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Post by sanchin on Apr 8, 2018 23:10:38 GMT -5
Hello all, I am new here. Recently purchased a 2009 Spree 240BHS. I have a few questions and hope someone can help me.
1) What is stock hitch weight? I searched on net but found that some said 744lbs and some said 470lbs. Also, what percentage or the maximum hitch weight?
2) How strong is the rear bumper? Mine trailer has the tire mounted on the rear bumper, but I saw some people put a generator in an aluminum case and mounted at the rear bumper too. I want to if my bumper could able to support that.
Thank you.
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Post by lynnmor on Apr 9, 2018 7:29:01 GMT -5
You cannot rely on any published weights, some are lies, some are guesses and a few might be correct. Here is a page to help you: linkThe rear bumpers are marginal with just the spare, I wouldn't add any weight to it. Remember that any weight added on the rear reduces hitch weight. If hitch weight is too low, sway can happen and with the added weight mass being far back is even worse. link |
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Post by Chuck on Apr 9, 2018 10:13:27 GMT -5
They do make generator carriers for small generators that fit over the propane tanks on the hitch, someone was posting pictures of such in one of the threads here on the form ... Back bumpers a notoriously weak an only made to hold possibly a spare tire or a bike rack but not both unless reinforced ... People will tell you that they haul the bikes along with a spare tire but you also read where they have lost such going done the road .... I agree that if you put any weight on the back you need to even it out in the front, otherwise your trailer is going to act like a whip going down the road swing side to side an believe me you do not want that .... Safe travels  Chuck |
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Post by sanchin on Apr 9, 2018 12:36:51 GMT -5
You cannot rely on any published weights, some are lies, some are guesses and a few might be correct. Here is a page to help you: linkThe rear bumpers are marginal with just the spare, I wouldn't add any weight to it. Remember that any weight added on the rear reduces hitch weight. If hitch weight is too low, sway can happen and with the added weight mass being far back is even worse. linkThanks for the info. I contacted KZ a few time by email but never get a reply. Their customer support is much weaker than Jayco. |
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Post by sanchin on Apr 9, 2018 12:43:30 GMT -5
They do make generator carriers for small generators that fit over the propane tanks on the hitch, someone was posting pictures of such in one of the threads here on the form ... Back bumpers a notoriously weak an only made to hold possibly a spare tire or a bike rack but not both unless reinforced ... People will tell you that they haul the bikes along with a spare tire but you also read where they have lost such going done the road .... I agree that if you put any weight on the back you need to even it out in the front, otherwise your trailer is going to act like a whip going down the road swing side to side an believe me you do not want that .... Safe travels Chuck The reason for the bumper cannot hold weight, is that because the joint between the frame and bumper? Or the 4x4 bumper itself? What if I replaced the 4x4 bumper by some thicker material? I planned to add more batteries at the hitch to balance it, to prevent wheelie. |
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Post by lynnmor on Apr 9, 2018 13:29:22 GMT -5
The reason for the bumper cannot hold weight, is that because the joint between the frame and bumper? Or the 4x4 bumper itself? What if I replaced the 4x4 bumper by some thicker material? I planned to add more batteries at the hitch to balance it, to prevent wheelie. [/quote] The welds holding the bumper can fatigue and break. The bumper tubing is thin and it can tear out where it is attached. This product can help, but some frames are rather thin and, in my opinion, the attachment should go forward some distance. If I wanted to do something like that, I would make my own. What the guy isn't telling you is that the bolt at the bottom is only a pivot and the bolt at the top has considerable shear stress. I know that my Spree has an incredibly weak frame and I would not add anything heavier than paint. With that weight dancing back there, this is what can happen some distance forward with only a spare tire. |
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Post by sanchin on Apr 9, 2018 19:24:47 GMT -5
This product can help, but some frames are rather thin and, in my opinion, the attachment should go forward some distance. If I wanted to do something like that, I would make my own. What the guy isn't telling you is that the bolt at the bottom is only a pivot and the bolt at the top has considerable shear stress. I know that my Spree has an incredibly weak frame and I would not add anything heavier than paint. With that weight dancing back there, this is what can happen some distance forward with only a spare tire. [/quote] Thanks. I agreed that the weld could be fatigue and weak. That's my concern too. That's why I am thinking an alternative, which is re-welded with a thicker 4x4 steel tube. Any comment on that? |
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Post by Chuck on Apr 9, 2018 23:17:48 GMT -5
Anything to straighten the bumper to the frame is a plus, if you can I'd see if you can fit some square tubing about a foot longer into the tubing that holds the bumper on an weld it to the frame, then reinforce the bumper itself ... Or as you stated find some thicker 4x4 steel tube an redo the completer bumper an brackets holding it on, I would however extend the supports holding the bumper at least 8 to 10 inches longer a weld the supports all along the frame an not just spot weld them Chuck |
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Post by lynnmor on Apr 10, 2018 8:42:04 GMT -5
That's why I am thinking an alternative, which is re-welded with a thicker 4x4 steel tube. Any comment on that? You saw the second link in my previous post. A thicker bumper is a heavier bumper adding to the frame problem. The real answer is to forget adding weight back there and find a way to haul weight over the axle in the trailer or in the tow vehicle. You might get away with carrying weight back there or you may not, but if it fails I don't want to be the one suggesting it will work. |
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