|
|
Post by andrewlathrop87 on Aug 22, 2023 9:10:19 GMT -5
Hey guys. I am new to KZ, bought a new 2022 KZ half ton Durango 274bhd. It has the hitch out back. 300 lb tongue weight and 3000 lb towing. I wont be towing with it but will be using the hitch for a cargo carrier. I want to either use a 60" x 20" or 48" x 20" aluminum wire basket for cargo. The capacities of those baskets are close to 500 lbs. Exceeds the capacity of the hitch on the rv, but I wont go higher then state spec of the Durango. My question is, is it safe to put close to the 300 lbs on the wire cargo basket when its connected to the hitch on the rv? Of course take into account the weight of the carrier. The stuff I want to put on there will be a inverter generator, ice chests, ect.... I worry about the cantilever issue. Where yes the capacity of the hitch is 300 lb and I would have less then that but it would be spread over a bigger area rather then a 300 lb trailer tongue weight right in front of the receiver. Do I have anything to worry about?
Andrew
|
|
|
|
Post by laknox on Aug 22, 2023 10:01:04 GMT -5
Frankly, I don't see much difference between 300 lbs on a trailer tongue or 300 lbs in a cargo basket. Both are going to put rotational forces on the rear bumper.
Lyle
|
|
|
|
Post by rvcouple on Aug 22, 2023 13:36:44 GMT -5
All the weight of the basket will be on the hitch receiver. It doesn't matter how the basket might "cantilever" in the receiver. Also, every time you hit and bounce over a bump, the basket will bounce, putting higher loads on the receiver. I would assume that is engineered into the 300 lbs. limit on the receiver, but I would inspect it after every trip looking for cracks and bending until I was sure it will hold up. YMMV.
|
|
|
|
Post by andrewlathrop87 on Aug 22, 2023 14:53:03 GMT -5
thanks that makes sense to me.
andrew
|
|
|
|
Post by 660catman on Aug 22, 2023 14:55:50 GMT -5
Treat the basket like a hitch extender. According to Curt Mfg, the first 12” you must reduce capacity by 25%. The next 12” will reduce capacity by 50%. I have a 1 1/4” bike rack receiver welded on my 2” insert. This allows me to still pull my 17’ aluminum boat. I’m pretty close to the 300 lb limit.  www.curtmfg.com/hitch-extender-guide |
|
|
|
Post by rvcouple on Aug 22, 2023 15:27:44 GMT -5
Is a hitch on a trailer a "western" thing? I've been camping +20 years and I don't recall ever seeing a trailer, FW or TT, with a receiver on the rear. Maybe I never noticed, but none of what I've seen at RV shows have a receiver, just the standard 4" square bumper.
That's probably because I'm in Virginia and all the Atlantic seaboard states, Alabama, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, except Maryland and/or maybe North Carolina, depending on where you look, it is illegal to double tow trailers. It's very confusing where you can, where you can't, and what each state's restrictions and requirements are. Also, your auto insurance may not cover you even if it is legal.
I guess I have it simple, it's illegal in VA and I don't have to worry about it.
Our big problem is the weight limit that can be put onto a 4" bumper.
|
|
|
|
Post by 660catman on Aug 22, 2023 15:50:36 GMT -5
Is a hitch on a trailer a "western" thing? I've been camping +20 years and I don't recall ever seeing a trailer, FW or TT, with a receiver on the rear. Maybe I never noticed, but none of what I've seen at RV shows have a receiver, just the standard 4" square bumper. That's probably because I'm in Virginia and all the Atlantic seaboard states, Alabama, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, except Maryland and/or maybe North Carolina, depending on where you look, it is illegal to double tow trailers. It's very confusing where you can, where you can't, and what each state's restrictions and requirements are. Also, your auto insurance may not cover you even if it is legal. I guess I have it simple, it's illegal in VA and I don't have to worry about it. Our big problem is the weight limit that can be put onto a 4" bumper. Most Canadian provinces except BC you can double tow. There are length limits up to 75’. All lead trailers must be a fifth wheel. KZ is the first RV manufacturer to have a factory hitch that I’ve seen. Most guys get a welding shop to manufacture and install one properly. |
|
|
|
Post by jfspry58 on Sept 3, 2023 12:09:28 GMT -5
I pull a trailer behind my 5th wheel regularly. As long as you keep the weight under the limit it doesn’t matter what the source is. It is still centered on the receiver which distributes the weight to the rear of the frame.
Jay
|
|
|
|
Post by thelosttexan on Sept 4, 2023 11:30:29 GMT -5
Hey guys. I am new to KZ, bought a new 2022 KZ half ton Durango 274bhd. It has the hitch out back. 300 lb tongue weight and 3000 lb towing. I wont be towing with it but will be using the hitch for a cargo carrier. I want to either use a 60" x 20" or 48" x 20" aluminum wire basket for cargo. The capacities of those baskets are close to 500 lbs. Exceeds the capacity of the hitch on the rv, but I wont go higher then state spec of the Durango. My question is, is it safe to put close to the 300 lbs on the wire cargo basket when its connected to the hitch on the rv? Of course take into account the weight of the carrier. The stuff I want to put on there will be a inverter generator, ice chests, ect.... I worry about the cantilever issue. Where yes the capacity of the hitch is 300 lb and I would have less then that but it would be spread over a bigger area rather then a 300 lb trailer tongue weight right in front of the receiver. Do I have anything to worry about? Andrew I’m sure you’ve taken it into account already, but don’t forget to add the weight of the basket to the 300lb limit. I added a 5 bike rack to ours and had to make sure that I wasn’t too close to the limit with the weight of the 5 bikes and the rack. I also added a hitch tightener to help reduce the force applied during movement while traveling down the road. |
|
