Hitch Reducer and Hitch Extender Effects on Hitch Capacity

Question

Question:

I need to add an adapter so I can tow a trailer with a 2inch receiver with my 1 1/4inch hitch. Can you recommend an adapter that will not reduce the towing capacity or a way of compensating for this with a reducer or something else? or maybe replacing my hitch with a standard 2? I have a 2005 Mini Cooper convertible. Thanks!

asked by: Cheryl R

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Expert Reply:

For your 2005 Mini Cooper convertible only a light-duty 1-1/4-inch Class I hitch is offered, the Curt model # C11126, which fits the non-S-Series convertible version.

But if the trailer you want to tow has a 2-inch coupler, this just means that it requires a 2-inch hitch ball like # A-82 which will work in ball mount # C45521. This is the recommend ball mount for the Curt Class I hitch. You do not need any sort of adapter to use a 2-inch hitch ball on your Mini.

In cases when a hitch is larger than the accessory item that will be mounted inside it we do offer reducer sleeves. Part # C45405 reduces a 2-1/2-inch hitch to a 2-inch and part # HT02 reduces a 2-inch receiver opening down to a 1-1/4-inch. Neither of these adapters reduces hitch capacity.

Certain other types of adapters, the extender type like # 80300 that move the load further from the hitch, DO reduce hitch capacity by 50% but reducer sleeves like # 58102 and # HT02 do not.

expert reply by: Adam R

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Answer 1

You certainly can! I'd recommend a reducer sleeve like part #BWRHXA2182 which is designed for this purpose. This reducer has pinched ends to prevent it from sliding into the 2-1/2 inch receiver too far, so it'll be easy to line up the…

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Answer 2

The towing capacity of the Channel Style Adjustable Ball Mount part #C45900 will vary depending on the hitch ball used i.e. 2" (10,000 lbs) and 2-5/16" (14,000 lbs). However, the towing capacity will not change when using the ball…

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Answer 3

Any type of hitch adapter or extender will have the unavoidable side-effect of causing a loss of about half of your hitch's rated capacity, both its tongue weight (TW) and it's gross towing weight (GTW). Hidden Hitch extender #HE18…

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Answer 4

For flat towing purposes the capacity of the hitch does not get reduced that same since the 4 wheels being on the ground prevents vertical tongue weight from being put on the hitch. We sell high-low adapters that work in a similar way and they do…

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Answer 5

You are correct, if you were to extend the length of your trailer tongue it would not lower the capacity of the tongue weight of your hitch. If anything the hitch has more leverage over the tongue weight now like you mentioned so the opposite would…

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Answer 6

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 7

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 8

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion…

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Answer 9

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 10

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two…

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Answer 11

Hey Travis, congrats on the new 2024 Jayco Flight 284BHS! Your travel trailer looks to have a GVWR of 7,950 lbs so I recommend going with the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution w/ 4-Point Sway Control #EQ37121ET and pairing it with the Shank…

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Answer 12

Lance does have a proprietary plug, but many customers see a standard 6-way or 7-way round and notice it doesn't fit their factory 7-way as well. I've attached an article to help if you have one of the 7-way or 6-way round connectors…

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