Trailer Hitch Options for a 2008 Fleetwood Avalon Pop-Up Camper

Updated 03/29/2013 | Published 03/26/2013

Products Featured in This Question

RV Bumper 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver - Clamp-On

(141)

$38.49

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

(582)

$330.76

Question:

I would like to place a towing hitch on the rear of a 2008 Fleetwood Avalon Pop-Up Camper that will be capable of towing a 19foot boat. The boat, trailer and motor will weigh approximately 2500 lbs. with a tongue weight of 250 lbs. I would like to stay with a Class III hitch with 500 lb. tongue weight and at least 6000 lb towing weight. Or more. I would prefer a frame mount style but am unsure if the framework will support it. I can replace the bumper with a welded on 4 x 4 steel bumper with a thickness of .375 wall. Any recommendations here.

asked by: Phillip

Expert Reply:

Frame mounted trailer hitches are always a more secure option over bumper mounted hitches and typically have higher towing and tongue weight capacities. Before you install a trailer hitch on your 2008 Fleetwood Avalon pop-up camper, I recommend contacting Fleetwood to see if they have a recommended towing capacity for your camper. I know many trailer manufacturers do not recommend towing a trailer behind another trailer for safety reasons and some pop-up campers are not even rated for towing.

We have many different trailer hitch options that have the towing capacities to haul your boat trailer, but the weight capacity will be limited by the lowest rated component. If the towing capacity of your trailer is rated lower than our trailer hitches, then you should not exceed that towing capacity.

If you find that it is okay to tow your boat trailer with your pop-up camper, then, for the capacities that you are looking for, one option is the Curt Adjustable Trailer Hitch Receiver # C13701. This hitch has a 500 lb tongue weight capacity and a 5,000 lb towing capacity. This hitch will fit frame widths between 18 inches and 51inches. If used with a weight distribution system, this hitch is rated for up to 6,000 pounds towing capacity.

expert reply by: John H