Recommendation For Hitch Extender or Longer Ball Mount To Tow Trailer With Dodge Ram 3500
Question:
I am towing a 5,000lb rv trailer with a Dodge 3500 diesel truck. The truck is rated at 10,000 towing capacity but i want to leave my tailgate down to load my motorcycle and am considering a hitch extender to make this work. I need about 14 inches. Will your product work for this purpose?
asked by: Mike
Expert Reply:
I would recommend to use a longer ball mount instead of a hitch extender. When using a hitch extender the tongue weight capacity is reduced by 50 percent, so a hitch that has a 600-lb tongue weight capacity will be reduced to 300 lbs.
If you have a 2 inch hitch on your Dodge 3500 truck and use a longer ball mount like the Brophy Ball Mount, part # BJ20, it will not reduce the tongue weight capacity and it measures 13-1/4 inches from the center of hitch pin hole to center of hitch ball hole. This ball mount will have a 10,000-lb towing weight capacity and a 1,000-lb tongue weight capacity.
You will also need to take into consideration when extending the trailer further back from the truck it will affect how the trailer reacts when backing up the trailer.
If you have a 2-1/2 inch hitch on your truck there will not be a ball mount that will be any longer than what is recommended for that hitch.
The Roadmaster Hitch Extension, part # RM-071, that you have referenced, is not designed to be used for any type of trailer. It is designed to be used only when flat towing a vehicle.
Products Referenced in This Question
Brophy Ball Mount for 2" Hitch - 3/4" Rise, 2" Drop - 13-1/4" Long - 10,000 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- No Ball
- 1-1/4 Inch Ball Hole Diameter
- Steel Shank - Gloss Black
- Drop - 2 Inch
- Rise - 1 Inch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 10000 lbs GTW
- Class IV
- Long Shank
- Brophy
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Roadmaster Hitch Extender for Tow Bars - 2" Hitches - 11" Extension
- Accessories and Parts
- Tow Bar
- Hitch Adapters
- Hitch Extension
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 11 Inch Extension
- Roadmaster
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Q&A: Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2024 Ram 1500 Behind Motorhome With Roadmaster Tow Bar
- Q&A: How to Tell If Spare Tire Carrier Will Work with Yakima BackRoad Bike Rack on a 2019 Lexus NX 300h
- Q&A: Items Needed to To Flat Tow 2000 Volkswagen Cabriolet
- Article: How to Carry Bikes While Towing a Travel Trailer
- Article: Best Bike Racks for Electric Bikes
- Q&A: Availability of Bumper Hitch that Can Fit 4 inch Square Bumper for Carrying Generator
- Q&A: Recommended Lock For Brophy Rigid Mount Spare Tire Carrier BR56VR
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 4-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Q&A: Dimensions Of Blue Ox Hitch Extender for Tow Bars
- Article: How to Choose a High-Low Adapter
- Article: Must-Have Flat Towing Components
- Q&A: Recommended Hitch Extension for 2004 Ford F-350 with Camper Towing 7100 lbs Travel Trailer
- Article: How Level Should a Tow Bar Be When Flat Towing