Bumper Mount Hitch

curtisj110 · 06-12-2018, 04:08 PM

I have a 2016 Volante 5th Wheel 380MD. I was wondering if I could add a Bumper Mount Hitch for a cargo carrier to carry a 110# Generator. I'm not sure what the weight limit is on the Bumper. Does anyone know what they weight limit is on the Bumper? Just don't want to overload the bumper and bend it, or have it fall off or worse, the generator fall off as we are driving down the road.

travelin texans · 06-12-2018, 04:47 PM

Not sure what a sewer hose weighs, but that's the only weight the bumper was designed for & I wouldn't put anything more on it.
They now have some brackets designed to help beef up the welds, but in my opinion do nothing for the middle of the flimsy bumper. To me it sounds like someone could end up with a 110# hood ornament.
Just my .02 cents worth!

johnboytoo · 06-12-2018, 05:30 PM

Some friends bought a winnbago tt and we were following them to a park and I had to call them to tell them their EOM spare tire mount was twisting the rear bumper off !!!

We pulled the tire and all we could off and put it in the pickup bed... they CERTAINLY don't make those bumpers like they used to

harley · 06-12-2018, 05:48 PM

If you are putting anything like a bike rack or cargo carrier in the back do this.. couple of eyescrews. (.of curse the configuration for the straps will be different for a carrier. )

**dagst1** · 06-12-2018, 06:20 PM

Just MY OPINION but before I would add more holes to the wall of the camper I would look into a hitch stabilizer/ tightener -Google it. Mine came from etrailer. I have a receiver welded to the frame in 3 places on each side. Overkill? Maybe but it is used for a carrier and power wheelchair total weight around 350 lbs. When the welder put it on he asked how strong do you need this? I asked are you married and have children? He said yes why? I told him your wife and kids are behind me on a very rough road that's how strong it needs to be. I use the hitch stabilizer and it takes all the play -looseness - wobble out. When I move the carrier the trailer moves. Takes less then 2 mins to tighten the stabilizer up and there is no movement between the hitch and carrier.

Papa-T · 06-12-2018, 06:20 PM

Mount-n-lock. I have them. There great. Supposed to add 400Lbs carrying capacity to your bumper after installed.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=W7Ys33KTxHg

Vikes79 · 06-12-2018, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curtisj110

I have a 2016 Volante 5th Wheel 380MD. I was wondering if I could add a Bumper Mount Hitch for a cargo carrier to carry a 110# Generator. I'm not sure what the weight limit is on the Bumper. Does anyone know what they weight limit is on the Bumper? Just don't want to overload the bumper and bend it, or have it fall off or worse, the generator fall off as we are driving down the road.

Welcome to the forum!

Yes an aftermarket hitch could be added. The trouble is that you’ll need to loose the current bumper or the hitch will be super low to the ground and the approach angles will be ugly.

I installed a curt aftermarket rv hitch to my Volante 310bh. I had to ditch the factory bumper. I also relocated the spare under the coach with a BAL underframe tire carrier. I actually tow a second trailer with my setup.

Honestly if you relocate the spare you probably would be okay with the existing bumper.

Papa-T · 06-13-2018, 02:03 AM

Yes welcome to the forum. I wouldn’t carry a generator on the back unless I added the above mount-n-lock supports or added a welded receiver coming off the frame.

sjk1998 · 06-13-2018, 04:02 AM

Do not trust the bumper unless you structurally modify it. I have seen bicycles being dragged down the road with bumpers that had failed with bike racks attached to them.

travelin texans · 06-13-2018, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa-T

Mount-n-lock. I have them. There great. Supposed to add 400Lbs carrying capacity to your bumper after installed.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=W7Ys33KTxHg

These are the brackets I mentioned.
I think they would be great to beef up the spots the bumper is welded to the frame, but there's still the flimsy metal bumper in the center that these brackets do nothing to help with.
Your best bet is to have a welder fabricate a real bumper with the hitch & all welded to the frame.

**mark5w** · 06-13-2018, 11:12 AM

Fairly simple fix is to insert a steel pipe into the bumper. (the size should be near the interior dimension) Weld at the ends and bolt in the middle. Should be able to stop the flex of the bumper.

shoe2728 · 06-17-2018, 02:45 PM

I went to a local metal supply house bought a thicker steel bumper, had a welder cut off old bumper and weld new one one with gussets on each side, was not really all that expensive. Bought one of the harbor freight carriers and modified that. I put two of the bold on hitches on the bumper and modified the carrier with two tubes instead of the one. Now it slides right on and is sturdy. I carry my 3000w generator on it no problem. Been pretty much all over with it FL to CA and to Montana and no problems. Even made another rack that slides in receivers to carry my cricket golf cart.

You may also like: