Why Does Using Hitch Extender Lower a Hitch Tongue Weight Capacity

Question:

Hello, I have a cargo carrier that weighs 310lb loaded. My hitch is rated for 350lb tounge weight. I have a 14” HD Curt extender bar to clear my spare tire. I am reading about the 50 loss. Am I operating this unsafe? I am also confused as to why a ball hitch extender does not cause this same 50 loss as it still creates this same leverage? Is the hitch receiver itself prone to damage or is the stress on the hitch extender itself?

asked by: Jason W

Expert Reply:

Using a longer ball mount doesn't usually reduce the capacity because it's a single piece installed into the hitch.

An extender like the # HE06 is different, because it 1) increases the length between the receiver and the load which increases the leverage but also primarily because 2) Adding the additional piece will cause the whole assembly to bounce more which compounds the leverage to a huge degree by adding more force.

When using the extender, your tongue weight capacity of the hitch is lowered to 175 lbs. Exceeding that could cause the hitch to bend or break, or could cause the attachment points between the hitch and the vehicle to fail. It's not really the carrier itself or the extender that would be the failure point.

You'd be better off trying to use a cargo carrier that has a shank that's long enough to clear the spare tire. I'd recommend the etrailer # e98874 which offers a whopping 19-1/2 inches of clearance rearward from your hitch pin. To see if that'll clear your spare tire, measure rearward from the hitch pin by 19-1/2 inches to see if you'll clear the spare tire.

If you click the provided link, you can see a product demonstration video featuring the cargo carrier I recommended.

expert reply by: Mike L