Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

The local parts store has a 14" hitch receiver extension on sale this week. With my 6x10 V-Nose trailer, there is not a lot of trailer tongue length which makes for mounting external items such as tool/battery box or propane tank almost impossible due to the short clearance between the trailer and the TV, especially on very tight turns. I would think with the extra receiver hitch length, this clearance problem would be somewhat relieved, but before I spend the money, I am looking for suggestions, and pros/cons on this.

Thanks

They are a 'hitch receiver weakener' too, so you need to have a big margin of safety. I've heard reports of reductions in maximum tongue load to two-thirds or even to a half of the original receiver's maximum. Towing a teardrop, that's unlikely to be a problem but you need to be aware of the effect. It will also increase the leverage of the trailer on the tow vehicle, reducing its stability somewhat but, again, you probably are not near the limit with a teardrop.

Ooops, cancel some of the above - I've just seen you are talking about a cargo trailer which may not be that far off the maximum rating of your receiver.

Watch your tongue weight. According to Reese you will loose 1/3 of your tongue weight capacity with that. The farther you go back, the more you lose. If your tongue weight capacity is 500 lbs, it just dropped to 333 lbs. Plus when you move the hitch pivot point back it is easier drag your tongue or tongue jack, depending on your TV/hitch & CT setup.

Earnest

My CT has a GVWR of 3000 lbs and a recommended hitch weight of 10-15% of curb weight. The loaded weight of the trailer (as weighed on a scale this summer) is 2400 lbs. My new TV has a Class IV hitch with a ~1000 lb tongue weight rating. The TV has a 10,000 max towing capacity so I should be more then fine on the weight concerns.

Had a 10" extension (its still there, just gave the truck to my son) on my 2002 Nissan Frontier. Used to tow a 6x10 cargo loaded with motorcycles and camping gear and race gear. Never had a problem towing the trailer with the truck. It is supposed to lower the tongue weight, but again, never a problem, and I usually had the trailer heavily loaded, long hauls - 400 to 750 miles one way - at freeway speeds 70+.

I have used one several times. My Extension is solid 2" as is my receiver mount. It's much more likely that my hitch will come off my TV before I have a problem with the extender back to the CTC.

Wolfscout wrote: ............. It's much more likely that my hitch will come off my TV before I have a problem with the extender...............

Yup, that's my concern and I think if the "hitch" came of the TV it would be a bit of a problem.

I'm just not convinced, unless the hitch is a class 3 or better and the trailer is small and light, that it's worth the risk.

Cheers,

Gus

I meant that bit in a sort of sarcastic manner. ifyour hitch comes off.. it won't be because of an extender. mounted wrongly. or metal weakness perhaps.

Wolfscout wrote:I meant that bit in a sort of sarcastic manner. ifyour hitch comes off.. it won't be because of an extender. mounted wrongly. or metal weakness perhaps.

I knew that. Just following your lead.

Cheers,

Gus

eamarquardt wrote:

Wolfscout wrote: ............. It's much more likely that my hitch will come off my TV before I have a problem with the extender...............

Yup, that's my concern and I think if the "hitch" came of the TV it would be a bit of a problem.

I'm just not convinced, unless the hitch is a class 3 or better and the trailer is small and light, that it's worth the risk.

Cheers,

Gus

Personally, I don't tow unless its with a 2" square class 3 or 4, receiver hitch that is frame mounted. I just don't do bumper hitches, and don't really understand why you would have the little 1" square jobs I see on some small SUVs. Just doesn't seem to be worth it. And, no I wouldn't use an extension on one of the little things, just the 2" receivers.

Personally, I'd get some good quality ASTM 500 steel tubing and extend the trailer tongue before I tried some sort of reciever extender. Here's how I did it on the Command Post: