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05-23-2011, 11:29 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 351
M.O.C. #10119
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1.25 inch hitch receiver on back of monty
Our 5th wheel came with a 1.25 inch receiver on the back of our 3150RL 5th wheel. I'd like to carry two bikes on a bike carrier that slides into the 1.25" receiver. Is this hitch strong enough to handle two bikes on a bike carrier. The hitch is bolted to the frame with two brackets that are welded to the frame and there are 3 bolts on each side holding the hitch. I'm wondering if this 1.25" set up is reliable enough, or whether I should scrap it and get a 2 inch hitch installed. Does anyone use a 1.25 inch hitch, and what are your thoughts?
I guess I should have stated that the bikes are 21 speed mountain bikes. They are not motorcycles. I don't have a store bought bike carrier. I'm using a cargo carrier that slides into a hitch receiver. I have attached two bicycle fork mounts to the cargo carrier floor, so I will be removing the front wheels and securing the bike forks to the fork mounts and using straps to hold down the rear part of the bikes.
__________________
DPAM
2017 GMC Denali diesel, crewcab, 4x4, regular box.
2010 Montana 3150RL- Moving to Montana Package , Hickory Edition Package, wet bolts
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05-23-2011, 12:23 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3,335
M.O.C. #10496
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__________________
2010 3150RL
LevelUp, Dual 6 volt batteries, Progressive Industries EMS HW50C, Honda EU2000i Generator, Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires, Torklift Glowstep Revolution Stairs, LED Tail lights
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie SRW LB CC Cummins 6.7L Aisin Trans B&W RVK3600
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05-23-2011, 12:44 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Anytown
Posts: 621
M.O.C. #10966
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Many have said the 1.25" receiver is not very sturdy, but obviously that depends on what you're carrying and how well the hitch and supporting members are attached to the trailer frame.
You should be fine I would think with two bikes and carrier less than 100 lbs or so. That said, I would personally prefer a solid 2" receiver.
The main thing IMO, would be to have a way to cinch down the hitch into the receiver somehow. Here is one way (although for a 2" receiver).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042VNBP4
__________________
2011 Montana 3580RL, Reese 20k GooseBox w/offset B&W ball, Sailuns, RoadMaster shocks, Splendide stacked washer/dryer, Progressive HW50C, some other stuff...
2015 Ram 3500 DRW Laramie Megacab, Aisin w/3.73s, 255/80 17 Toyos A/T III, rear auto level, 40 gal. fuel/tool combo box, B&W Turnover ball,
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05-23-2011, 01:00 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,387
M.O.C. #8728
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That hitch is rated for 300#.
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05-23-2011, 01:08 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Canon City
Posts: 1,340
M.O.C. #7919
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I converted mine to a 2" hitch because I had a 2" bike carrier. It was simple to unbolt the 1 1/4" hitch and bolt on the 2" Hidden Hitch I had from my previous unit.
I also added another bolt up through the Monty frame. The 2" hitch now is much more stable than the 1 1/4" that came with the unit.
I have no plans to haul anymore weight than two bikes. It would take a lot more beef than what is there now.
Joe
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05-23-2011, 01:47 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: North East
Posts: 1,050
M.O.C. #10758
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I already have a 2" bike rack, so I bought a 1 1/4" to 2" adapter. After putting the adapter and rack into the receiver and put 1 bike on the rack, my whole combo bounced up and down with little effort. The hitch was twisting in the center where the receiver is.
And this was with just 1 bike on the rack. So, I took it off and didn't take the bikes.
I will get a welder out and have a custom made 2" hitch installed.
Best thing to try is borrow a bike rack, try to see if yours is sturdier than mine. Worse comes to worse, get a pipe and put it into the hole and see if it flexes easily.
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05-23-2011, 02:59 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Bonita Springs
Posts: 1,943
M.O.C. #6977
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The 1.25 hitch bounces so much , the bikes will go through the rear window, have a friend follow you on the rode for 10 miles over all kinds of rds and over RR trackes ,, I had Xnavydiver follow me out of the keys 2 yrs ago and he made me take the bikes off as they were bouncing so bad . the hitch since I have added 2 welded on braces to hold it some what steady , ask the xnavydiver, he will tell you;;;sailer
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05-23-2011, 03:55 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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I bought an adapter like the others mentioned, but also purchased two ratcheting straps to stabilize the bike rack.
Bingo
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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05-24-2011, 03:02 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Bonita Springs
Posts: 1,943
M.O.C. #6977
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Bingo; What are you going to strap the tye downs to, If its the ladder you mite tear it off on a bad bridge...sailer
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05-24-2011, 03:42 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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I am strapping the bottom of the bike rack to the frame itself. It holds the rack down to prevent bouncing and prevents swaying at the same time. They are ratcheting type straps which allows me to adjust them as needed. I would never attach anything to the ladder when in motion, when stationary the only thing attached to the ladder is the Jim Fischer/John Kohl designed (not sure who actually should get the credit) PVC laundry rack.
Bingo
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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05-25-2011, 02:40 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Galena
Posts: 990
M.O.C. #7380
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bncinwv... sent you a PM! would love a pic of the bike rack with the strapes. We just bought a 2009 Montana with the 1 1/4 inch hitch but also have a 2 inch taken off our old Montana. Have not installed the 2 inch yet and would like to use the 1 1/4 until I get the switch done. It does seem pretty flimsey. I like the rachet strap idea for support...
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05-25-2011, 04:40 AM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Redlands
Posts: 460
M.O.C. #9135
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Could you post a picture on how you strap yours Bingo. I'm interested in how you do it also.
Thanks!
__________________
2011 3150RL
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05-25-2011, 04:54 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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It will be a while before I can post pics, since we have no plans for camping in the near future (boat and ski are finally in the water!) and the rig is in mini-storage. As I described to Cdaniels in a PM, the strap is run beneath the horizontal cross bar that the receiver is mounted to and then attached to the supports for the electric stabilizer jacks. The strap is mainly horizontal with a slight downward path beneath the bar. Keep in mind, the advantage I have is that with the rear-view camera, the bike rack is in full view at all times. If it appears to be moving more than usual, I can tighten the ratchets up as needed. One thing I am pondering is the addition of a couple of diagonal straps from the bike rack itself to the existing straps to eliminate even more of the swaying. I will post pictures in the future of the entire assembly.
Bingo
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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