Recommended Extended Ball Mount or Hitch Extender for Towing Boat Trailer

Question

Question:

Further looking, Why did you not recommend Reese Class III RP21141 or TK5007 for my Tahoe? The RP21141 description only says Long Shank, I assume long enough, also description does not indicate Stud on Ball Diameter

asked by: RANDALL G

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

For your 2018 Tahoe and boat trailer needing a longer extension between them I recommend the Brophy Ball Mount for 2" Hitch - 3/4" Rise, 2" Drop - 13-1/4" Long - 10,000 lbs # BM20. Having a longer ball mount like this will not reduce the capacity of your hitch at all. This will give you a length of 13-1/4 inches from the center of the ball to the hitch pin hole.

For a compatible hitch ball the shank needs to be 1 inch diameter for this mount. I recommend the 2 inch ball # 40038 or 2-5/16 inch ball # C40007.

expert reply by: Jason S

1

Randall

2/6/2018

Thanks, (So Far) But the Tahoe is also significantly taller, and it required replacing my Ball Mount with one with a 4 Inch Drop. Answer this, I am towing with no problem, just cannot raise hatch. Why is the extension rated higher with load distribution equipment? I am thinking of just buying the HE06 Extension. I need 4 inches between Hitch Pin Holes, it is the shortest one you carry that I find and has 7 3/8 inches between centers. Big Thank You in advance!

Jason S.

12/6/2018

Okay, since you need a 4 inch drop that extended mount won't work. The Hitch Extender For 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver 7" # HE06 you mentioned is rated for higher capacities when using weight distribution because the WD systems distribute the tongue weight of the trailer so there isn't the same pressure at the connection location. The issue here is it will still reduce the capacity of the hitch by 50% of its rated tongue weight. Since it is a boat trailer, weight distribution isn't a great option. The # HE06 extension won't handle the tongue weight of your trailer and the Blue Ox Hitch Extender for Tow Bars # BX88265 is rated for more weight but is not to be used for towing a trailer. One more option is to use the Curt Weight Distribution Shank - 10" Long # 17120 along with the Ball Mount Adapter for Convert-A-Ball Cushioned Weight Distribution Shank # BA-1. This will give you the drop, distance, and strength you need. This is the option I recommend. Then you just need pins # CABPN-2 and hitch ball # 63845 or # C40007.

Randall

12/7/2018

Further looking, Why did you not recommend Reese Class III RP21141 or TK5007 for my Tahoe? The RP21141 description only says Long Shank, I assume long enough, also description does not indicate Stud on Ball Diameter

Jason S.

12/7/2018

Great question...I simply missed those options. The Reese Adjustable Ball Mount - 5,000 lb # RP21141 will work well for you. I added the measurements in a photo showing that it will work well for you. The Convert-A-Ball Adjustable Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 9" Rise to 10-1/4" Drop - 5,000 lbs # TK5007 would also work but will have an even longer shank and a deeper drop. Another option is the MaxxTow Adjustable-Height Ball Mount - 2" Hitch - 7-1/2" Drop, 6-1/4" Rise - 5,000 lb # MT70068 which is 13-3/8 inches from pin hole to center of ball. All of these options use the hitch ball # 63845 for 2 inch or # C40007 for 2-5/16 inch diameter ball.

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Recommended Extended Ball Mount or Hitch Extender for Towing Boat Trailer

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