Effects of Using Hitch Adapters on Hitch Towing Capacity
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
I have a class III reese hitch installed on the bottom of my dodge Dakota. Im having trouble getting the hitch extension I bought to coat the bumper so I had to buy another extension. Can I use an extension and a rising adapter at the same time to tow my haulmark 10foot trailer
asked by: William J
Expert Reply:
It is not recommended to use multiple hitch adapters or extensions when towing. Most adapters will cause a loss of hitch capacity since they move the actual load further away from the hitch, which increases leverage on the hitch tube.
This applies to both a straight 2-inch extension like the 18-inch Curt # C45796 and to dual-receiver adapters like # MPG544, both of which cost you half the hitch's rated capacity. Multiple adapters also tend to introduce more rattle and noise.
The better solution when you need to add space between the vehicle and trailer is an extra-long ball mount like # BM20. This ball mount provides 10K capacity and 13-1/4 inches of clearance from the hitch pin hole to ball hole and requires a hitch ball with a 1-inch shank, such as 2-inch ball # 63845.

Product Page this Question was Asked From
Malone 2" Dual Purpose Hitch Receiver
- Hitch Adapters
- Hitch Extender
- Dual Hitch Adapter
- Bike Racks
- Cargo Carriers
- Hitch Mounted Accessories
- Trailers
- 10-1/2 Inch Extension
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 4000 lbs
- Malone
more information >
Featured Help Information
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Shop: Blue Ox Adjustable Ball Mount with Clamshell for 2" Hitch - 4" Drop/Rise - 10,000 lbs
- Shop: Brophy Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 3/4" Rise, 2" Drop - 13-1/4" Long - 10K
- Shop: Curt Drawbar for 1-1/4" Hitches - 5-3/8" Rise, 6" Drop - 5-9/16" Long - 2K
- Shop: Draw-Tite Drawbar for 1-1/4" Hitches - 5" Rise - 10" Long - 3,500 lbs
- Shop: Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Shop: Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Q&A: Curt Trailer Hitch # C11576 Install Instructions
- Q&A: Is It Safe to Tow Cross Country Using a 2-1/2 to 2 Reducer Sleeve
- Q&A: Recommended Ball Mount with 7 Inch Rise for Class I Trailer Hitch
- Q&A: Recommended Wiring And Trailer Light Kit For Harbor Freight Trailer
- Q&A: Does a Trailer have to be towed Level or Can it be Off Up or Down
- Q&A: Will 1-1/4 Inch Ball Mount With 5-1/2 Inch Rise Work if 5 Inches of Rise is Needed
- Q&A: Why Aren't Adjustable Ball Mounts Made for 1-1/4 inch Trailer Hitch
- Shop: Kenda 4.80-12 Bias Trailer Tire with 12" Galvanized Wheel - 4 on 4 - Load Range C
- Video: Setting up the Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Receiver on a 2018 Dodge Charger
- Search Results: trailer tongue extension
- Video: Finding the Right Trailer Wiring Harness
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Search Results: trailer hitch
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Search Results: trailer wiring
- Video: Curt Powered Tail Light Converter Installation - 2023 Kia Telluride
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Search Results: trailer hitch ball mount
- Video: How to Choose a Trailer Brake Controller
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Video: Mounting Bracket 4-Pole Flat: The Breakdown