Hitch Extended to Keep Trailer From Hitting Flat Bed Truck While Turning
Updated 06/19/2017 | Published 06/17/2017
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
I have a 1 ton dually that I tow a 14ft landscape trailer with. The trailer max gvwr is 3000lbs. I believe my current stock hitch tonge rating is 950lbs. I need to use a 8inch ball and that is rated for 5000lbs. Currently my issue is when making sharp turns, I will hit the trailer with the back of my flatbed. I need a hitch extension but Im nervous about how much weight Ill be loosing for my tonge weight and max trailer weight. Is this a product I should consider? Or is there a better option for me that I dont know about? I tow the trailer weekly and often find myself in tight situations and the real problem is turning the trailer around in my driveway. Any help is appreciated. Thanks
asked by: Cameron C
Helpful Expert Reply:
Since flat beds are longer than regular truck beds situations like yours can occur more often than with a regular truck. Using a longer ball mount or a hitch extender is a viable option. Since the longest ball mount with an 8 inch drop is # C45338. It measures 9-3/8 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the center of the ball hole.
If that is not enough length then an extender will need to be used. The use of an most extenders reduces the tongue weight capacity of the trailer hitch by 50%. The # ST18 extender reduces the tongue weight capacity by 33-1/3 percent but does not reduce the gross trailer weight capacity. So if your hitch tongue weight capacity is 950 pounds the use of an extension such as # ST18 will reduce that to 633 pounds.
Considering that the gross trailer weight is 3,000 pounds the tongue weight should be around 300 to 450 pounds. Provided that you kept the tongue weight in that range (or below 475 pounds) you will be good to go.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Brophy Hitch Extender with Step - 2" Hitches - 18" Long - 6-1/2" x 17" Platform
- Hitch Adapters
- Hitch Extender
- Bike Racks
- Cargo Carriers
- Hitch Mounted Accessories
- Trailers
- 18 Inch Extension
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 3500 lbs
- Brophy
more information >
Featured Help Information
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Search Results: gh~8056
- Search Results: rvk3500
- Shop: Gooseneck Hitch
- Q&A: Compatible Replacements For A Lippert Rhino Box Pin Box On A 2021 Cedar Creek 37MBH
- Q&A: Base Dimensions of B and W Companion Flatbed Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter
- Video: Review of Demco 5th Wheel Gooseneck Adapter - Adapts Flatbed Truck - DM8550046
- Shop: B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch for Flatbed Trucks - 30,000 lbs
- Shop: B&W Companion Flatbed Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter - Dual Jaw - 25,000 lbs
- Shop: Demco Recon Gooseneck-to-5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter for Recessed Ball - Single Jaw - 21,000 lbs
- Shop: Gen-Y Hitch Shock Absorbing 5th Wheel to Gooseneck Pin Box - Lippert 1621/1621HD - 30K GTW - 4.5K TW
- Shop: B&W Companion Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Shop: Replacement Base for B&W Companion Flatbed 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - 25,000 lbs
- Video: B and W Gooseneck - Below the Bed - BWGNRK1500 Review
- Video: Review of the Replacement Base for B and W Companion Flatbed 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch
- Video: Convert-A-Ball Cushioned 5th-Wheel-to-Gooseneck Adapter: The Breakdown
- Video: Feature Breakdown: B and W Companion Flatbed Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter
- Video: B and W Companion Flatbed Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter Review
- Q&A: Weight Ratings For Brophy and Buyers Products Hitch Extenders With Steps
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Q&A: Why Can't Viair TLC Tire Inflator Air Chuck Be Used with All Compressors
- Q&A: Can I Add a Air Tank to the Air Lift WirelessAIR Air Compressor AL74000EZ?
- Q&A: How to Replace a Lance 6-Pin Plug w/ a Standard 7-Way Connector
- Q&A: Extending a 2 Inch Trailer Hitch 30 Inches to Clear In-Bed Camper when Towing a Boat Trailer
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Article: How to Measure Your Trailer Wheel Bolt Pattern
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Article: How to Install E-Track in 3 Easy Steps
- Article: Our Team Picked The Best Camping Gear of the Year - Here Are Their Top Choices
- Article: Best Bike Racks for Electric Bikes
on Hitch Adapters
