Can Longer Ball Mount/Extender be Used Instead of Tongue Extender on Yakima Rack'n'Roll Trailer

Updated 09/04/2018 | Published 09/02/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Yakima Rack and Roll Trailer - 78"

(91)

$2598.95

Tongue Extension Kit for Yakima Rack and Roll Trailer

(20)

$245.15

Question:

Why can’t a hitch extender or longer ball mount be used rather than the $170. Yakima tongue extension for an 18 ft. Kayak?

asked by: Bill

Expert Reply:

You could use a hitch extender or a longer ball mount with the Yakima Rack'n'Roll trailer # Y08107. However there are a couple of issues. First, a hitch extender will reduce the tongue weight capacity of the hitch by 50 percent. this may not be an issue though considering the trailer is rated for just 250 pounds.

Depending on the length needed though there may not be an extension long enough. The same goes for a longer ball mount; at least if used by itself. The longest fixed ball mount is about 16 inches. By comparison the tongue extension # Y08109 is 3 feet long.

If your boats are 17 or 18 feet long then a longer ball mount or an extension would be sufficient. But any longer than that and I strongly advise using the tongue extension.

expert reply by: Michael H