R-pod Owners Forum : Question about rear 1.25" hitch https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : Question about rear 1.25" hitch Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 21 May 2026 18:21:46 +0000 Sun, 01 Nov 2020 16:39:05 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=13774 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Question about rear 1.25" hitch : Thanks!... didn’t realize it... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=137932#137932 Author: BMJ
Subject: 13774
Posted: 01 Nov 2020 at 4:39pm

Thanks!... didn’t realize it can only hold 150lbs... really appreciate the feedback ]]> Sun, 01 Nov 2020 16:39:05 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=137932#137932 Question about rear 1.25" hitch : Originally posted by BMJDoes... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=137922#137922 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 13774
Posted: 01 Nov 2020 at 12:51pm

Originally posted by BMJ

Does anyone know how much weight a 195 back bumper can take if I put the spare somewhere else ?.... not sure it will handle a 2 slot bike rack?.   thanks!

Pods don't have bumpers.  The spare tire receiver is mounted to the frame and the frame is as lightweight as it can be.  It's really not meant for hanging bikes from.  As said earlier, you might be able to get away with it, but you might not. 

I think the weight limit is 150 lbs, but that's right up against the Pod. If you extend the weight back away from the pod, as you would with a bike rack, every bounce on the road multiplies the actual weight.  Metal fatigues and you can end up having your bikes run over by the 18-wheeler behind you.

TT
]]> Sun, 01 Nov 2020 12:51:19 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=137922#137922 Question about rear 1.25" hitch : It’s less a matter of what the... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=137916#137916 Author: offgrid
Subject: 13774
Posted: 01 Nov 2020 at 9:23am

It’s less a matter of what the bumper will take than it is what hanging weight back there will to do your tongue weight, frame load, and axle weight. The rear of the trailer is not a good place to put heavy stuff.]]> Sun, 01 Nov 2020 09:23:52 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=137916#137916 Question about rear 1.25" hitch : Does anyone know how much weight... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=137914#137914 Author: BMJ
Subject: 13774
Posted: 01 Nov 2020 at 9:01am

Does anyone know how much weight a 195 back bumper can take if I put the spare somewhere else ?.... not sure it will handle a 2 slot bike rack?.   thanks!]]> Sun, 01 Nov 2020 09:01:06 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=137914#137914 Question about rear 1.25" hitch : Thank you all for this most helpful... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=133697#133697 Author: michaelbarth
Subject: 13774
Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 7:15am

Thank you all for this most helpful advice!]]> Wed, 15 Jul 2020 07:15:29 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=133697#133697 Question about rear 1.25" hitch : One other consideration before... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=133696#133696 Author: offgrid
Subject: 13774
Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 7:09am

One other consideration before increasing rear weight. 

We have had at least one case reported on this forum of a rPod frame failure. That occurred at the axle attachment point. After looking at the loading on the frame rails it turns out that they are pretty marginal. They have about a 2x load factor, maybe a bit less, and you can readily get 2x  bump loads (or more) on potholed roads. 

The highest stress on the frame is right behind the axle attachment, caused by loading on the rear overhang. Reinforcing the rear hitch area doesn't do anything to help the frame up at the axle. 

That made me decide not to want anything heavy in the rear of my trailer. I now carry heavy stuff int he trailer as close to the axle as possible. Makes it more difficult to get the tongue weight where I want it but saves the frame from excess loading. 

Bottom line is that nothing about an rPod's construction is overbuilt. Its all designed to a very tight cost and weight spec. Makes it dicey to add weight and gear the designers didn't intend. There is a second high stress area on the frame right about where the tongue attaches to the box so that's not a great place either. 

The best solution is to put heavy stuff in the tow vehicle whenever possible, and put it in front of the TV rear axle. Cars and trucks are designed with significantly higher safety margins for bump loads than travel trailers are. 
]]> Wed, 15 Jul 2020 07:09:06 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=133696#133696 Question about rear 1.25" hitch : Normal 0 ... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=133692#133692 Author: Pod People
Subject: 13774
Posted: 14 Jul 2020 at 4:38pm

We have used a rear bike rack on the back of 2 different RPods with success. However, we did NOT use the stock 1 ¼” receiver.  We made 5 very important changes that added alot of safety and rigidity to the system. THE IDEA IS TO MINIMIZE ANY MOVEMENTWITHIN THE SYSTEM AND OFFER ADDITIONAL STRUCTURAL STRENGTH.

1-We added a 2” receiver with triangular reinforcement gussetsto the bottom of the existing receiver


2-we added an additional 2”x2” frame member that is weldedfrom side to side to the original frame channels..  The rear of the 2” receiver is also welded tothis new frame member as well as the original 1 ¼” receiver.


3-We use a hitch tightener to stop any slop or movementbetween the bottom shank of the bike rack and the 2” receiver


4-we use 2 cam lock straps that are attached from the top ofthe bike rack to eye bolts that are drilled into each rear corner of the R Podframe (they are red in this picture).  Thesestraps are ratcheted tight to stop any additional movement of the bikes/bikerack.  We also use only 2 bikes and wehave the bike rack welded to the shortest shank possible to avoid too muchcantilever.  The total bike rack and 2 bikesweigh 74 pounds.


5-We moved the spare tire to the front, welded on the Aframe as earlier suggested to offset the rear weight and insure adequate tongueweight.

 

I would not use the rear 1 ¼” receiver for a bike rackwithout substantial modifications. Any of these modifications will probablyvoid your warranty.  We used aprofessional welder for all fabrications. I am not advocating this use-I amjust illustrating what we did. Make your own decisions. 

Vann

]]> Tue, 14 Jul 2020 16:38:13 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=133692#133692 Question about rear 1.25" hitch : I tried the bike rack on the back... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=133674#133674 Author: JR
Subject: 13774
Posted: 14 Jul 2020 at 7:12am

I tried the bike rack on the back and was dissatisfied with the results after about 1/2 a season (7500 miles), too much flex on where the receiver was attached (welds were breaking).  My solution was to install a rear bumper on the trailer to have something to secure the receiver to the trailer.  No problems since. ]]> Tue, 14 Jul 2020 07:12:52 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=133674#133674 Question about rear 1.25" hitch : Another reason for the rear weight... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=133672#133672 Author: offgrid
Subject: 13774
Posted: 14 Jul 2020 at 6:24am

Another reason for the rear weight restriction is that hanging weight on the rear of the trailer reduces tongue weight. Think of the trailer as a teeter totter rotating around the tire contact patch. Low tongue weight is dangerous because it makes the trailer sway prone. If you do add that weight back there, relocate the spare to the front of the trailer for balance and check your actual tongue weight with the trailer loaded for travel. You want to be above 10% of total trailer weight under all loading conditions.  172's tend to be loaded heavy aft anyway because the big storage area and fresh water tank are in the rear. ]]> Tue, 14 Jul 2020 06:24:08 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=133672#133672 Question about rear 1.25" hitch : You might be okay but the rear... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=133670#133670 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 13774
Posted: 14 Jul 2020 at 1:23am

You might be okay but the rear receiver is really meant for a spare tire.  The extra distance a bike rack sticks out and it's inherent vibration anyway is not a good thing for bikes on the back of a camper, where you can't see them.  Plus you have to figure out what to do with your spare.  It's generally preferred to figure out something else to do with your bikes.

People do what you're talking about though, and mostly they get away with it.

TT
]]> Tue, 14 Jul 2020 01:23:40 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=133670#133670 Question about rear 1.25" hitch : Just picked up a 2020 Model 172.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=133668#133668 Author: michaelbarth
Subject: 13774
Posted: 13 Jul 2020 at 8:32pm

Just picked up a 2020 Model 172.  Rear hitch says 150 lb limit.  I have a HEAVY bike rack that weighs 37 lb alone, and would be adding about 50 lbs for 2 bikes.  This would total say 90 lbs. on the hitch.

I could get a crappy/cheap harbor freight bike rack that only weighs like 10 lbs, reducing the weight to probably 60 lbs. overall.

So, is 90 lbs on that hitch a problem? 

]]> Mon, 13 Jul 2020 20:32:54 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13774&PID=133668#133668