NEW Montana & Hitch built above frame? - Montana Owners Club

JimIrish7 · 07-01-2021, 04:55 AM

WOW- Leaving at the end of next week for 7 weeks. (BRAND NEW MHC)
Have never used my hitch yet to put our bike racks on.
1. Went out to connect it yesterday and found out my hitch will not work.
The mount is around a 1/4inch above the frame the way it was mounted. Therefore, can not get my bike mount in to connect. I am baffled at this one.
I have an appointment on Monday before we leave at Camping World and will show them this before I leave. ANY ADVICE ON HOW TO FIX THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
2. The reason for the appointment with CAMPING WORLD is that my tank lights for black, gray etc. have never registered and we took it in 2 weeks ago and they had to get approval from Keystone to fix it. Luckily it is still under warranty.(When we bought the 5th wheel the lights worked.) I also told camping world that if you do not have approval yet from Keystone, I will pay to have it fixed and recoup my money back from Keystone since we are leaving next week.
FYI- Camping World has been a pleasure to work with. ASK FOR SEAN!

Whew-any advice?
Thanks
Jim

432bartman · 07-01-2021, 10:12 AM

I'm trying to visualize it, and can only hope you get it remedied in time for your trip.

**DQDick** · 07-01-2021, 11:02 AM

On our 2010 we had to use an extension to get the hitch out far enough for the bike rack to work. Also, on your lights, most of us have found they don't work for long, particularly the black tank after they are new. You can put exterior sensors on and that solves the problem, but once you've camped in it a few times you know when to dump anyway. I put the exterior sensors on our 2010 and looked at them for a couple of times and then went back to dumping on schedule and will never spend that money again.

Mikendebbie · 07-01-2021, 12:12 PM

Get a hitch extension insert...see sketch below.
Plus x2 what DQDick said...don't rely on the tank sensor lights.

jimcol · 07-01-2021, 12:43 PM

I couldn't visualize from your original post what the issue is. If the other responders are correct I used something like this: https://www.amazon.com/TOPSKY-Traile...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

jetskier · 07-01-2021, 03:53 PM

The further you go out the bouncier it gets. I was just watching this dash cam compilation from today and this came up....a Montana with a rack on the back with bikes...you'll need to fast forward to 7:49s in the video to see it. If you know the rig, you can tell him where his scooter is on the side of the freeway.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNHLWekwUH0&t=470s

JimIrish7 · 07-01-2021, 06:57 PM

Here are some pictures to give you an idea- thank you.
As for the sensors- appreciate the information on the tanks.
Jim

BB_TX · 07-01-2021, 08:36 PM

If it is bolted to the frame you can get some 1/4” or 3/8” thick bar stock the width of the frame and cut to fit as spacers to drop the hitch slightly. If it is welded you got a real problem. Have to grind off the welds and then add spacers and reweld.

Daryles · 07-02-2021, 05:01 AM

The hitch may be correctly mounted to the frame. The rear wall may be too long (hung too low)???
Mine has 1"x1" square bar welded to the frame then the hitch cross beam is welded to that.
This gives it enough clearance for the hitch receiver.
Mine is only rated for 500lbs. Newer hitches are class 2 tow rated I believe.

JimIrish7 · 07-02-2021, 05:37 AM

Just went out to look at it again.
I think you are correct the rear wall is hung too low.
YIKES
We are leaving next Thursday- Any creative options?
Going to Camping World Monday to talk to them.

I assume this is will all be fixed given it is under warranty. Not sure if they can get it done by Thursday.

Daryles · 07-02-2021, 05:46 AM

The only quick fix I can think of is what BB_Tx said. Cut it off add shims, then weld it back on.
Check the sticker on it to see what the rating is (Class 2 or otherwise). If they do cut it off and redo it I would make sure the do it to specs (class 2 if that's the case).

JimIrish7 · 07-02-2021, 07:18 AM

Ok- Assume that is under warranty?
Would it be hard for Camping World to do that?

432bartman · 07-02-2021, 08:19 AM

On the topic of hitch extensions, which I looked into, those will reduce your overall weight rating by 1/2 if I recall correctly.

prndl · 07-02-2021, 08:59 AM

Take it to a welding/hitch shop and they will make it right.

JimIrish7 · 07-02-2021, 09:00 AM

Ok- thank you

CADman_KS · 07-02-2021, 04:49 PM

I don't know what CW you'd be going to, but I wouldn't trust anyone at a CW, or most RV dealers for that matter, to do anything involving welding. Take it to bona fide/certified welder or weld shop.

We had to have some paint work done our on 2020 (under warranty), and Gander (CW in disguise) actually sent it to a professional to have it done. I was surprised. Ironically, they DID decide to put the decals on themselves, and they screwed that up, so they had to reorder, and redo those.

Bob and Jeannette · 07-07-2021, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikendebbie

Get a hitch extension insert...see sketch below.
Plus x2 what DQDick said...don't rely on the tank sensor lights.

Good answers here.

Theo · 07-07-2021, 01:14 PM

All you need is a hitch extension you can get from Amazon in different lengths

ShaneGreen · 07-07-2021, 01:17 PM

Now that's a bit of a problem. I echo what everyone else has said, do not trust CW for this kind of repair.

There are a couple of options I've seen on this and other boards:
1) some trucks actually have the clearance to carry the bikes on a rack on the hitch of their truck. Yes, they end up between the tailgate and front cargo area, but some folks have the room.

2) You can have a bracket and receiver welded up that bolts to your pinbox. That puts your bikes up in front of the front cap.

3) I've seen quite a few with a receiver welded under the front truck bumper and carrying the bikes in front of the grill.

We carried our bikes on a rack like they are in that video. Friends driving behind us we place bets at each train track and bridge.

bcrvman · 07-07-2021, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimIrish7

WOW- Leaving at the end of next week for 7 weeks. (BRAND NEW MHC)
Have never used my hitch yet to put our bike racks on.
1. Went out to connect it yesterday and found out my hitch will not work.
The mount is around a 1/4inch above the frame the way it was mounted. Therefore, can not get my bike mount in to connect. I am baffled at this one.
I have an appointment on Monday before we leave at Camping World and will show them this before I leave. ANY ADVICE ON HOW TO FIX THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
2. The reason for the appointment with CAMPING WORLD is that my tank lights for black, gray etc. have never registered and we took it in 2 weeks ago and they had to get approval from Keystone to fix it. Luckily it is still under warranty.(When we bought the 5th wheel the lights worked.) I also told camping world that if you do not have approval yet from Keystone, I will pay to have it fixed and recoup my money back from Keystone since we are leaving next week.
FYI- Camping World has been a pleasure to work with. ASK FOR SEAN!

Whew-any advice?
Thanks
Jim

Simple extension for the hitch, but be aware that will reduce the load carrying capacity. If it's the 150lb hitch, very unlikely you can carry even 1 bike, maybe even the rack will be too much.

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