Hauling a Motorcycle Behind a Fifth Wheel

Thread Summary

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Original Member Title: Hauling a motorcycle on a 5ver hitch
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The original poster wanted to carry a motorcycle on a rear platform behind a fifth wheel after seeing another camper hauling a roughly 250 lb bike on a frame-mounted platform. Members cautioned that a heavier bike, estimated by the poster at about 500 lbs, could significantly affect axle loads, pin weight, handling, hitch capacity, frame strength, and tire ratings, and several suggested weighing the loaded RV before making decisions.

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Samthetramp

Samthetramp

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2015
Posts
344
Location
Maceo
I've searched and found nothing. Yes I'm aware putting several hundred pounds on the rear may cause issues. There's a 5ver here in the campground with a bike on the rear receiver hitch on a platform. Just noticed it tonight and haven't talked to them yet. Anyone have experience hauling a several hundred pounds bike/load on a platform on the back of a 5ver? Don't have a toy hauler and really wanting a bike.
 
What kind of Bike? Big cruiser or a lighter type of bike.
Did the platform have any wheels on it or is it just hanging from a single 2” receiver? Or multiple receivers?
 
Samthetramp said:
Anyone have experience hauling a several hundred pounds bike/load on a platform on the back of a 5ver?
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As Derby said, it depends on the motorcycle, and it also depends on the trailer and its weight distribution. When you add weight behind the axles of any trailer it effectively moves some weight from the hitch onto the axles, effectively lowering the hitch weight. You need to consider things like the weight limitation of your hitch receiver, the structure of the trailer's frame, and the overall effect. Your trailer should have a maximum weight rating for the hitch from the trailer manufacturer and you need to be careful of overloading one or more tires on the trailer as well as the change in weight distribution effects on handling. The tires and axles also have a max weight rating.

Copilot Search Branding:

Effects of a Motorcycle Lift on the Back of an RV​

Adding a motorcycle lift to the rear of an RV can significantly affect weight distribution, towing capacity, and structural integrity if not properly sized and installed.
1. Weight Distribution and Axle Load
A motorcycle lift is a cantilevered load — the bike and lift are mounted far behind the rear axle. This creates a mechanical advantage that transfers more than the bike’s actual weight to the rear axle. For example, a 700–1,000 lb load 5–6 ft behind the axle can push 1,500+ lbs onto the rear axle iRV2 Forums. This can overload the rear GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) and increase pin weight, potentially causing poor ride quality, tire wear, and handling issues.
2. Tongue Weight and Towing Capacity
If the lift is hitch-mounted, the total load (bike + lift) must be within the hitch’s tongue weight rating (often 500 lbs max for Class III/IV receivers) carinterior.alibaba.com. Exceeding this can cause the trailer hitch to fail under stress, especially with side-loading from a swinging motorcycle carinterior.alibaba.com. This also reduces the amount of tongue weight available for the trailer, affecting stability.
3. Structural and Frame Considerations
Factory-installed hitch receivers are not designed for the dynamic loads of a motorcycle. Heavy bikes can cause frame fatigue, hitch failure, or loss of control in high windscarinterior.alibaba.com. Some owners reinforce the hitch or use swivel-wheel trailers instead www.mygrandrv.com. If the lift is chassis-mounted, ensure the frame is reinforced to handle the load and any potential stress points iRV2 Forums.
4. CCC and Legal Limits
The total loaded weight of the RV plus the motorcycle lift must stay within the Combined Capacity Certificate (CCC) and state towing laws. Adding 1,000 lbs to the rear can push the rig beyond legal limits, especially if the bike is also being towed behind iRV2 Forums+1.
5. Safety and Practical Alternatives
  • Swivel-wheel trailers or toy haulers are often safer and more stable for heavy bikes www.keystoneforums.com+1.
  • If using a hitch-mounted lift, choose a structural Class III/IV receiver and reinforce it if needed carinterior.alibaba.com.
  • Always secure the bike with wheel chocks and locking systems Decide Outside.
  • Consider renting bikes at destinations to avoid overloading.
  • Bottom line:
A motorcycle lift can be safe if the RV’s hitch, frame, and weight ratings are adequate, and the load is within legal limits. However, the cantilever effect means the rear axle and hitch are under significant stress, so careful planning, reinforcement, and alternative hauling methods may be necessary for safety and compliance.
 
So the guy here has what looks like one of those expanded metal floored platforms that is attached directly to the frame rails. He says his bike is approximately 250 lbs. Claims it doesn't affect pulling up to 65 mph. He doesn't go faster. Wife follows and says it rides very stable. He did change his camper tires to 14,000 lb versus the 10's that were on it. They have a bumper pull with a weight distribution hitch.

I'm guessing my bike around 500 lbs. Have a 5ver on G rated tires. Will have to check axle ratings. 2018 Montana 3791RD.
 
Samthetramp said:
So the guy here has what looks like one of those expanded metal floored platforms that is attached directly to the frame rails. He says his bike is approximately 250 lbs. Claims it doesn't affect pulling up to 65 mph. He doesn't go faster. Wife follows and says it rides very stable. He did change his camper tires to 14,000 lb versus the 10's that were on it. They have a bumper pull with a weight distribution hitch.

I'm guessing my bike around 500 lbs. Have a 5ver on G rated tires. Will have to check axle ratings. 2018 Montana 3791RD.
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At 500 lbs, I’d be looking for one of them platform trailers with a single wheel. When we bough our last 5’er, the rear was built up with a piece of 6” channel iron and wrapped in stainless steel. There were three receivers in that set up. One in the middle and the other two were about 2 1/2’ out from the center. I never found out what it was for so I’m guessing it was for one of those platform trailers I described. Be careful going through some states. It may be illegal to tow that way. You may be able to get away with it if you say it is part of the 5’er and the dolly wheel just keeps it off the pavement.
 
I was going to recommend looking at swivel wheel systems if your speed would not exceed 65. I think it was cruiser lift or something like that.
At any rate, I can’t find it on google. Maybe went under?
 
Samthetramp said:
I'm guessing my bike around 500 lbs.
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Good luck. You may need it. Have you ever weighed the RV when ready for travel to know the actual weight on each axle?
1780166715742.png
 
Samthetramp said:
Thanks for the info. Really appreciate it.
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Kirk said:
Good luck. You may need it. Have you ever weighed the RV when ready for travel to know the actual weight on each axle?
View attachment 2462121
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I have not. Camper stays in use. I'm a full timer for work. Guess I need to try and find a place but it won't be until I move again. How do I use those numbers once I have them? I assume overhang is always rear overhang?
 
Derby6 said:
Hold on @Samthetramp — That’s the ticket right there. Much like the old swivel wheel system. At a glance maybe improved a bit.
Might get me back on the SxS prowl. Lol
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Derby6 said:
Hold on @Samthetramp — That’s the ticket right there. Much like the old swivel wheel system. At a glance maybe improved a bit.
Might get me back on the SxS prowl. Lol
Click to expand...
Looks real expensive to me.
 
The craziest I saw out on the highway was the bike sideways and riding on a platform hanging off the back, it looked like it had lawnmower tires on it. Going down the interstate at 65+
 
Derby6 said:
I was going to recommend looking at swivel wheel systems if your speed would not exceed 65. I think it was cruiser lift or something like that.
At any rate, I can’t find it on google. Maybe went under?
Click to expand...

Some states consider that as double towing even though it's permanently attached and not a trailer but has it's own wheel.
Illegal in a lot of states.
 
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