Does Gen-Y 14 Inch Hitch Extender Reduce Total Weight Capacity of Trailer Hitch

Question:

I have a 2017 3/4T GMC with a factory hitch/receiver. My understanding is that these hitches are rated for very high towing capacity 20K?. I bought a slide in pickup camper and need an extension for my receiver as I need to leave the tailgate on and in the down position when using the camper and need extra clearance while towing my boat. My boat is a 20foot tournament fishing boat which is on a trailer that shows a rating of 7500# capacity although the overall weight of the entire rig is really around 4500# total. My tongue weight is 100-150# total max when towing as I have it set up perfectly and it rides very level. I see the disclaimers made by all mfrs that using longer than a 12 inch extension will reduce your capacity by 50. What exactly does that mean? What capacity is being reduced? My available rated tongue weight? My overall hitch rating? Both? If I need to comply with a 7500# load rating and my tongue weight limit is within 50 of my rated tongue weight capacity will your 14 inch extension rated for 10K be ok to use? Does reducing to the 2 inch receiver change the overall factory rating of the hitch and tongue capacity? This is really confusing and lots of misinformation out there so hoping someone can clarify this. Thanks!

asked by: Robert B

Expert Reply:

So for your GMC Sierra 2500, I was unable to find exactly what the hitch itself was rated for; I'm seeing different numbers all over the place, but I can still answer your questions regarding a hitch extender. Any adapter/extender will reduce the entire capacity and all ratings of the hitch, including the Gen-Y Hitch Hitch Extender for 2" Trailer Hitches - 14" Long # GY89SR.

If you use the # GY89SR your capacities will be limited to whichever is lower - half of your hitch capacities or the 10,000 lbs and 500 lb tongue weight rating of the extender.

I'll give a couple examples. If your hitch is rated for 18,000 lbs towing and 900 lbs tongue weight and used the extender, you would be limited to a 9,000 lb towing and 450 lb tongue weight rating - half of the hitch. You wouldn't abide by the extender rating.

OR if your hitch was rated for 21,500 lbs towing and 1,500 lbs tongue weight you would be limited to the 10,000 lb towing and 500 lb tongue weight of the # GY89SR extender.

Hopefully that helped clarify exactly what happens regarding ratings. The only other thing you'll need with this is a pin and clip or lock to secure it to your hitch, with pin and clip # C21582 or lock # e98881.