4-Wheeler/ATV on top of My

[evanallison]

Hey gang, I think this is my first post.  I have a 2001 Jayco Eagle 14 SO, and am Really interested in putting a drive on cargo rack of some type on top for up to a 600 lb atv.

It's got tandem axles so I don't think the weight would be a problem on the Trailer itself, I'm just wondering if anyone has developed a carrier that mounts to the frame of the trailer and comes up around it to support the atv rack.  

I've heard it's been done, can I get some input from the Pup club?

[Kelly]

I have a 1995 Jayco 1207 ... so the numbers may be different.  I'm guessing they won't be significantly different, though.

My owner's manual states "Maximum weight which may be added to a roof is 200 pounds.  This includes any and all options."  

I'm thinking adding 600 lbs to your roof isn't a wise plan.  

[GemmySan]

...  
 
 I'm thinking adding 600 lbs to your roof isn't a wise plan.  

Neat dbl deck trailer for that additional required capacity...
 
 No way would I put that additional stress on the camper top or the axle(s)
 
 jimmy

[wavery]

Hey gang, I think this is my first post.  I have a 2001 Jayco Eagle 14 SO, and am Really interested in putting a drive on cargo rack of some type on top for up to a 600 lb atv.

It's got tandem axles so I don't think the weight would be a problem on the Trailer itself, I'm just wondering if anyone has developed a carrier that mounts to the frame of the trailer and comes up around it to support the atv rack.  

I've heard it's been done, can I get some input from the Pup club?

evanallison,

WELCOME TO PUT

 :yikes: IMHO, you'd be asking for mucho problemos :sombraro: .

It goes way past, "What the roof will hold" (which wouldn't be that much).

PU trailers are designed very light weight for all of the reasons that "Light weight" denotes. It's frame is light, it's axles, cabinetry......literally everything about a PU is engineered for very little additional weight. People buy them because they are light. That's the whole idea behind the PU, light weight and low wind resistance. An economical camper to tow.

What is your tow vehicle??

If you have a pick-up, you may want to consider putting the ATV in the bed. If you don't have a 3/4 ton pick-up, it sounds like you may want to consider that as an option.

[brainpause]

The 14SO's have also had a few problems with brakes and such, as I recall.

As an owner of two ATV's myself, I also thought about some plan like this. I soon wisely decided to keep the two hobbies apart, unless someone with another tow vehicle could tow my ATV trailer.

In short, we hate to be nay-sayers, but don't do it.

Larry

[tlhdoc]

I would not do it.

[fritz_monroe]

Welcome to the forums.  What those other folks said is dead on.

My Bayside manual says that I can put 300 pounds on the roof with the top down.  My AC takes up at least some portion of that.  If you were in the market for a new pup, you could take a look at some of the new Fleetwoods.  There are a couple models that have decks to haul more stuff.  I don't know what weight it can handle, though.

[grcooperjr]

Welcome to the forums. What those other folks said is dead on.
 
My Bayside manual says that I can put 300 pounds on the roof with the top down. My AC takes up at least some portion of that. If you were in the market for a new pup, you could take a look at some of the new Fleetwoods. There are a couple models that have decks to haul more stuff. I don't know what weight it can handle, though.

Dito on what Fritz says... I have a Fleetwood Evolution E3 with a deck on the frt. it'll haul 1 big ATV or 2 small ones. The Scoripon from Fleetwood will haul a bunch more. I use my deck for hauling heavy equipment other than ATV's and it works very well.
 
Ray Cooper
Tigard, OR

[zamboni]

developed a carrier that mounts to the frame of the trailer and comes up around it to support the atv rack.

Everybody-- you've all missed this point.

He is, in no way, intending to add the weight to his roof.  With an external frame, an add-on roof-rack that supported the toy would transfer the mass directly down side steel braces to the camper frame.


Evan... I wondered the same thing, long ago.  I'd just bought my first 10-foot-box used Starcraft PUP, and wanted to determine if I could do the same thing to tow a waverunner "above" the PUP.

In my case, the final nail was my springs, axle & wheels were not rated for the extra weight.  Plus, at only 1600 lbs, it did not have brakes - but add 600 lbs of waverunner, and I'd darn-well need them!

Step 1:  What is the GVWR of your camper?
Step 2:  Subtract your dry weight.
Result:  This is your cargo capacity.  This would be the entire weight that either the frame, or the axle(s) were rated to carry.

If the result is over the weight of your toys, then you need to contact the frame manufacturer and determine what the FRAME is rated for.  With a tandem axle, you may be OK on the frame, but might have to beef up the springs or axle or wheels.

At this point, it will quickly become a convenience-vs-cost equation.


If you are determined, and even a welder yourself, and the added burden is not too great, you could possibly build a lifter-kit for your camper that had its own frame that supported the roof-toy.  Then, your camper sat directly on the lifter, with the (probably upgraded!) axles directly below your new "lifter".  That way, the weight of your toys are NOT on the camper frame, but transferred directly to the new frame that sits on your axles.

Obviously, you'd have to calculate where to put your roof toys to make sure you kept enough weight on the tongue (and did not exceed the tongue-rating of the camper or tow-vehicle).

Long answer.  It can be done, but only by knowing the correct values from the camper, frame, axle & wheels.

[edit]
The add-on frame would be similar to the photo linked above, but instead of a boat above a drive-on pickup... imagine the pickup was the box of your camper mounted directly on your "new" frame and axles.  The top support platform would have to be removable for your PUP to raise.

Lastly, some states do allow 2 trailers.  Check yours.  See 1/3 down this for California non-commercial (ie, non-semi's):
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/trucks/trucksize/length.htm
Basically, your TV must be over 4,000 lbs, rated for more than 10,000 lbs.  Class A license required.

Not sure how strict they are, but we know people who tow a waverunner behind their big PUP, with a Chevy Avalanche.

[brainpause]

I didn't miss the point at all. I realized that he wanted to build some sort of frame. But I don't believe that even the double axle 14SO needs the extra weight of a frame and ATV. The 14SO is a heavy camper anyway.

Larry

[Kelly]

I didn't miss the point at all. I realized that he wanted to build some sort of frame. But I don't believe that even the double axle 14SO needs the extra weight of a frame and ATV. The 14SO is a heavy camper anyway.

Larry

I admit I did miss the point.  But, I still don't think it's a good idea .... for exactly the same reasons Larry stated.  It is a heavy camper and I would be concerned that the wheels and axles wouldn't be able to handle the extra weight.

[wavery]

I didn't "miss the point" either. I said the same thing you did. However, your explanation was much more detailed and did a better job of actually answering the question. Result is the same......the concept is , "Asking for mucho problemos". :sombraro:

[flyfisherman]

Keep in mind, considering the total weight of camper, cargo, frame and ATV, just what is the carrying capacity of the tires?  Quite often when someone is considering going to a heavier axle and springs in order to carry more weight, the carrying capacity of the tires is often overlooked.



Fly

[AustinBoston]

In addition to the weight concerns, a stable support frame would not only have to hold the weight of the ATV, but then fold away so that the roof can be lifted, bunk ends slid out, any slideouts can be opened, the door still opens, ports for water/electrical/propane/etc. can still be accessed, etc.

This sounds like an engineering challenge, even if the weight were not an issue.  If you are into engineering challenges, great, but I know this is one I personally would walk away from.

Austin

[wavery]

Keep in mind, considering the total weight of camper, cargo, frame and ATV, just what is the carrying capacity of the tires?  Quite often when someone is considering going to a heavier axle and springs in order to carry more weight, the carrying capacity of the tires is often overlooked.



Fly

Not only tires (which is a biggy) but the wheels as well.

That's why they build "Toy Haulers". I built a twin axle toy hauler back in 1973. It wasn't as fancy as the ones today. I hauled 2 dune buggies, a complete work shop (including a 10KW generator/arch welder & air compressor) and roof A/C. It had 6 single+ bunks that folded up to the sides. I didn't need a galley or bathroom because I was towing with a motorhome.