There's a possibility of me living in a 5th wheel for work over the next couple years. If I do, trying to figure out how to get my bike along with me. Over the summer I saw a guy with a dresser on the back of his 5th wheel. Some searching turned up this:

http://www.hydralift-usa.com/5th-wheel-lift/

Anyone here done this? How much welding and reinforcement was required? What kind of cost was involved? Does the 5th wheel wag the truck when loaded? Had any bad experience with it? Any other similar manufacturers out there?

40' 5th wheel, Chevy 3500 tow rig.

Can't/won't trailer (illegal in the states I'll be travelling)

Thanks in advance.

 

toyhauler not an option? what fifth wheel do you have now? that's a lot of weight to hang off the back of the frame.

 

That's too much weight on back of trailer. I pull second trailer and have in all 48 states without problem. But if you don't want to try this.

http://www.cruiserlift.com/swivelwheel.html

 

I believe I would go with the dual swivel wheel as it becomes an extension of the trailer and will not interfere with backing or anything. I did pull a pull behind enclosed trailer behind 36' fifthwheel all over the south and southeast for couple years. Pain in the tail to hook up and imposssible to back up. Also was problem finding somewhere to park it in campground. Pulled with 05 Dodge 3500 no problem except the rig was 68 feet long and you would be well over 70' so don't blame you for not wanting that. I went to fifthwheel 37 ft toyhauler. Where I am headed is with 2 Limited's and all the gear loaded, it did get little light on tongue load and would sway little when passed on interstate by 18 wheeler. I suspect you have Triple axle with the 40 footer so that shouldn't be a problem. Probably need little weight off hitch. I would what ever I put back there put a camera on the back of trailer to keep eye on it.

 

While I love the idea. I have no idea how much will be required to make that happen... didnt the manu explane that all to you? I will be paying attention because I have 3 big bikes and only room for two in the toy hauler!!

 

You are talking around $3000 for either the hydralift or the 2 wheel swivel wheel. Not sure what the manufacturer didn't explain. You made that trip out West yet?

 

In all sincerity, how plausible is it to use a ramp of some sort to roll the bike through the door and carry it inside the trailer while going down the road?

 

You must not have spent much time going in and out of RV doors.

Nowhere near wide enough. Not sure even if a sporty would fit. Plus you would have to angle it sideways if you got it in.

 

How far away are you moving ? Having the bike shipped to you would be a lot cheaper than a lift. Or driving the truck back after you're set up and get the bike.

 

I have looked into this ALOT because I lived in my 37' Montana trailer for 3 years and was going to travel. The problem with the hyrdalift and that kind is that frame on the back of the Montana and a lot of the fifth wheel and the only having two axles won't carry the weight without stressing the frame. The better idea is the cruiselift idea with the eheels on the lift. There is a company here in AZ that makes one(and I can't remember the name) that has a ramp comes off the side, you park the bike on the ramp and then the electric winch pulls the bike up into it's cradle and it has two wheels on it so there isn't much weight on the frame of the trailer.