Certainly looks like it would be easier to store in the garage between trips. Is there any harm in only lowering and loading up one side of it? With the continental tire covers on the back, you lose half the size of the back hitch carriers anyway.
dwhitmoyer wrote: Certainly looks like it would be easier to store in the garage between trips. Is there any harm in only lowering and loading up one side of it? With the continental tire covers on the back, you lose half the size of the back hitch carriers anyway.
IMHO, you certainly can use one half, although the lack of proper balance would be hazardous to your hitch...
Weight and balance seems a problem with all of these bummper-hitch cargo accessories. I'm just home from a trip across Kansas and spotted more than one of these things on a Class B or Class C that sure altered the way the rig sat on the road, front to back. Too easy to overload, I'd think.
VernM
GMC Conversion van/Wells Cargo MiniWagon trailer
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I bought one of these things at Walmart a couple of years ago and modified it to fit my 210 P Roadtrek. I shortened the side next to the continential kit by about half and reinforced it. I use it to carry bulky but not heavy stuff. It cost $59.95 and took a couple of hours to modify. I carry a 10x10 screenhouse, a 10x10 piece of outside patio carpet (the thinnest and lightest I could find), a fold up 4x2 patio table, a 6 gallon camp water container and a few small items on it. I calculated the difference in the weight distribution and simply carry less than 100 pounds (83 to be exact and, yes, I weighted it being very conservative and anal about these things) on the carrier and have no problems with it at all. It only sticks out a few inches beyond the spare.
I looked with lust at the Stowaway, but on a RT with a continental kit, it starts at the end of the spare, thus is way out there behind. I just didn't want to be that long and bulky. The stuff I carry frees up my external storage drawers.
We boondock and when we get where we are going for a few days, I take it off and chain it to a tree with a lock. Then we can use the RT for touring the area.
I have thought and thought about the Stowaway, but I just can't see that much of an extension to clear the spare and according to their site, the right door on a RT will only open, as I recall, 30 degrees with this thing swung open. I think it is much greater on a PW.
So, the cheap way works well for us. We cover the stuff with a plastic tarp and tie it down to the platform and off we go.
Leaving in a week for several weeks in the Rockies and this will be how we will carry that extra stuff you always want. I just hate having "junk" inside the rv when going down the road.
We purchased our hitch mounted carrier from Cabela's. First one we bought was level with the hitch and ended up so low that it would drag in and out of driveways. Returned it and purchased the carrier for ATV's - has a raised hitch bar and provides the clearance needed. The previous owner had the rear shocks beefed up to carry a mobility scooter so the extra weight is not a problem.
* This post was
edited 07/04/09 09:02am by RiverkernB *
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