Extra Long Ball Mount to Allow for Clearance of Canoes on a Trailer

Question:

Need a solution to tow canoes. We are buying a utility trailer and plan to modify it and/or get an extended ball mount. We dont think the extended hitch sounds like a good idea, even though weight is not a big consideration total weight of four canoes will be no more than 400 lbs while GVWR for trailer is 2000 lbs tongue weight of hitch 200 lbs. The utility trailer as is 11foot 6inch long the canoes are up to 17 foot long. So, is the 15inch ball extender better than extending the tongue on the trailer sleeve weld, I guess? Can we do both? One of your answers referenced an A-frame, but our tongue is just a straight line. Does that matter for using a ball extender? We plan to modify trailer by adding metal uprights wtih crossbars to place canoes. We are allowed to extend the canoes 4foot off the back of the trailer but obviously prefer to limit overhand as much as possible i.e. make the trailer as long as possible assuming that handling and safety would not be affected. THANK YOU!

asked by: Elizabeth G

Expert Reply:

Using the 13-1/4 inch ball mount, part # BM20, is obviously the easier solution however it may not give you enough room. You're in need of at least 2 feet just to get the canoes on the trailer and that doesn't even count additional clearance for turning. If the trailer is fabricated in such a way as to raise the canoes and they can extend over the trailer hitch (such as over the bed of a pick up truck) then this might work for you.

If that isn't feasible then extending the trailer's tongue may be your only option.

expert reply by: Charles S