Recommended Hitch Extension for 2004 Ford F-350 with Camper Towing 7100 lbs Travel Trailer

Question:

I have a 2004 Ford F350 dually with a cabover camper that extends a few inches beyond the bed. The truck has a hitch rating of 15000 lb. GTW, 1500 lb. TW with WD hitch. I want to tow a travel trailer that has a GVWR of 7100 lb., with a tongue weight of approximately 700 lb. I need an extension to eliminate interference of camper with trailer. Not sure how long I need, but I would like to try about 14 inches to start. What extensions do you have that would fit my application?

asked by: Irv L

Expert Reply:

If you need 14 inches to clear your camper, you might be interested in the Curt # C45795. This hitch extender will give you 14 inches of clearance from your current pin hole location. Please note that using a hitch extender will decrease the weight capacity of your trailer hitch by 50 percent.

It sounds like your vehicle has a weight capacity of 15000 lbs, and a tongue weight of 1500 which would be well within your weight limit even with the reduced capacity using the hitch extender. However, you also want to consider the weight capacity of the trailer hitch itself. I looked at some of the popular hitches for your vehicle and most Class III trailer hitches will have a weight capacity of 10,000 lbs and a tongue weight of 1,000 lbs. Using the hitch extender would mean are over your weight limit. Using weight distribution system will give you a little more weight capacity, but not enough to tow safely.

Your best bet is to move up to a Class V hitch like the Curt hitch # C15410. With this hitch your gross trailer weight will be 17,000 lbs and your tongue weight will be 2,550 lbs.

I have included a link to the parts referenced above, and some short demonstration videos for you.

expert reply by: Chris O