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01-02-2022, 01:47 PM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Livingston
Posts: 21
M.O.C. #18893
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Uses for accessory hitch?
Just wondering if anyone has found a good use for the accessory hitch. It is pretty much useless for bicycles as we all know. But it seems like I should be able to use it for something.
Anyone have some thoughts?
Walt
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2016 F350 DRW
2017 Montana 3661RL
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01-03-2022, 05:08 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 2,137
M.O.C. #25165
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The only thing I use mine for is to stow the rock tamers when they're not on the truck. I can remove the insert with them from the truck and put it on the 5'er and lock it down.
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Robert & Diana McNeal
2019 Montana Legacy 3791RD 20th Anniversary Edition
2014 F350 4x4 6.7L SRW
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01-03-2022, 05:11 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 2,137
M.O.C. #25165
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Forgot to mention, we are considering getting kayaks so I may get a hitch receiver to tow them vertically if we do.
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Robert & Diana McNeal
2019 Montana Legacy 3791RD 20th Anniversary Edition
2014 F350 4x4 6.7L SRW
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01-09-2022, 03:33 PM
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#4
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Tifton
Posts: 63
M.O.C. #21975
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Kayaks
Quote:
Originally Posted by RMcNeal
Forgot to mention, we are considering getting kayaks so I may get a hitch receiver to tow them vertically if we do.
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Regarding Kayaks we faced the problem of how to carry a Kayak a couple of years ago and ended buying a Sea Eagle inflatable 12' Kayak. The Sea Eagle comes with a carrying bag and all the accessories and fits easily in the front storage compartment. Yes, you're right about the rear hitch!
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01-03-2022, 08:42 AM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Boone
Posts: 311
M.O.C. #21011
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What size opening is yours? I thought they were all 2” receivers?
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2018 Montana HC 362RD
2016 Chevrolet 3500 Duramax HD SRW
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01-03-2022, 10:28 AM
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#6
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Established Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Livingston
Posts: 21
M.O.C. #18893
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The accessory hitch on my model is a 1 3/4 receiver and does not extend far enough out for a bike rack to clear w/o an extension. The extension pretty much halves the weight capacity, plus the way it is built is not (imho) strong enough to handle road stresses.
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2016 F350 DRW
2017 Montana 3661RL
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01-04-2022, 05:51 PM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Boone
Posts: 311
M.O.C. #21011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by texastwostep
The accessory hitch on my model is a 1 3/4 receiver and does not extend far enough out for a bike rack to clear w/o an extension. The extension pretty much halves the weight capacity, plus the way it is built is not (imho) strong enough to handle road stresses.
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I have never heard of a 1 3/4 receiver. Im pretty sure I have every size available on the farm. You sure it isnt 2 inch. Anyway, in a nut shell, class 1 & 2 hitch, (1 1/4 receiver) rated for 200 and 350 lb tongue weight. Class 3 hitch (2 inch receivers) ratings 300-800 lbs.
Your receiver should handle most accessories that you can imagine, 2-4 bikes, 2 e bikes, generators, grills, and pull small trailers. Most bike carriers come available to fit without the bikes touching the back of the camper. Our hitch is underneath and never had to use an extension. The key to the receiver and hitched accessories is using a anti rattle device that will make any hitch rock solid. The stress from our rough highways disappear with a tight connection and no movements from the accessories. The folks that you see with the bouncing and out of control bike racks on the back of their campers, usually doesnt last long. Gravity and stress usually removes them.
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2018 Montana HC 362RD
2016 Chevrolet 3500 Duramax HD SRW
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01-09-2022, 05:10 PM
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#8
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Established Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Livingston
Posts: 21
M.O.C. #18893
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As it turns out, it is actually a 1 1/4 hitch (sorry, I guesstimated incorrectly before) with a load capacity of 150 lbs. Since I have to use an extension to clear the fiberglass cap on my rig, the capacity is reduced to 75 lbs. So a 30 lb bike carrier and two 30 lb bikes would just be asking for trouble. Just wondered if someone had found clever use other than as a bicycle carrier.
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2016 F350 DRW
2017 Montana 3661RL
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01-03-2022, 09:10 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,468
M.O.C. #23668
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I found that the hitch wasn't all that useful. It's tucked under the coach so it requires some kind of extension to make it accessible. By then it has too much flex so too much bounce/movement. I tried a cargo deck in the 2" receiver, plus the extension. Way too much bounce.
It's just bolted on to the frame so I removed mine. I made my own fold up cargo deck that bolts in the same place. Almost no movement and now it's useful. The most I carry back there is 200-300lbs (usually less) and it's always ridden very well. I keep an eye on it with the rear view camera. Much better application for our needs. YMMV
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Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana HC 305RL / HW Progressive EMS
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4 DRW / Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
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01-03-2022, 10:35 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2020
Location: UPLAND
Posts: 1,255
M.O.C. #26190
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Quote:
Originally Posted by texastwostep
Just wondering if anyone has found a good use for the accessory hitch. It is pretty much useless for bicycles as we all know. But it seems like I should be able to use it for something.
Anyone have some thoughts?
Walt
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We haul our two E-bikes with ours and have no issues
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2019 Keystone Montana 3560RL, 2020 Chevy 2500 HD, Firestone airbags, Air Lift wireless compressor, Curt gooseneck, 20K Reese Goosebox, TST-507, USMC combat vet & retired LEO. Robert, Anika, Breanna, Dylan (daughter-in-law Stephanie). & our Great Pyrenees Layla
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01-03-2022, 10:55 AM
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#11
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Established Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Livingston
Posts: 21
M.O.C. #18893
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Some variations of the Montana come with a towing hitch receiver. I would guess you got the better one.
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2016 F350 DRW
2017 Montana 3661RL
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01-09-2022, 05:00 PM
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#12
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Established Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Oakland
Posts: 29
M.O.C. #26900
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Hi
What Bike rack do you use for your E bikes? Thanks
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01-03-2022, 05:23 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,581
M.O.C. #22835
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Yep, found a GREAT use for the hitch. It's not suitable for a cargo carrier or a bicycle rack carrier, but it does work absolutely great for this:
Hitch with nothing on it:
Hitch with something on it: What is that?
Here ya go:
Here's how I made it:
Of course, you can put your own license plate or personalized plate on there too. Anyway, it was a fun project to do.
__________________
Who you are right now is a sum total off all you use to be.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
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01-03-2022, 06:01 PM
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#14
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Established Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Livingston
Posts: 21
M.O.C. #18893
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Nice job!
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2016 F350 DRW
2017 Montana 3661RL
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01-04-2022, 04:30 AM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Belpre
Posts: 171
M.O.C. #25951
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I use ours for an E-bike. We have two, but it doesn't seem sturdy enough for both so the other one gets disassembled and stowed in the pass through storage area. We've been all over the east coast so far and haven't lost anything yet. I do use a hitch tightener and supplemental ratchet straps to the ladder to minimize movement. It's a lot tighter than when I put the same rack on my truck, because I have to use a sleeve to adapt the rack to the 2" receiver on my truck, whereas the accessory hitch fits the receiver without any adapter.
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Andy + Shari (plus our furry friends Goose and Huge). Fulltiming since 3/2020. 2020 Montana 3855BR. 2016 RAM 3500 SRW Tradesman with Tow/Haul package. Curt E16 Slider Hitch.
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01-04-2022, 09:55 AM
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#16
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Coloma, Wisconsin
Posts: 202
M.O.C. #28036
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Wheel my generator up on an aluminum ramp/carrier and strap my bike upside down behind that. It all weighs less than the 300lb max hitch weight. I also add one of those universal anti rattle clamps to my receiver so the rack does not bounce around or rattle. It is rock solid. Everything is secured with heavy duty chain and lock to help slow the criminal type.
Amazon:
Trimax THC250 Universal Anti-Rattle Clamp Fits 2-1/2" Hitch, Silver
Amazon:
MAXXHAUL 70275 Aluminum Cargo Carrier | With 60" Folding Ramp | 53.5" x 29"
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Chuck
2019 3121RL 35 ft., 2020 3500 Dodge Ram SRW, Cummins 6.7 HO, Air Bags - Air Lift BT Wireless Compressor, Coloma, Wisconsin
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01-04-2022, 05:49 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,142
M.O.C. #1920
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I think some are confusing the accessory hitch and the towing hitch. They offer both. We got the towing hitch. It also has the towing flat plug for a utility trailer.
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Ron and Terrie Ames - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
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01-04-2022, 05:52 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 525
M.O.C. #19994
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rames14
I think some are confusing the accessory hitch and the towing hitch. They offer both. We got the towing hitch. It also has the towing flat plug for a utility trailer.
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ours is the accessory "designer hitch" looks good but serves no purpose
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The "Black Pearl"-2017 3731FL Legacy Package
2017 F-450 Platinum, 6.7 PSD
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01-05-2022, 09:35 AM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,581
M.O.C. #22835
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rames14
I think some are confusing the accessory hitch and the towing hitch. They offer both. We got the towing hitch. It also has the towing flat plug for a utility trailer.
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Here's the label attached to my hitch. No confusion here.
__________________
Who you are right now is a sum total off all you use to be.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
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01-04-2022, 07:33 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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Commenting on "Rock Solid with the anti rattle device" in above replies. You might want to follow someone else driving your truck and fiver down a typical US hi-way with your hitch loaded up. Evaluate what you see before your very eyes. Unless Keystone has really beefed up the mount in recent years ... there just isn't much back there to support anything. I've seen several owners dump the OEM hitch and have a dual receiver fabbed onto the rear frame ... then a carry rack mounted to the dual receivers. Much more stable.
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