Hitch Recommendation for Highland Open Range 5th Wheel to Tow Enclosed Trailer

Question:

Looking for a rear hitch on the rear of my fifth wheel I was thinking of a car dolly with a 2 inch ball to pull my 16 ft enclosed trailer behind my open range 3x is their a hitch available to make that happen

asked by: Dave

Expert Reply:

I have a solution for you, but you'll need to take a few things into consideration to determine whether or not this will work for you.

You could use a hitch like the Curt Adjustable Width Trailer Hitch Receiver for RVs # 13703 which is designed for trailer and RV frames 22"-72" wide and has a 3500-lb towing capacity. This hitch can be mounted on the frame of your Open Range 427BHS, however I would first consult with your trailer's owners manual to determine whether or not the frame is rated for towing- I've seen some conflicting information as to whether or not the frames on these trailers are actually rated for towing a trailer behind it.

If your trailer has a box frame, C-channel, or I-beam frame no more than 72" wide and the frame is rated for towing up to 3500-lbs, the Curt # 13703 will work for you. This hitch can be either welded or bolted-on; if welding, it is recommended that the welding should be done by a certified welder.

You'll also likely need wiring like the the Hopkins # HM38134 to extend a 4 way connector back to work the lights on your enclosed trailer. You will have to splice this into either your tow vehicle or the trailer; or you can use a 7 way kit like the # ETBC7 if your enclosed trailer has brakes. You can purchase 10 gauge wire by the foot with # 10-1-1 to run any additional wires you might need when splicing into the existing trailer's wiring.

The other consideration you'll need to take is the total length of your truck and both trailers as well as where you're going to be driving; some states do not allow for triple towing and there are limits on the total length of your tow setup as well as certain endorsements that you must carry on your drivers license. You'll need to check the laws of the State you're in as well as the ones you'll be traveling to in order to confirm whether or not this is possible.