Will Using a Hitch Extender and Ball Mount Decrease the Capacity of a Trailer Hitch

Question:

Hello I have a question about tounge weight on trailer hitches. If my car can tow 3500 lbs my hitch tounge weight is 500 lbs and if I add a 18 inch extender HE18 which is 16 inches really then add a ball hitch C45016 to that so I would say total now s 20+ inches and the extender has a tounge weight of 350lbs and ball hitch that I added to extender is 500 lbs what would be my new tounge weight? Is it the autual weight of on the tounge? or near the toungue? I have a cargo rack CC-100 that I welded on the front of my trailer and theres 2 propane tanks 2 water tanks 2 gas cans each 5 gallons and a cooler plus weight of of cargo rack CC-100 so maybe 250 lbs about 20 inches from toungue. I wanted to add extender so backing up would be easier and didnt know the rules on adding exenders and hitch balls? or would it be better to add 80232 and skip the extender? let me know my options my whole camper weighs about 1200lbs its a small popup

asked by: Nicholas J

Expert Reply:

If the trailer hitch has a tongue weight capacity of 500 pounds and you use any kind of adapter or extender it reduces the tongue weight capacity by 50 percent so you would be down to 250 pounds. If you then add a ball mount in the extender it would drop it even more so you would likely be under 200 pounds tongue weight capacity. The use of extenders and then a ball mount would put a ton of leverage on the receiver causing damage to it and the vehicle.

Using a longer ball mount such as # EA40 that you mentioned is a much better plan. A long ball mount does not decrease the tongue weight capacity of the hitch. Keep in mind that hitches that are rated for use with weight distribution will have 2 sets of capacities, weight carrying and weight distribution.

Weight carrying is usually lower so if you are not using weight distribution then you need to go by the capacities listed for weight carrying. On a hitch rated for 3,500 pounds the tongue weight is usually 350 pounds and you would be limited to that.

I have included a link to a help article on determining tongue weight for you.

expert reply by: Michael H