Hitch Reducer and Hitch Extender Effects on Hitch Capacity

Updated 12/17/2018 | Published 12/15/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Draw-Tite Hitch Extender for 2" Hitch Receivers - 18" Long

(171)

$52.75

Hitch Adapter 2" to 1-1/4" Trailer Hitch Receiver - 7" Long

(223)

$39.20

2" Hitch Ball - 3/4" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Stainless Steel - 3,500 lbs

(334)

$36.80

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"

(37)

$257.52

Curt Hitch Receiver Reducer Sleeve - 2-1/2" to 2"

(583)

$33.95

Curt Class II Drawbar - 2-5/8" Rise, 3-1/4" Drop - 7-1/4" Long - 3,500 lbs

(2273)

$49.70

Hitch Reducer 2" to 1-1/4" Trailer Hitch Receiver

(251)

$79.86

Question:

I need to add an adapter so I can tow a trailer with a 2inch receiver with my 1 1/4inch hitch. Can you recommend an adapter that will not reduce the towing capacity or a way of compensating for this with a reducer or something else? or maybe replacing my hitch with a standard 2? I have a 2005 Mini Cooper convertible. Thanks!

asked by: Cheryl R

Expert Reply:

For your 2005 Mini Cooper convertible only a light-duty 1-1/4-inch Class I hitch is offered, the Curt model # C11126, which fits the non-S-Series convertible version.

But if the trailer you want to tow has a 2-inch coupler, this just means that it requires a 2-inch hitch ball like # A-82 which will work in ball mount # C45521. This is the recommend ball mount for the Curt Class I hitch. You do not need any sort of adapter to use a 2-inch hitch ball on your Mini.

In cases when a hitch is larger than the accessory item that will be mounted inside it we do offer reducer sleeves. Part # C45405 reduces a 2-1/2-inch hitch to a 2-inch and part # HT02 reduces a 2-inch receiver opening down to a 1-1/4-inch. Neither of these adapters reduces hitch capacity.

Certain other types of adapters, the extender type like # 80300 that move the load further from the hitch, DO reduce hitch capacity by 50% but reducer sleeves like # 58102 and # HT02 do not.