Adapter to Use Erickson Big Bed Junior Load Extender with a 2008 Toyota Prius

Question:

Hello, I sent a prior message regarding the same situation. I have #24808 on my Prius and have #EM07605 for my 4 runner. Could I use a 1/4 to 2 inch adapter so the #EM07605 load extender be used? I am only loading a fiberglass one man canoe which weighs around 20-30 pounds. I only want the load extender on my Prius so that the canoes weight is evened out on my roof racks and load extender rack. With the adapter I know the weight capacity on the hitch tongue would be 100lbs. I dont think the load extender weighs much along with the canoe, but I could be wrong. Is a ball mount adapter for the 1/4 hitch and load extender recommended because it doesnt cut the tongue weight capacity in half? Thank you for your help.

asked by: Kulia

Expert Reply:

The use of a hitch expander, # HTAD, will reduce the tongue weight capacity of the trailer hitch # 24808 on your 2008 Toyota Prius by 50 percent. The tongue weight capacity of the hitch starts out at 200 pounds but by using the expander it would be reduced to 100 pounds. This means that the total weight on the hitch cannot exceed 100 pounds like you said.

The Erickson load extender # EM07605 weighs about 26 pounds. That means that the amount of weight from the canoe on the extender cannot exceed 74 pounds. So long as you are under that 100 pound tongue weight you can use this set up.

Any adapter, with very few exceptions, will reduce the tongue weight capacity of the trailer hitch.

expert reply by: Michael H