Rear Hitch

[kozzy]

Since I didn't get the Montana legacy package, I do not have the rear hitch.
To those that do have it, is there anything special done to the frame with the legacy package, or do they just add a hitch? Cause I would love to add one for a bike carrier.
just a though
Is it actually added to the frame of the camper or is there something mounted to the rear bumper? I don't think the rear bumper type would hold up at all with the stress, and I also know Keystone will not honor the warranty if there is damage from that type of bumper accessory.

[woodtic]

My hitch was mounted to the frame. Looks like they added some thin wall C channel to the bottom of the frame to lower the mounting points.

[Dam Worker]

My Legacy package did not include a hitch in the rear. 2016 3160 = no hitch. I wanted a hitch but not available same as the upgraded awnings, heat pump AC's etc. Lots of rules that Keystone makes you follow. If you add a hitch they may claim it voids your warrantee. Closest I have seen is getting the rear bumper when you don't get the LE. I will probably add a hitch after the long warrantee is over.

Tom Marty

[kozzy]

I'm going to have to look under there and see if I can add a hitch to the frame. the bumper just wont work. I need a way to carry the kids bikes. I had the hitch on the bumper on my old Grand Designs, but they allowed it. keystone says no way.

[bigskyjimmy]

Or just another option is just forget the rear 5er hitch and get a Draw-tite 2 inch bolt on front reciever hitch and carrier with the anti-wobble plate where you can SEE the bicycles and are MUCH more stable and do not bounce around like they do on the wimpy 1 1/2 inch reciever and carrier I had on the rear of my 2012 Monty which I never liked and as you can see in my pic I haul a 220 LB Scooter on mine(I sold the Bicycles got lazy) and also Which you cannot see is I haul a another scooter behind the cab sideways in the Bed ,with the new Max Turn front Caps when I turn tight backing up it Never hits the scooter so there's ANOTHER option for ya

[Rondo]

WARNING!!! To those of you that have a newer Montana, High Country, Big Sky or Mountaineer, If you add a hitch to the frame of your unit it could VOID your frame warranty. We have asked about this at the Fall Rallies over the years and the same answer is given to us--"Unless Lippert (LCI) installs the hitch it will void the frame warranty. They can put hitches on some of the units but some cannot have hitches installed according to the customer service at Lippert because I tried to have one put on my unit and they told me they could not.

[kozzy]

Yeah, keystone told me the same thing, this why im still trying to figure out the bike rack situation. jimmy, I like the scooters, but my kids are 5, they like bikes, and I probably could use the exercise. Maybe ill look into the front mount, I have a plow mount up there so that might create another issue in itself. I wonder if the make a receiver adaptor that can mount to that...that holds my 900 lbs plow, I think it could handle 100 lbs worth of bikes for a trip

[bncinwv]

We have a Hidden Hitch on the front of our Chevrolet. Install was about a half hour, on ours it bolted directly to the recovery hook mounts. Comes in handy for bikes or cargo carrier. I believe they have them for about every model.
Bingo

[Kampn]

Our 2016 3000 RE Legacy came with the rear hitch. The unit we looked at on the lot didn't have it, but the one we ordered did, which was a pleasant surprise. We were told that they had just included the hitch as part of the current 2016 revisions, there were several other changes such as a completely different bedroom closet with a separate front facing washer dryer compartment. Perhaps the folks at Montana are reading the suggestions on MOC :-) Our rear hitch looks like it bolted to two short pieces of frame and then those two pieces of frame are bolted to the main camper frame.

[Jimmer]

The dealer had a 2 in hitch receiver custom made. They took 1 inch square stock welded across the frame and then the receiver welded to that. Hitch is perfect for a bike rack. If anything it makes the frame stronger. Works great.

[timandsusan]

After getting advice from MOCers, I installed a receiver on the front for my 2 bikes. Drove over 7000 miles last summer and it worked great. Best of all--I could see the bikes! At home in the stick house, I have left my bike rack on the front--no need to switch it back to the rear receiver. So, it worked for us.

[Billorn]

I also recommend getting a front hitch, look on etrailer that's where I got both of mine, I've used them for the last (3) years with no problem

[Dam Worker]

Interesting that the late 2016's are coming with a hitch. Really makes you wonder how they can look you in the eye and tell you your warrantee is void if you install one yourself or have someone besides the frame manufacture install one. I am sure that it would make your frame stronger with a hitch installed. Now I do understand that there could be people that would overload their hitches and then complain if something happened. I will probably have one added sometime in the future.

Tom. Marty

[sambam]

I still carry mine on the roof of the truck with a Thule. I've been doing it that way for 20+ years. As I get older and the trucks get taller, it becomes more difficult, but I'm still managing. It's an option if you're not comfortable with a rack on the front of your truck. The bikes will fit sideways behind the cab with the front tires removed, as well. I have a longbed so there is no issue when turning the Montana. I use that area when hauling more than 2 bikes. Someone on here had a receiver welded to his pinbox. That looked like a great idea as well.

[okierver]

i also researched the idea for my 2014 montana 3625re. to pull a single jetski. found the curt 13703 class 3 rv hitch it works on frames upto 72' wide, and can be used with regular frame , c type frame or the I frame like is on mine. i ordered yesterday from amaxzon will follow up after the install