Extension Hitches.

[Gonefishin]

Who's using them? How far back is too far? Pros/cons?
Couldn't find a thread anywhere with a search, and the topic has come up on another thread, so thought I might get some thoughts from anyone using one.

My ball arm extends out a long ways so I can make sharp turns and have the trailer 90 degrees to the truck. I can flip a U-turn on a two-laner! My F-150 tailgate still hits the top of the jack though, and I think the receiver I have is the longest one-piece they make. The jack just hits the end of the tailgate. Another 4 or 5 inches and it would clear. Not sure how long of receiver becomes unsafe or creates a "wierd" tow.

I know they make hitch extenders though, up to at least 18 inches or so. At risk of a slight hijack, anybody got any experience with those?
Here's an 8-incher. http://www.amazon.com/Receiver-Towing-E ... h+extender

And this looks pretty cool 'cause I could put on the bike rack too!
http://www.harborfreight.com/dual-hitch ... 69881.html

[Rainier70]

Here is a picture of my hitch. By using the first hole the two inch difference allows my tailgate to clear my jack. Might also be that my jack is mounted a little further back than yours?? Or that my receiver might be further back too. How many inches do you need to get clear? Opps. I see that you said 4 or 5 inches..

[MtnDon]

I actually have done the reverse and drilled a couple of mine so they can be placed and locked further in, reducing the extension. Those are mostly for my utility trailers which have long tongues anyways.

There are going to be limits and those are going to be determined in part by the tongue weight of the trailer, the firmness of the rear suspension and the tow capacity of the TV. An extended hitch will act like a lever to make the rear of the TV sag more with the same tongue weight. Pretty simple mechanics at work. Too many variables to say any one trailer / vehicle combo will work with any extension. But banging the tailgate is a PITA so I'd investigate cautiously.

There is a reason the trucks used to tow mobile homes have as short a distance as possible between the rear axle and the hitch ball.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Logic would dictate using that option would decrease your trailer tongue weight 50% on MORE !!!

and may cause other towing dangers.

FOR MY SAFETY please post a "KEEP back 1000' " sign on your trailer

[Gonefishin]

I will never tow in CA, so you're safe OTTCT. And Don is exactly right. As the bar is extended, it puts more force on the hitch/ball. The actual tongue weight doesn't change, only the force it exerts. I've read it can be as much as double, and seen some calculation charts that seem to indicate that, but it all depends on the initial tongue weight, tow suspension, and length of extension.

I guess my concern would be how far can I go, and what will be far enough to clear the tailgate. I'll have to hook it up and measure it precisely. Or, just put some more foam on top of the jack, be careful, and call it good! I've done that for 5 years with it now, and only put a few small scratches/dings in the tailgate over that time. However, I just got a new truck with one of those fancy/smancy back-up cameras in the tailgate, and will try and keep all the paint on the tailgate for a few years anyway.

Pictures to come, they'll show it better than I can tell it.

[Gonefishin]

Cindy, thanks for the photo. Here is what I have now. I've got nearly two inches on you! My jack may be closer, or my tongue is shorter, or something is different.

[Gonefishin]

Ok, here's what I got. I really only need 3 more inches! 4 more would be perfect. The ball mount I'm using has a stated shank length of 10 1/2". If I found a 14-incher . . . Doesn't seem like that would be adding too much, and if still one-piece, should have plenty of strength. Right now, its 8" from the bumper to the ball. If I made it 12", that doesn't seem like a significant change, and would make plenty of clearance for the tailgate.



The mount I have now: http://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpower-21343-Class-Mount/dp/B000CP8F46

[Gonefishin]

I guess I just became a field tester. I found a 16" one-piece mount for $37. Why not? Over a hundred positive reviews. People are using this on SUV's with spare tires in the way, like Jeeps. The "experts" at E-trailer say this mount will not reduce the tongue weight capacity. Some reviewers were towing 20-foot boats with it. I'll take it on a short trip and see how it does. The next shortest one I could find was 13 1/4", just a bit short for my needs. The 16" one will be here Monday.

I'd still be interested to know if anyone else is using such a long ball mount.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001P1Z2LU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Rainier70]

I don't know anything, but it seems like that would be better than the extensions. Hope it works for you.

[Rainier70]

I don't want to side track this too much, but how is that camera for hooking up? Helpful or confusing?

[Gonefishin]

Oh, that thing is the cat's meow. I just start backing up, look in my rear view mirror where the back-up camera displays, and back right up to the coupler on the first shot. Dead Center. I painted the trailer coupler white so I could see it easily, and its just too easy. I'm gonna be spoiled with it quickly.

Since I'm always towing a boat or the CT, I have gotten pretty good over the years at just doing it with the mirrors. Usually, hopping out maybe 3 times, tops, to get the distance right. No more with the new truck!

[Rainier70]

Dang! That's cheating!

[Gonefishin]

New ball arm installed, 3 inches clear of the jack! Easy, cheap, and I should have done that from day one, five years ago. At least the new truck's tailgate won't get scratched and dented. Thanks for the idea Cindy!

Here's a shot with the old shorter one laying below.

Now, if I can just remember it sticks out another 5-6 inches when I walk by it without the trailer hooked up and avoid breaking my shin and ringing out cuss words that can be heard all across the Rockies. I think I'll just remove it when I'm not towing to avoid busting my leg, parking lot collisions, or someone else getting too close to my bumper. The camera will hopefully keep me from backing up into anything.

[outsidezion]

Who's using them? How far back is too far? Pros/cons?

And this looks pretty cool 'cause I could put on the bike rack too!
http://www.harborfreight.com/dual-hitch ... 69881.html

I've got one like the HF dual hitch rated at 10,000 pounds. I've towed various trailers with it with no problems included an overland trailer while using the bike rack and also an 18' utility trailer with 8,000 lbs of trailer, tractor, bucket, and backhoe attachment. Its rated for what its rated.

The downside is that it is heavy, it is going to reduce the hitches' tongue limit but not its towing limit.

The positive is that it makes maneuvering easier such as backing into tight places, makes accessing the truck bed much more pleasant, and gives the option for a bike rack (which is still annoying when accessing the tailgate).

Despite what others say, if you stay within reasonable load ranges, it is entirely appropriate. Your truck is a truck - the loads we are pulling are nothing.

[Prem]

In the alternative
http://www.mrtrailer.com/hpic/hy7.jpg

or

http://www.mrtrailer.com/wpic/worldok3.jpg