Can 18 Hitch Extension HE18 Be Used To Carry Cargo Carrier Or Tow Small Boat?

Question:

I am looking at an 18inch Hitch extender. From my review of videos on etrailer.com I see that the tongue weight limit is 350lbs. I am getting the extender for two reasons and both of them relate to an 8foot slide in camper for a 6 1/2foot bed. I want to get a cargo carrier to haul my extra fuel so it is outside the camper and I dont have to unload the fuel each time I need to access the camper. The second is I plan on hauling a 17foot boat that weighs 1700 lbs. I am assuming the tongue weight will not exceed 350 lbs. Finally, I was looking at the stabilizer for the hitch extension. My vehicle is a 2001 F-250 Super Duty Ford should I switch out the hitch or is there another product that will work with the 18inch extension? The other hitch stabilizer requires hollow tubing. Thank You

asked by: Dan

Helpful Expert Reply:

You are correct.

Using the Draw-Tite Hitch Extender for 2" Hitch Receivers - 18" Long # HE18 you were looking at will limit the tongue weight rating to 350lbs and a 3500lb trailer weight rating, but also reduces the capacities of your trailer hitch receiver by 50%.

For example if the trailer hitch receiver on your 2001 Ford F-250 has a tongue weight rating of 1000lbs, and a trailer weight rating 10000lbs your would now be limited to 500lbs tongue weight and 5000lbs trailer weight. Since that is above the 350lb and 3500lb ratings of the extender you would be fine. Since your truck is an F-250 it likely has a trailer hitch receiver with close to the ratings mentioned, so I don't foresee any issues

Since your boat is only 1700lbs you should not exceed the 350lb tongue weight rating, and as long as you are careful to keep the weight of your cargo carrier and fuel under 350lbs this is a great option for you.

I recommend the etrailer Anti-Rattle Hitch Stabilizer # e99007 which will slip over your receiver and keep the extension from moving around.

I included videos for both of the products mentioned for you to take a look at.