Trailer Hitch Extension Needed to Allow Tailgate to be Lowered with Trailer Attached to Vehicle

Question

Question:

What can I use to extend my hitch ball further away from the truck so that I can open the tail gate without removing the trailer? What would be longest recommended extension? Hitch weight is approx 1000 lbs, trailer weight approx 8000 lbs. 2 receiver hitch, 10K capacity.

asked by: Ben

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Expert Reply:

I would not recommend any type of extension with your towing setup. Extenders create more torque on the vehicle frame, hitch, drawbar, extender and hitch ball because of the extension, just like adding a pipe to the end of a breaker bar. This added torque reduces that weight capacity of all of the components in the system by 50 percent, so your vehicles 10 K capacity would be lowered to 5 K if a hitch extension is used.

I would go with a long ball mount that is just long enough so you can lower your trucks tailgate with the trailer attached. In this case you would not be limiting your capacity and would add as little torque to the towing system as possible. We have several long ball mounts to choose from. you will need to match the drop or rise you need along with the length that you need for the tailgate to clear. A standard ball mount measures about 8-1/2 inches or so, depending on manufacturer. You can measure your existing ball mount from center of hitch pin hole to center of ball mount hole, see photo link, and determine the length of ball mount you will need.

I have linked a couple of ball mounts that may be suitable for your setup and added links to all of the long ball mounts for you to make a selection from. The measurement from the hitch pin hole center to the ball hole center is listed on each product page. I also attached a video showing how an extension affect the torque on a hitch and vehicle frame for you to view.

expert reply by: Robert G

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Answer 1

If you have a 2-1/2 inch hitch installed on your truck then you can use a hitch extender like the Curt part #C45048 which can give you from 24 to 34 inches of extension. You should note that when you use this extender the towing capacity is 6,000…

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Answer 2

I have an extension that meets your criteria. The Blue Ox Hitch Extender for Tow Bars - 2" Hitches - 6-3/4" or 8-3/4" Extension #BX88265. This has a 1000 lb tongue weight capacity and will give you 8-3/4 inches to accommodate your…

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Answer 3

There is one extender that will work with the 3 inch factory hitch on your 2017 Ford F-350 Super Duty, the TorkLift Cannon Hitch Extension, and it comes in three different lengths: 36" Long #TLE1636, 42" Long #TLE1642 and 48" Long…

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Answer 4

Yes, the mounting hardware required to install the 2-inch Class III Draw-Tite hitch #75662 on your 2013 Ram 1500 is included with the hitch. This particular hitch is a fit for 1500s with the factory-installed step bumper and without a factory hitch.…

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Answer 5

We have several extended ball mounts that will work for your Range Rover Sport. The ball mounts have various rise or drop features, so you will want to know just how much of a drop or rise you need. You can check out the attached helpful article that…

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Answer 6

One of the longest hitch mounted cargo carriers we offer is the etrailer #e98874 which has a distance of 19-1/2 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the nearest edge of the carrier when folded down. To determine how this carrier would work…

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Answer 7

You can have a 2-5/16 inch hitch ball on either a 1 inch or 1-1/4 inch shank. The nut on a hitch ball with a 1-1/4 inch shank takes a wrench with a 1-7/8 inch socket. A hitch ball with a 1 inch shank will take a wrench with a 1-1/2 inch socket. You…

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Answer 8

Most of the 2-5/16 inch hitch balls will use either a 1-inch diameter shank or 1-1/4 inch diameter shank. The nut size on a hitch ball with a 1-1/4 inch shank, like the Tow Ready 2-5/16 Inch Hitch Ball, part #19286, will use a 1-7/8 inch socket. A…

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Answer 9

Some hitch extenders provide more clearance but are for flat towing a vehicle behind an RV. There are other extensions, such as #HE06 which can be used for towing. With these or any extender it will reduce the tongue weight capacity of the trailer…

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Answer 10

I have a solution for you, but the Roadmaster Anti-Rattle Hitch Extender for Tow Bars - 2" Hitches - 7-3/4" Extension, #RM-071-1075, is designed to be used in flat towing applications. When flat towing a vehicle behind an motorhome there is…

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Answer 11

Yes, you can use the Reese Friction Sway control part #83660 without a weight distribution system. You would just need to use the tab part #RP26003 on the ball mount as well.

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Answer 12

When you use a hitch extender you will end up reducing the capacity of the vehicle by 50 percent like you mentioned. So your vehicle that has a 2,000 lb capacity would then be reduced to 1,000 lbs total trailer weight and 100 lbs tongue weight. I…

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Trailer Hitch Extension Needed to Allow Tailgate to be Lowered with Trailer Attached to Vehicle

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