Making it Easier to Load Scooter on Carrier on an RV with Trailer Hitch that is High Off the Ground

Updated 01/18/2017 | Published 01/17/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster High-Low Adapter - 2" Hitches - 10-1/4" Rise/Drop - 10K GTW, 400 lbs TW

(1630)

$227.00

Erickson Arched Loading Ramp - Center Fold - Steel - 80" Long x 11" Wide - 800 lbs

(71)

$153.27

Question:

Im looking to put the RM-048-10 srop on my RV so I can get my scooter more easily and safely onto the carrier and ramp. The scooter is 250lbs and the carrier about 50lbs. Is this suitable for the task please?

asked by: Roger P

Expert Reply:

High/low adapter # RM-048-10 can be used for hitch mounted accessories such as a scooter carrier. However the use of an adapter reduces the tongue weight capacity of the trailer hitch by 50 percent. It also moves the accessory further away from the hitch receiver resulting in extra stress on the hitch (which is the reason the tongue weight capacity is reduced).

Most hitches on RVs are rated for 500 pounds tongue weight meaning at 50 percent reduction it is only rated for 250 pounds. The combined weight of the scooter and carrier will exceed the reduced capacity.

What I recommend is to use the longest ramp you can find. A longer ramp reduces the angle you will be pushing the scooter up. It wouldn't take much to modify ramp # EM07464 or a similar item to be temporarily fixed to the carrier. It is 80 inches long (6-1/2 feet) which is long than the ramps on most carriers.

expert reply by: Michael H