How to Extend Hitch Connection Between Trailer and Truck to Allow Tailgate to be Fully Lowered

Updated 08/01/2017 | Published 07/29/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster Anti-Rattle Hitch Extender for Tow Bars - 2" Hitches - 7-3/4" Extension

(162)

$169.70

Curt Hitch Extender for 2" Trailer Hitches - 14" Long

(671)

$92.71

Ball Mount 3/4" Rise or 2" Drop - 12-5/8" Long

(3841)

$31.85

Question:

I have a 27 ft travel trailer with a hitch weight of 687 lbs. The trailer itself weighs around 6500 lbs. I need to extend my hitch length about 6 to 8 inches to accommodate my truck tailgate being down due to me hauling a motorcycle in the truck bed. When the tailgate is down, it hits the power jack head on my trailer. It looks like your hitch extender is great as far as towing capacity 10,000 lbs. However, the hitch weight is rated at 400lbs which is short of the travel trailers hitch weight of 687 lbs. My trailer is a 27 ft Coachman is not that heavy and almost all the trailers I have researched have hitch weights that exceed 400lbs. Just wondering if Im not understanding how this works or just missing something and your hitch will work with my trailer? Thanks for your help!

asked by: Ed K

Expert Reply:

I have a solution for you, but the Roadmaster Anti-Rattle Hitch Extender for Tow Bars - 2" Hitches - 7-3/4" Extension, # RM-071-1075, is designed to be used in flat towing applications. When flat towing a vehicle behind an motorhome there is less tongue weight on the hitch than when you are towing a trailer. That's why the Roadmaster hitch extender has a low tongue weight rating and should not be used in trailer applications.

I recommend using a ball mount with a longer shank, like the Curt Ball Mount 3/4" Rise or 2" Drop, Extra Long, # D-26. The distance from the center pin hole to the center of the ball hole measures 12-5/8 inches long. An extend ball mount will give you more clearance without lowering your tongue weight of your hitch.

There is an issue when using hitch extenders with receiver hitches. Using an extender will reduce your tongue weight capacity by 50 percent. An extension like the Curt Hitch Extender for 2" Trailer Hitches - 14" Long
# C45795, if used with a hitch with a 700 lbs tongue weight, will reduce the tongue weight to 350 lbs. Now being that your trailer tongue weight is at 687 lbs, using an extension will not work for you.

I have attached a link to all of the extended ball mounts that we carry for you to review as well as a video of the Curt ball mount I recommended.

expert reply by: Jared P