Flat Towing Capacity of Reese RP45018 Hitch Box Extension

Question:

I would like to use to flat tow a 2015 Jeep Wrangler unlimited just under 5000 lbs loaded with supplemntal break system behind 2016 Dodge 3500 dually with 2.5 inch OEM hitch carrying a truck camper. Id be using the extension at 48. Considering there is no tongue weight to redistribute is this safe to use up to the WD weight or am I stuck needing to install a torklift super hitch? Are there other options for this set up? Perhaps simply using it at 41 and having the hitch and blue ox tow bar connect 5-6 inches beneath the truck camper rather than flush with the back?

asked by: Scott B

Expert Reply:

At the 48 inch length, the Reese # RP45018 Hitch Box Extension has a 4000 lb capacity, and a 6000 lb rating when used with weight distribution. Even though in your situation, there won't be any tongue weight exerted on the extension, the towing capacity still wouldn't change from 4000 lbs according to Reese. I'm sorry to say at the 48 inch length, the Hitch Box Extension wouldn't be a good choice for your Wrangler Unlimited.

It might be possible to use the bar at the 41 inch length, but you'd need to determine if this will provide enough clearance between the rear of the slide in camper and the front of the Wrangler Unlimited, or the Jeep could collide with the corners of the camper during turns.

If there's not enough clearance at the shorter length, going with the # TLD1108 Torklift SuperHitch and the # TLE1548 SuperTruss would be a solution.

expert reply by: Mike L