One of the things I would be concerned with is the amount of weight the scooter would remove from your hitch point. When I checked into adding an 800lb motorcycle to the back of my MH I found out I actually would be adding 2100lbs. The biggest issue was the distance from the rear axle to where the motorcycle would be mounted.
The motorcyle was about 830lbs the lift about 350lbs and the rest was the distance I was talking about above. Granted your talking about less weight but some weight will be removed from your hitch point. Check out cruizerlift.com, I believe they have a formula you can use to figure out the increased load.
Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Wednesday 18th of April 2012 06:52:37 PM
crafter32034 said
12:49 PM Apr 18, 2012
I've been seeking a way to carry my mobility scooter when we hit the road in our 5th wheel next year. While wr're living aboard full tIme now, we aren't hitting the road until Mary Kay retires. The only solution we've come up with is a mobility scooted carrier attached to the rear of our Suites. Does anyone have experience/advice for this kind of setup?
Thanks.
flyone said
06:51 PM Apr 18, 2012
By being a fifthwheel----and adding weight behind the axles you will be taking pin weight off of your truck. Because of the lift being exerted from the weight out behind the axle. To light pin weight can cause towing problems. Lets see, I have seen this before but to get an estimate of the pin weight you will be removing (for weight added behind the axles) Multiply the distance in inches from the center of the two axles (assuming there are 2) to the center of gravity of the item (probably close to the center of the item, unless it is weighted real heavy on one side from something like a battery or two), now multiply the weight of said item by the length in inches. Now measure from the center of axles to the king pin, in inches. Now divide the first number (weight X inches) by the second number (inches to king pin) that number is how much weight you will be removing from your previous pin weight. Example 48" behind center of axles 350 lb=16,800---- 238" from center of axles to the king pin. 16,800/238=70.5 lb less pin weight. (I think). But keep in mind that same weight will have to be added to your GCVW, and to your trailer weight carrying capacity.
Flyone
(NOTE: my opinon only, I'am not a professional)
Terry and Jo said
02:00 AM Apr 19, 2012
Whatever you install at the rear of the Suites will need to be attached to the frame instead of a Class III hitch receiver. The maximum weight that can be installed on those is about 300 lbs. While the towing weight capacity is much higher, what is referred to as "tongue" weight is the 300 lbs. At least that is what we were told when we had the Class III added to our Mobile Suites. The towing weight, should you choose to use a trailer and double-tow, is a maximum of 3000 lbs for the Class III.
Terry
3fortheroad said
11:04 AM Apr 20, 2012
Found this site on the web yesterday that may be of some interest to someone. http:/www.doublehitch.com
On the escapees forum "Beginning RVing" look up post started by Rooster "Towing a trailer behind a 5th wheel" and the reply that Billieg left. Seems it can be a trailer or a extended platform with load bearing wheels.
-- Edited by 3fortheroad on Friday 20th of April 2012 11:05:27 AM
-- Edited by 3fortheroad on Friday 20th of April 2012 11:06:31 AM
Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Friday 20th of April 2012 03:30:10 PM
Trabuco said
06:28 PM Apr 20, 2012
Here is a link to a site that sells the swivel wheel trailer. When we were considering a MH I checked these to haul my Harley. Whats nice about a single wheel trailer is tracks right behind your 5th wheel. As you back up the 5th wheel the swivel wheel would track in the same direction as your 5th wheel. One wheel and 2 attach points so in theory you would never have to disconnect it. With your scooter you could buy their smallest trailer and it would add no more than about 5 feet to the overall length. From everything I've read it's not considered double towing. But I guess that would be up to the individual states to decide.
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Friday 20th of April 2012 09:59:49 PM
crafter32034 said
01:01 AM Apr 21, 2012
Thanks, everyone, for your responses. I'll post when we decide.
crafter32034 said
12:05 PM Apr 21, 2012
Thanks, Ken. I've bookmarked their site.
3fortheroad said
04:17 PM Apr 21, 2012
Some concerns I would have with one of those swivel trailers would be the small tires and wheel bearings. How well would they hold-up to hwy speeds (60- 65mph)? I don't think I could tow a $30K toy on one and comfortably drive down the road. Another concern would be if insurance would cover double towing or even having an extended platform with wheels? Also take in consideration that its another 1500 lbs (loaded) plus pushing you down the road.
One of the things I would be concerned with is the amount of weight the scooter would remove from your hitch point. When I checked into adding an 800lb motorcycle to the back of my MH I found out I actually would be adding 2100lbs. The biggest issue was the distance from the rear axle to where the motorcycle would be mounted.
The motorcyle was about 830lbs the lift about 350lbs and the rest was the distance I was talking about above. Granted your talking about less weight but some weight will be removed from your hitch point. Check out cruizerlift.com, I believe they have a formula you can use to figure out the increased load.
Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Wednesday 18th of April 2012 06:52:37 PM
By being a fifthwheel----and adding weight behind the axles you will be taking pin weight off of your truck. Because of the lift being exerted from the weight out behind the axle. To light pin weight can cause towing problems. Lets see, I have seen this before but to get an estimate of the pin weight you will be removing (for weight added behind the axles) Multiply the distance in inches from the center of the two axles (assuming there are 2) to the center of gravity of the item (probably close to the center of the item, unless it is weighted real heavy on one side from something like a battery or two), now multiply the weight of said item by the length in inches. Now measure from the center of axles to the king pin, in inches. Now divide the first number (weight X inches) by the second number (inches to king pin) that number is how much weight you will be removing from your previous pin weight. Example 48" behind center of axles 350 lb=16,800---- 238" from center of axles to the king pin. 16,800/238=70.5 lb less pin weight. (I think). But keep in mind that same weight will have to be added to your GCVW, and to your trailer weight carrying capacity.
Flyone
(NOTE: my opinon only, I'am not a professional)
Whatever you install at the rear of the Suites will need to be attached to the frame instead of a Class III hitch receiver. The maximum weight that can be installed on those is about 300 lbs. While the towing weight capacity is much higher, what is referred to as "tongue" weight is the 300 lbs. At least that is what we were told when we had the Class III added to our Mobile Suites. The towing weight, should you choose to use a trailer and double-tow, is a maximum of 3000 lbs for the Class III.
Terry
Found this site on the web yesterday that may be of some interest to someone. http:/www.doublehitch.com
On the escapees forum "Beginning RVing" look up post started by Rooster "Towing a trailer behind a 5th wheel" and the reply that Billieg left. Seems it can be a trailer or a extended platform with load bearing wheels.
-- Edited by 3fortheroad on Friday 20th of April 2012 11:05:27 AM
-- Edited by 3fortheroad on Friday 20th of April 2012 11:06:31 AM
Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Friday 20th of April 2012 03:30:10 PM
Here is a link to a site that sells the swivel wheel trailer. When we were considering a MH I checked these to haul my Harley. Whats nice about a single wheel trailer is tracks right behind your 5th wheel. As you back up the 5th wheel the swivel wheel would track in the same direction as your 5th wheel. One wheel and 2 attach points so in theory you would never have to disconnect it. With your scooter you could buy their smallest trailer and it would add no more than about 5 feet to the overall length. From everything I've read it's not considered double towing. But I guess that would be up to the individual states to decide.
http://www.cruiserlift.com/swivelwheel.html
Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Friday 20th of April 2012 09:59:49 PM
Some concerns I would have with one of those swivel trailers would be the small tires and wheel bearings. How well would they hold-up to hwy speeds (60- 65mph)? I don't think I could tow a $30K toy on one and comfortably drive down the road. Another concern would be if insurance would cover double towing or even having an extended platform with wheels? Also take in consideration that its another 1500 lbs (loaded) plus pushing you down the road.
I better quit before I have a coronary.