How To Tow a Motorcycle Trailer On The Back Of a 5th Wheel Trailer
Question:
I have a 2008 heartland bighorn fifth wheel and would like to put a receiver hitch on to haul motorcycle trailer. Do you have a recommendation?
asked by: Stan
Expert Reply:
Yes, for your 2008 Heartland Bighorn 5th Wheel Trailer I recommend using the Curt Adjustable Trailer Hitch Receiver part # C13701 which fits trailers with frame rails spaced between 18"-51" apart. The reason I recommend you use this hitch is because it has a higher towing capacity of 5,000 lbs than most other universal hitches of its kind so you will have more of a safety margin. In order to install the trailer hitch you have the option of either bolting or welding it to the frame. It has a durable black powder coat so you should not have any concerns with durability.
In addition to the above trailer hitch you will also need a trailer wiring harness to power the motorcycle trailer's lights. For this, I recommend 4-Pole Hardwire Kit part # 18252. This harness will simply splice into the wires just behind the tail lights on the trailer. The green wire is usually for the right turn/stop light, the yellow wire is usually for the left turn/stop light, and the brown wire is usually for the running light. The kit comes with quick splice connectors to make these splices but you may want to do a quick test of the wires before you splice into them with the included circuit tester to make sure the above colors/functions are correct. The white wire will then need to be ran up to the main trailer ground. Once the wires are all spliced in you can mount the trailer connector to the rear of the trailer with the Mounting Bracket 4-Pole Flat part # 18144.
Once you have the trailer hitch and trailer wiring harness installed you can then safely attach the motorcycle trailer with a ball mount/hitch ball like the Ball Mount Kit part # 989900. In order to then secure your motorcycle to the trailer I recommend using the Ratchet Tie Down Straps part # ETBMB-05852. I also recommend using the Trailer Hitch Receiver Lock part # C23519 to protect the trailer from theft.
Products Referenced in This Question
4-Way Flat Trailer Connector w/ 72" Harness, Circuit Tester and Wire Taps
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- No Converter
- 6 Feet Long
- Universal Fit
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
more information >
etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches - 7,500 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- 1-7/8 Inch Ball
- 2 Inch Ball
- Two Balls
- Steel Ball
- Steel Shank - Gloss Black
- Drop - 2 Inch
- Drop - 4 Inch
- Rise - 1 Inch
- Rise - 3 Inch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 7500 lbs GTW
- Class III
- Ball Mount Kit
- etrailer
more information >
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver Lock - 2" and 2-1/2" Hitches - Stainless Steel
- Trailer Hitch Lock
- Standard Pin Lock
- Keyed Unique
- Stainless Steel
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Fits 2-1/2 Inch Hitch
- Flush Pin
- 3-5/8 Inch Span
- CURT
more information >
Ratchet Tie Down Straps w/ Storage Bag - 12' Long x 1-1/4" Wide - 830 lbs - Qty 4
- Ratchet Straps
- Trailer
- Truck Bed
- S-Hooks
- 4 Straps
- Manual
- 11 - 20 Feet Long
- 1-1/8 - 2 Inch Wide
- 2001 - 3500 lbs
- etrailer
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt Adjustable Trailer Hitch Receiver - 18"-51" Wide - 2" Drop - Class III - 2"
- RV and Camper Hitch
- Frame Mount Hitch
- 18 - 51 Inch Wide Frame
- 500 lbs TW
- 5000 lbs GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- Bolt-On
- Weld-On
- CURT
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Article: Carrying Bikes While Towing a 5th Wheel Camper Trailer
- Q&A: Recommended Solution for Lifting 100-lbs Propane Tank Into Truck Bed of 2019 Chevy Colorado
- Q&A: Can I Carry 500 Lbs In The Etrailer 24X60 Cargo Carrier Without Any Issues When Hitting Potholes
- Shop: Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"
- Shop: Viking Solutions Rack Jack II Hoist w/ Winch - 2" Hitch Mount - Steel - 300 lbs
- Shop: Ratchet Tie Down Straps w/ Storage Bag - 12' Long x 1-1/4" Wide - 830 lbs - Qty 4
- Shop: Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Shop: Demco Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Single Jaw - Underbed - 21,000 lbs
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Q&A: Replacement Clearance Lights Needed for GLO-BRITE 122R and 122Y Lights
- Shop: Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Video: Choosing the Right Trailer Wiring
- Search Results: 44649
- Search Results: 68149
- Video: Lippert Solera Slider Slide-Topper Review
- Shop: 7- and 4-Pole Trailer Connector Socket w/ Mounting Bracket - Vehicle End
- Q&A: Recommended Replacement for Atwood Surge Brake Actuator 85778
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Shop: Gooseneck Hitch
- Search Results: dust cap
- Q&A: Seal With Dimensions to Replace 171255UC
- Video: Aries AdvantEdge Headache Rack Review
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Shop: Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Search Results: 25580
- Video: Choosing the Right Brake Controller
- Q&A: Replacement Trailer Grease Seals for Allis 5013 29772
on RV and Camper Hitch
