Add Class lll receiver to pup?

[wynot]

The handlebars are around 4 feet tall. I'll have to go take some measurements. I can see a front receiver digging into a hill or steep drive...

I sincerely doubt it with a 3/4 ton Dodge truck.  You probably should be aware of it being there before bounding with abandon into something with it.  If that was a routine issue with your driving situations (off roading, etc.), then the receiver part COULD (I wouldn't wanna, but could) be removed, without removing the mounts.
 
Despite the concern I have with clearance after installing the front receiver and then sticking the loaded 4 bike rack on front, I haven't scraped it YET (I know I will somewhere...)

[VaporTrails]

I looked into outfits that make receivers specifically for the front of  vehicles. This may be a really good option! Thanks, I never would have thought of that.

[mike4947]

Front receivers also come in handy when you get the trailer into tight situations. It's easier to push the camper with the front of the vehicle around corners/between trees/into garages/etc that back it up.

[carbondenali]

I've been thinking about adding a single motorcycle rail to the hitch of my Jayco 1207 to carry my dirt bike. Have a GMC Denali so no pickup box for me to work with. Does anyone see any problem with around 250 extra pounds being on there?

I realize it will increase the tongue weight but I don't really see that as being a problem.

I'm thinking of adding something like this:

http://www.sportutilitytrailers.com/accessories/TS32M_motorcycle_rail.htm

and maybe adding a narrow steel piece that runs about a foot from each side on the front tire end to attach the tie downs too.

Any thoughts of why this would be a bad idea?

[mike4947]

I take it you mean the trailer tongue. The main problem will be with interference with the TV in turns. Keep it as close as posible to the camper body as the farther out on the tongue it sets the more you narrow the turning radius between the camper and TV.

[sewserious]

Check out the E4 from Fleetwood.  It the room to haul your bike and is a high-wall like the Niagra.  I don't know if they have pictures of it on the website yet, but a couple of folks over at rv.net have posted pictures of them (they are showing up on the dealers' lots now) in the folding camper forum.

[beacher]

.... Fleetwood used to offer a receiver or something (can't remember what) on the back of the high wall trailers to carry bikes, but they don't any more.  There must be a reason why. ....

The reason was that they didn't sell enough.  The BIG HighWall PopUps have enough tongue weight, even with bikes mounted on the back.  And there are no sway issues.

The bicycle rack bolted to the frame of the PopUp.  it was not a separate hitch/reciever combo.  It was only meant for the Big HighWall PopUps, because very few folks could reach roof mounted bikes on a HighWall PopUp, even with a big stool, and you don't want to lean a ladder against the side of a PopUp.

This doesn't help your motorcycle carrying issue.



.

[mike4947]

And not even all the high boxes had sufficient tongue weight to make it work. But the problem was not so much the sales, but the warranty issues. Because it was only bolted into the flooring material; when the rack had a couple of bikes on it the momentum from road bumps would break out the screws.
Another good idea executed badly by Fleetwood.

[Tim5055]

The reason was that they didn't sell enough.  The BIG HighWall PopUps have enough tongue weight, even with bikes mounted on the back.  And there are no sway issues..

And not even all the high boxes had sufficient tongue weight to make it work. But the problem was not so much the sales, but the warranty issues. Because it was only bolted into the flooring material; when the rack had a couple of bikes on it the momentum from road bumps would break out the screws.
Another good idea executed badly by Fleetwood.

As Mike says, sales have/had nothing to do with it.  I have an 05 Niagara with the FFT rear receiver.  It is actually held in with two bolts that go through the rear bumper and two wood screws into the bottom of the rear floor.  I have to tighten the screws/bolts each time it is used to carry a bike.

Plus, I wouldn't say there are "no" sway issues.  While the raqck does not make it unsafe, I can feel the difference when towing with or without bikes.