Rear hitch receiver

ripp1202 · 01-31-2006, 12:50 PM

Has anyone bought and installed the rear hitch for Trailmanor? Was it worth it,Easy to install,Well built,Do you think it will hold the 100 pounds like they say? Thinking of buying one !!!! and does it bolt to the frame?? Thanks The Rip

maybe a picture

Speckul8r · 02-01-2006, 07:16 AM

I have this hitch on my 2720. Did not install it myself. Had the dealer do it while he was doing the final trailer "setup". After looking at the installation, I know I could have done it and saved a few clams. If I remember correctly, it bolts to the "ears" that hold the bumper to the frame. You'll have to drill 4 holes and I think they were in the 1/2" neighborhod. Using a floor jack to hold the hitch up in the middle and 2 good c-clamps to align it to those "ears", it should be a piece of cake.
I shoved the bike rack in, bounced on the horizontal member that was left exposed and it seemed sturdy enough. I weigh ~185. Put 2 bikes on it and drove 3 hours up and back and have seen no signs of stress. The bikes are close to 30#@. So, Yes, I do think it will do the 100#'s and it will be worth it.
The hitch is rated at 100# but don't forget that the bike rack weighs something so that's part of the 100. I'll bet my rack is evey bit of 30#'s so I was right near the limit.

**rpcoombs** · 02-01-2006, 09:06 AM

When I was an RV show in Washington DC two years ago the factory representative (who has since left) stated the platform was good for 800 lbs but the 100 lb limit was set to avoid upsetting the balance of the entire TM. Cheers, Dick

02-01-2006, 07:43 PM

I have the rear hitch receiver, but mine is welded on because I ordered it with the TM from the factory.

In the first year we have not used it. Maybe I never will. I would only use it after I filled up the truck and so far I haven't done that. I wouldn't say it was a waste of money, but so far it has been unnecessary, mainly because my TV is a good sized truck. If I were towing with an SUV or van I would find it more useful.

Speckul8r · 02-02-2006, 08:37 AM

I suspect I wouldn't have mine if it weren't for the bikes. They take up a lot of room in the pickup and I don't want a front rack.

02-02-2006, 09:19 AM

Before you commit, you might also consider the Swagman bike rack that attaches to the tongue between the TV and TM. The advantage is keeping the CG forward, eliminating a possible source of sway that comes from adding weight behind the TM axle. Rocky Mountain Ray swears by this rig, which can be had with a swivel. This allows the rack (bikes and all, I understand) to be tilted back so that a tailgate can be opened without removing the bikes.

I looked at both and eventually got the TM rear mount from the factory. Just worked better for my uses, but I certainly would recommend considering Ray's solution as well.

FWIW,
Jon and Rita

ripp1202 · 02-07-2006, 03:03 PM

Any pictures yet ????????Would really like to see how it bolts to the frame Thanks The Rip

03-17-2006, 09:42 AM

Has anyone here tried a front receiver (a receiver that mounts to the front of the tow vehicle) for mounting a bike rack?

ripp1202 · 03-17-2006, 10:52 AM

Yes I have one on my truck

03-17-2006, 11:00 AM

I remember seeing a picture in this forum that had a picture of a rear reciever hitch installed. Can't remeber which one at this point becasue I've been pouring over so much the last several weeks. Might want to do a search for it.