We are still trying to make our decision on which 5er we will purchase, but have decided our home will be a 5er. We are in a little pinch carefully watching weights and carrying capacities as we purchased a new truck a few months ago - before our plans took a sudden leap. Our truck is a RAM 2500HD, gas. 12,900 tow capacity. We are not going to push that max. I have read too much here about that mistake!
The question is that we just thought we would like to purchase a couple of scooters to tool around on and wonder if anyone is carrying scooters, and how they are doing it? We are buying a new 5er and do not want to do anything that might void our warranty.
Appreciate any advice you can offer as we are not committed yet.
BiggarView said
01:14 PM Oct 7, 2015
If you are carrying a scooter on the back of a 5er, you'll definitely unload the pin by a similar (give or take) amount. There are toyhauler type 5ers that might suit you but I'm not aware of any that weigh in under 12,900 GVWR. The problem presents itself that you still have that weight on your trailer thus reducing your other cargo carrying ability. 12,900lb is not a lot of 5er trailer but if you are comfortable in such small/lighter rigs then have at it. Don't forget you still need to add the weight of 5er hitch in the bed of your truck, add fuel, passengers any other cargo you carry in the truck itself. So be wary of the claim that it will tow 12,900 lbs. You may run out of rear axle capacity in the truck long before you reach 12,900 lbs of trailer weight. 20-25% of your trailer weight will be riding on the hitch in the truck. Putting a scooter and associated mounting/support hardware on the back of the 5er will push that number down closer to 20% or possibly less. It's all a rather tricky balancing act, axle ratings, pin weights, cargo capacity, combined vehicle weight ratings, so know and understand what they mean as they apply to your situation. There several calculators out there to help you figure what you can and cannot do safely. A starting point is reading the data off the sticker on your truck regarding axle ratings, etc. Then get the data on pin weights, trailer axle ratings, GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating) cargo carrying capacity (and know what that includes as each mfr seems to use different criteria to assert their claims.)
FWIW, Brian
-- Edited by biggaRView on Thursday 8th of October 2015 09:18:47 AM
The Bear II said
09:08 AM Oct 8, 2015
There are some 5th wheels on the market that have a small garage or larger storage area just right for scooters or bicycles and not much more. The garage area has the advantage of being flexible space when the scooters are unloaded. An office, entertainment room, craft room or guest bedroom.
We ended up getting two Mobility Scooters off of Craigslist to used for tooling around the RV parks, short trips to nearby restaurants, stores and to use instead of walking when visiting fairs, car shows, museums, large retail centers...etc.
These mobility scooters quickly breakdown into 6 pieces each and can be placed in storage compartments or carried in the pickup bed.
Jhoynacki said
12:39 PM Oct 11, 2015
We have a 36' Mobile Suite and tow/haul 2 Vespa scooters on a swivel wheel trailer. Attaches to the hitch on the back of the fifth wheel and has a single swivel wheel. Capacity is 1000 pounds, weight on hitch is designed at 400 pounds, and our scooters weigh aprox 500 lbs. we have had for 1 year with no issues or problems. Let me know if you have any questions
Ed and Beth said
01:07 PM Oct 18, 2015
Thank you all for the responses. The weight is the issue. We'll see how it goes. Jhoynacki I do like the swivel wheel trailers, good to hear that has worked out for you.
The question is that we just thought we would like to purchase a couple of scooters to tool around on and wonder if anyone is carrying scooters, and how they are doing it? We are buying a new 5er and do not want to do anything that might void our warranty.
Appreciate any advice you can offer as we are not committed yet.
If you are carrying a scooter on the back of a 5er, you'll definitely unload the pin by a similar (give or take) amount. There are toyhauler type 5ers that might suit you but I'm not aware of any that weigh in under 12,900 GVWR. The problem presents itself that you still have that weight on your trailer thus reducing your other cargo carrying ability. 12,900lb is not a lot of 5er trailer but if you are comfortable in such small/lighter rigs then have at it. Don't forget you still need to add the weight of 5er hitch in the bed of your truck, add fuel, passengers any other cargo you carry in the truck itself. So be wary of the claim that it will tow 12,900 lbs. You may run out of rear axle capacity in the truck long before you reach 12,900 lbs of trailer weight. 20-25% of your trailer weight will be riding on the hitch in the truck. Putting a scooter and associated mounting/support hardware on the back of the 5er will push that number down closer to 20% or possibly less. It's all a rather tricky balancing act, axle ratings, pin weights, cargo capacity, combined vehicle weight ratings, so know and understand what they mean as they apply to your situation. There several calculators out there to help you figure what you can and cannot do safely. A starting point is reading the data off the sticker on your truck regarding axle ratings, etc. Then get the data on pin weights, trailer axle ratings, GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating) cargo carrying capacity (and know what that includes as each mfr seems to use different criteria to assert their claims.)
FWIW, Brian
-- Edited by biggaRView on Thursday 8th of October 2015 09:18:47 AM
We ended up getting two Mobility Scooters off of Craigslist to used for tooling around the RV parks, short trips to nearby restaurants, stores and to use instead of walking when visiting fairs, car shows, museums, large retail centers...etc.
These mobility scooters quickly breakdown into 6 pieces each and can be placed in storage compartments or carried in the pickup bed.
We have a 36' Mobile Suite and tow/haul 2 Vespa scooters on a swivel wheel trailer. Attaches to the hitch on the back of the fifth wheel and has a single swivel wheel. Capacity is 1000 pounds, weight on hitch is designed at 400 pounds, and our scooters weigh aprox 500 lbs. we have had for 1 year with no issues or problems. Let me know if you have any questions