. I would only use the frame as a mountain point. Just make sure that you dont over load the frame. It would be a good idea to box or reinforce the frame in the same area. I am not a fan of welding as i have seen welds brake but it's usually it's the metal around the weld not so much as the weld itself

If you are not a fan of welding, then you have the wrong welder doing it. A weld is by FAR much stronger than any bolt. Just like a properly glued wood joint, the weld/joint is usually stronger than the surrounding metal/wood.

[HawkeyeDoesFly]

Thanks so much!

[drjjj]

We have a 2007 3400RL. If you contact Keystone expect them to tell you not to do it (that’s what they told me).

[HawkeyeDoesFly]

Originally Posted by drjjj

We have a 2007 3400RL. If you contact Keystone expect them to tell you not to do it (that’s what they told me).

You are appreciated and that's what I really expect if I continue down this path. May have to put the items up front on my truck. BTW: You are the first person to have my same 5th wheel, year and model 3400RL and to reply to me. Cheers! HawKeye

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeDoesFly

You are appreciated and that's what I really expect if I continue down this path. May have to put the items up front on my truck. BTW: You are the first person to have my same 5th wheel, year and model 3400RL and to reply to me. Cheers! HawKeye

I sold my 2008 3400RL this past spring, bought new. I wouldn't of had any problem as my friend putting on a receiver hitch, and pulling a 12' ATV trailer with a ATV on it with his 2010 Montana fifth wheel, can't imagine our frames are any different then his . There is no use putting on a 14,000 lb rated receiver ,can't tow that much or the tongue weight associated with it.

My present fifth wheel has the same frame as the old Montana, the receiver on it is rated for 5,000 lbs towing ,and 500 lbs. tongue weight. 500 lbs is quite of bit weight, not sure what you want to put back there, but would it be more then the 500 ???

[HawkeyeDoesFly]

Hello DRJJJ & ALL!

I am going to locate a good hitch with a 500lb tongue weight. The gentleman camped two spaces away has a FACTORY INSTALLED rear hitch. His Montana is very similar. He also put clamps on the hitch/receiver to stop the slop and flex just like PSFORD99 posted pictures.

If the factory put one on, then it should be OK to mount an after-factory hitch. Not a 14,000 lbs hitch. I totally agree. X-Cross members or Gussetts sound like a good idea.

I will close out this thread for my own needs and encourage others to continue the discussion. You all are terrific for the help provided me.
Gratefully,
HawKeye

[Leftie Canuk]

Slow Hand:
In reading posts after your suggestion re: "box or reinforce the frame...", I believe you are meaning the factory "C" or "I" channel frame members should be closed in near the area of the bolted on receiver, to better withstand the various kinds of loads imposed on the factory frame by the cargo platform to be slipped into the add-on receiver ? I think some posters may be assuming you meant weld on the receiver, which would not be necessary, or preferred, as a loaded cargo tray should certainly not be over a few hundred pounds, given the amount of movement that goes on with something hanging off the back end. Anyone who has watched bike racks and generator platforms flail around behind an RV can imagine the forces at work on the single mounting point (the receiver).

[beeje]

Yes the factory hitches move up and down quite a bit with bikes or a generator on them. But after 10,000 miles is it still there.

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by beeje

Yes the factory hitches move up and down quite a bit with bikes or a generator on them. But after 10,000 miles is it still there.

Is the receiver hitch itself moving up ,and down ?? Most likely its the bike rack or those platforms that are moving up ,and down from the play in the receiver ,not the receiver .

From what I can see when following a car or fifth wheel with those carriers its the carrier itself thats moving around inside of the receiver .

Thats one of things I dislike about my Andersen Rapid hitch, its aluminum, and between the play in it ,and the play in the sleeve adapter that enables us to use hitches with the 2x2 tube or solid bar that goes in these new 3 x 3 receiver hitches on the newer trucks . I hit a bump ,and I can hear it rattle in the receiver when there is nothing being towed. So I can imagine how much a bike rack would be bouncing up ,and down.

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by Leftie Canuk

Slow Hand:
In reading posts after your suggestion re: "box or reinforce the frame...", I believe you are meaning the factory "C" or "I" channel frame members should be closed in near the area of the bolted on receiver, to better withstand the various kinds of loads imposed on the factory frame by the cargo platform to be slipped into the add-on receiver ? I think some posters may be assuming you meant weld on the receiver, which would not be necessary, or preferred, as a loaded cargo tray should certainly not be over a few hundred pounds, given the amount of movement that goes on with something hanging off the back end. Anyone who has watched bike racks and generator platforms flail around behind an RV can imagine the forces at work on the single mounting point (the receiver).

Its hard to say if we are getting any flex out of the frame at the receiver , possibly . That would be any easy fix, same as what they do where the spring hangers are welded to the frame.

I fish lakes with a one man framed inflatable pontoon boat.I have to disassemble it ,and store it in the fifth wheel. I have seen carriers that enable someone to transport these boats on a receiver hitch on the back of a trailer ,SUV ,whatever vehicle that has a receiver hitch assembled ,and ready to fish with . I am in the process of fabricating such a carrier for the back of my fifth wheel. Most likely I will do some frame reinforcing for this. Although the pontoon boat itself is only around 70 lbs, not a lot, but its 9 ' long, and will have a little bit of leverage hanging vertical on the back of the fifth wheel .

[HawkeyeDoesFly]

Hello SlowHand!

I am going to locate a good hitch with a 500lb tongue weight. The gentleman camped two spaces away has a FACTORY INSTALLED rear hitch. His Montana is very similar. He also put clamps on the hitch/receiver to stop the slop and flex just like someone here posted pictures.

I will close out this thread for my own needs and encourage others to continue the discussion. You all are terrific for the help provided me.
Gratefully,
HawKeye

[Montana Man]

A bolt on unit is fine. You aren't going to apply forces that a few bolts can't handle. Besides, it gives you options for removal later without much effort.

[beeje]

Originally Posted by Montana Man

A bolt on unit is fine. You aren't going to apply forces that a few bolts can't handle. Besides, it gives you options for removal later without much effort.

The hitch from the factory uses both. There's a bracket welded to the frame and the hitch is bolted to that with four bolts on each side

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by beeje

The hitch from the factory uses both. There's a bracket welded to the frame and the hitch is bolted to that with four bolts on each side

There are no brackets welded on my frame . A bent bracket, with gussets welded to the receiver itself , as well as the tubing etc , with that being bolted to the frame. Same as my truck receiver bolted to the frame.

See no purpose in welding to the frame, I have built several receivers , and have always bolted to the frame.

Think about what you are saying in your previous post ,welds are stronger then the bolts ,yet its bolted to the bracket thats welded to the frame, so you are right back where you started ,relying on the hitch bolted to the frame bracket . Its only as strong as those bolts or welds ,you chose .

[beeje]

Originally Posted by PSFORD99

There are no brackets welded on my frame . A bent bracket, with gussets welded to the receiver itself , as well as the tubing etc , with that being bolted to the frame. Same as my truck receiver bolted to the frame.

See no purpose in welding to the frame, I have built several receivers , and have always bolted to the frame.

Think about what you are saying in your previous post ,welds are stronger then the bolts ,yet its bolted to the bracket thats welded to the frame, so you are right back where you started ,relying on the hitch bolted to the frame bracket . Its only as strong as those bolts or welds ,you chose .

We are currently camping and I just went out and looked at my factory hitch again there are to c channels with the c part facing the outside of the camper. The C channels are welded to the bottom side of the frame. The hitch assembly bolts to the back sides of those C Channels with four bolts on each side.

I took a good picture but for some reason I can't figure out how to post it from this phone

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by beeje

We are currently camping and I just went out and looked at my factory hitch again there are to c channels with the c part facing the outside of the camper. The C channels are welded to the bottom side of the frame. The hitch assembly bolts to the back sides of those C Channels with four bolts on each side.

I took a good picture but for some reason I can't figure out how to post it from this phone

It sounds like like things have change ,my friends 2010 Montana was bolted ,and he built a new receiver hitch that was a bit more stout ,and bolted it to the existing holes ,but added one more ,plus some gussets . But no welding to the frame . As said you may be welded to the frame ,but the end results is your hitch is bolted to the bracket. So you are right back to where you started, as if you would just bolted everything. Nothing was accomplished by welding to the frame.

My aftermarket receiver hitch as said is bolted ,no welding ,neither is receiver hitches on our trucks, at least not my Ram or my previous Superduty .

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by Montana Man

A bolt on unit is fine. You aren't going to apply forces that a few bolts can't handle. Besides, it gives you options for removal later without much effort.

Exactly , as said you don't see receivers welded to our truck frames ,all bolted . If you happen to have a truck that does not have a receiver hitch, there are aftermarket sold, and they are not welded ,they are bolted.

[Rich Lazz]

So that means you drill the frame and i alway wonder about that. And does the under-cover come off easliy?
Newbie rich 2001 f250 2006 montana 2931 rl