Hitch Extension Needed To Flat Tow  

Someone on one of the iRV2 forums recommended you folks to help me with the following towing issue. I need help me finding a safe hitch extension solution that will take into account a motor cycle lift Cruiser Lift attached to the back of our motor coach and safely tow a vehicle weighing 6,600 pounds. The towing vehicle is a diesel pusher motor coach. As mentioned there is motor Cruiser Lift on the back of the coach, which requires an extension bar so that we can tow our truck. The Cruiser Lift hitch specifications include: Receiver Size: 2½” Type: Class IV Receiver Max Torque Weight: 1,000 lbs Max Gross Trailer Weight: 10,000 lbs The vehicle being towed pulls straight from the cruiser lift receiver hitch, not from the motorcycle tray frame. The tow bar that connects to the towed vehicle is manufactured by Blue Ox, model BX7445/BX7450 Aventa LX Tow Bar, which is a Class IV tow bar, steel construction and with a 10,000 lb rating. The Blue OX hitch bar extends about 7” from the back of the receiver to the tow bar arms. The Cruiser Lift originally came with a standard 32” class IV tow bar extension, but the maximum tow capacity of this extension is only 6,000 pound flat tow capacity. This was OK when we were towing a Jeep Wrangler. However, we have replaced the Wrangler with a 1500 truck that weighs approximately 6,500 pounds when it is fully loaded and ready to be towed. What we need is an extension that will allow us to safely tow the 6,500 pound truck. In addition to safely towing 6,500 pounds the extension needs to be long enough so that we can make sharp right or left hand turns if we need to and the truck will not bump into the truck. A word about the frame that holds the motor cycle and which attaches to the lift. 1. The frame is about 26” deep and extends about 3” beyond the end of the 32” extension bar that came with the lift. • The frame is about 68” across. In my opinion, I think the ideal length of the extension would be about 36”. This would provide ample distance from the lift and should allow enough room to make sharp right or left hand turns. My research so far as focused on an extension bar, but I understand there are also extension tubes. Is there a difference between what an extension bar can safely tow and what an extension tube can safely tow? What is the maximum length of an extension bar that will safely tow 6,500 pounds? What is the maximum length of an extension tube that will safely tow 6,500 pounds? When I look at Receiver Tubes on line, most only come with one hole at the receiver end. But, what If I drilled a hole at the other end of the tube so that I could secure that end to the receiver hitch would that work? At the risk of asking a really dumb question, does the thickness of the receiver tube wall make a difference? I would assume that it does. So, if a tube is potentially a better alternative than a bar, what would be the ideal combination of length and wall thickness that would allow me to safely tow 6,500 pounds? And, finally, what do you sell to meet this? Thanks for your help.

asked by: Bruce O