Homemade Dual Hitch

You are correct. No opening the back hatch. Even with the bikes removed the hitch and rack prevent opening the hatch. However, the back window will open partially even with the bikes on. I liked that configuration, particularly with the pickup, but I had a clearance problem when turning. Anticipating this I had Livinlite build me a beefed up bumper on the rear of the trailer. That's where the bikes live now.

You're right Charlie! And thanks Tars. 

As for the dual hitch, I think welding on the existing hitch is a bad idea.  It's bound to do something to the integrity of the hitch and it probably won't improve it.  If something goes wrong with the hitch I really like to preserve my ability to sue someone else.  More, I'd rather not risk causing a problem in the first place.

I think the pod hitch is supposed to be rated for 150 lbs, which is almost nothing.  It might be okay for a small generator, probably would, but Forest River says to only have the spare or their recommended bike rack back there.  The liability for having a generator back there is all yours if something goes wrong.  Plus you can't see what's happening back there.

I know this doesn't work for all vehicles, but I and at least one other podder I know of have receivers on the front bumper of our TVs.  I added mine especially to carry a generator and gasoline.  Works great for that purpose.  I have used it for bikes too, although I ended up swapping the bikes to the back of the pod and put the pod spare on the front of the TV for the return trip, mostly just because the bikes caused some interference with the headlights.  (I have the FR recommended bike rack.)  That was for a trip to a campground with hookups so I didn't take the generator.

A cargo carrier on the front means you can open the rear TV door, at least when you unhook the pod, and it's a fantastic thing to load up with firewood after you get to the campground.  I use it at home when I need to fill up all of my various gas cans or propane bottles too.

A side benefit I've noticed is that the loaded cargo carrier on the front distributes some weight to the front of my TV, makes for a better ride, brings the headlight beams down to a normal level, and actually seems to give me better gas mileage (when I'm towing the pod).

TT

Fred,

Heating the hitch by welding where you indicate will weaken the metal, possibly inviting failure. That spot on the hitch has tremendous forces under load. You might end up with bigger problems than the insurance guy .

That might work if there's room. That's essentially what the Swagman sleeve towing racks do. However, the idea of a generator on the RPOD receiver scares the heck out of me.