Could Curt Extender # C45796 be Used with 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 with Tailgate Down

Question:

I have a situation with towing my camper as well as bringing my ATV along. I can not close the tailgate with the ATV in the back, which weighs about 750 pounds. The Dodge is the short box at 57inch I believe, and the camper I am towing is a Winnebago Winnie Drop with a dry weight of 2800 and GVWR of 3800. With the tailgate having to be open, I need the clearance to be able to attach the camper to the ball. I tried a longer draw bar which gave me the clearance to open and close tailgate, but it falls right on top of the camper coupler still. Will this be to much of a load?

asked by: Christopher L

Helpful Expert Reply:

Hitch extenders like the part # C45796 that you referenced can work great for your application but the catch is that they cut the capacity of the hitch they are installed in by 50 percent. Since your trailer has a dry weight of 2,800 lbs your trailer hitch would need to have a capacity of 5,600 lbs for it to work.

Also the extender itself cannot be used to tow more than 3,500 lbs so you'd need to verify you are under that capacity as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C