Will the 18 Inch Hitch Extender Part # HE18 Clear the Tailgate of a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Series

Question:

I have a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab w/ 57 box. We haul our 2-up ATV in the back which extends onto the tailgate, so the tailgate cannot be removed. We would like to buy a camper and are looking at pop-ups. Will this extension be long enough and strong enough to tow a pop-up camper? Do I need to go longer? Can it support a pop-up camper? Thanks in advance for the help.

asked by: Jamie

Expert Reply:

The hitch extender you referenced, part # HE18 will extend your receiver by 18 inches when measured from the center of the hitch pin hole in the receiver to the pin hole in the extender. When the 18 inch length of the extender is added to the length of the ball mount, you will probably find that you have enough distance to clear your tailgate unless the tongue of the pop-up is really short.

The downside of using an extender is the fact that placing the tongue weight load of the camper 18 inches rearward of the existing receiver will exert additional leverage on your hitch, which will decrease the tongue weight capacity of your existing receiver by 50 percent. To prevent damage to your receiver and possible loss of the trailer, you will need to determine the tongue weight capacity of your receiver, divide it by half, and make sure that the tongue weight of the camper you choose does not exceed that figure.

expert reply by: Mike L