RV Hitches and Weight Capacities for Using Hitch-Mounted Wheelchair Lift

Updated 09/06/2017 | Published 09/04/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Curt RV Bumper 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver

(824)

$128.61

Curt Adjustable Trailer Hitch Receiver - 18"-51" Wide - 2" Drop - Class III - 2"

(572)

$316.99

Question:

Will the Curt RV Bumper 2inch receiver support a elect. wheel chair lift? I have a 2011 Jayco 33RLDS Travel Trailer. Thanks in advance.

asked by: Jim W

Expert Reply:

Curt's bumper-mounted RV hitch # E-100 itself has a tongue weight (TW) rating of 350-lbs. This means that if the RV bumper can also handle this much weight that a wheelchair lift and chair with a combined weight of up to 350-lbs could be transported. Not all RV bumpers can handle such an additional load. If you check with Jayco using your trailer's VIN they should be able to tell you if the bumper can handle a hitch being attached to it and what the bumper's weight-carrying capacity is.

We also offer frame-mount RV hitches that often have higher capacities, some as much as 500-lbs of TW, like the Curt adjustable frame-mount hitch # C13701. As with the bumper-mount hitch, it is advisable to contact Jayco with the trailer VIN to confirm the weight carrying capacity of the frame.

You'll also want to confirm with the maker of your wheelchair lift that it is rated for use on the back of an RV. Any carrier used for that application needs to be specifically rated for such use; some bike and cargo carriers made for cars cannot be used on a trailer due to the additional stress forces found at the rear of trailers and other RVs. Be sure the chair carrier is rated for RV use to ensure no damage to the chair.

expert reply by: Adam R