Extension, Hitch Tongue Weight and a Motor Cycle Carrier with Loaded Truck Camper On a 2006 Dodge

Question:

I already purchased a Reese Hitch to fit my hitch extension RP45292 using the 34 extension from you. It is on my 06 Ram 2500 Diesel 4x4 quad cab short bed. What is my max tongue weight at the end of the 34. and with my 2000 lb truck camper loaded on the truck Note: I have air bags and helper springs I know that helps but is not in the calculations. I want to add a Quad or motorcycle carrier on end of the extension. Thanks, Peter Laskaris

asked by: Peter L

Expert Reply:

The Gross trailer weight for the Titan Hitch Box Extension for 2-1/2 inch Trailer Hitches, item # RP45292, extended to 34 inches is 4,500 pounds. So the Gross tongue weight would be 450 pounds at the receiver. You will need to check your owners manual to find out the tongue weight capacity of the vehicle and make sure that 1/2 of the vehicles tongue weight will not be exceeded. Using an extension will reduce the hitch and vehicles total tongue weight capacity by 50 percent. Once you know the vehicles tongue weight capacity you can calculate the amount of weight that will be usable at the extensions receiver.

This calculation for the amount of tongue weight is as follows, the weight of the extension plus the weight of the carrier plus the weight of anything on the carrier and the weight of all items behind the rear axle on the pickup. You will need to stay within 1/2 of the lowest rated items capacity, whether it be the vehicle, hitch or the extension. With the truck camper and the extension you may not have the capacity for carrying a motorcycle on a hitch mounted carrier.

Air bags and helper springs reduce the wear and tear on the vehicle and towed components but do not add increased towing capacity.

expert reply by: Robert G