Effects of Using Hitch Adapters on Hitch Towing Capacity

Updated 06/19/2018 | Published 06/15/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Malone 2" Dual Purpose Hitch Receiver

(200)

$134.95

2" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 7,500 lbs

(1358)

$12.62

Brophy Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 3/4" Rise, 2" Drop - 13-1/4" Long - 10K

(282)

$83.02

Curt Extender for 2" Hitch Receivers -18" Long

(239)

$92.07

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.

expert reply by: Adam R