Longest Available 1-1/4-Inch Class II to 2-Inch Class III Hitch Extension Adapter

Updated 06/19/2017 | Published 06/16/2017

Question:

Hello, I hjust bought a 2000 Cadillac Eldorado, and need a 1-1/4 to 2 adapter. I have old ones, but they are too short. I carry a bike rack with the adapter and a cargo carrier - nothing too heavy. The adapters I have are 6 hole to hole, and will not go in far enough to pin. By my measurements, I need 6 inches of the 1-1/4 shank, before the 2 piece. The bumper does give some room starting at about 5, but not much. So I need to find an 1-1/4 to 2 adapter that has a longer shank 6, or a 1-1/4 extender that has the weld farther out at about 5 or more. As an example, I had a Curt 45522 receiver, and the top ledge was hitting the bumper, with the pin in. I just bought from you the 45591 it came today, and fits well - but doesnt leave too much room. Do you sell anything that might work for me? Thanks.

asked by: Dan

Expert Reply:

The aftermarket hitch offered for your 2000 Cadillac Eldorado, the 1-1/4-inch Curt Class II hitch # C12068, has a total tongue weight (TW) capacity of 350-lbs. If you use any adapter you will lose half of this TW capacity because the actual weight load on the hitch will be further from the hitch tube. This greater distance translates into move leverage applied to the hitch tube and this is what causes the loss of capacity. Using any adapter means the hitch TW rating drops to 175-lbs.

Hitch adapters/extenders also tend to allow for more motion of the item you install, such as a bike rack, since the adapter adds another mechanical connection point, which introduces the potential for more random movement.

The longest 1-1/4-inch to 2-inch hitch extender we offer is the Tow Ready # 80304. This will fit in your Class II hitch and provide 10-inches of extension. I measured this in our warehouse and confirmed the two hitch pin holes are spaced 10-inches apart.

expert reply by: Adam R