Do Hitch Extenders Work Without Capacity Reduction When Flat Towing

Published 01/18/2016

Question:

I have a motorhome, Itasca DP, that I will be flat towing a Jeep wrangler. I have a Hydralift motorcycle lift on the back of the coach and it extends back a ways from the coach. I towed a car on a Karkaddy dolly with no issues, tongue on dolly put car back about 5 feet. However flat tow dollys only put toed vehicle back about 3. I will need an extender. But some of the extenders state that towing capacity is reduced by 50. That wont work as the Hydralift hitch is rated at 7K and the Jeep is a bit over 4K. Am I correct that the extenders restrictions/limitations apply only to conventional towing, ball and hitch, and not flat towing? Thanks Will be ordering a wiring kit soon.

asked by: David W

Expert Reply:

For flat towing purposes the capacity of the hitch does not get reduced that same since the 4 wheels being on the ground prevents vertical tongue weight from being put on the hitch.

We sell high-low adapters that work in a similar way and they do not reduce towing capacities either.

If you need 18 inches of extension the part # HE18 that you referenced would work well for this.

expert reply by: Jameson C