How Much Does Hitch Extender Reduce Tongue Weight Capacity

Question:

Hi. So I have an 06 Dodge 2500 diesel short bed with a full length light weight pop up camper 4 wheel brand on it with a beefed up air bag suspension. I want to get a hitch mounted bike rack 1 up brand with a Rak Attach swing arm. Since its a full length camper on a short bed, the hitch is basically the width of the tail gate back under the the camper. I figure Ill need about a 16 in extender to make the swing arm and rack clear the back of the camper. So it looks like Im going to have to go with either an 18 inch or 14 inch better extender depending on how much extra length the swing arm gives me. My question is this: will I be OK with my tongue weight with either one of those options? The maximum weight that would ever be on there would be about 285 to 290 lbs. That's the swing arm, rack and bikes...doesnt include the weight of the extender itself. Thank you.

asked by: Gunnar C

Expert Reply:

The answer is actually pretty simple, because using any type of hitch adapter, including a hitch extender, reduces the capacity of your trailer hitch by 50 percent, and that includes both the towing capacity and the tongue weight capacity.

I am not certain what the tongue weight capacity of the hitch on your 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 is, but using the Curt Hitch Extender for 2" Trailer Hitches - 14" Long # C45795 or the Curt Hitch Extender for 2" Receivers -18" Long # C45796 will reduce that capacity by half.

However, since you mentioned the tongue weight would be under 300 lbs I imagine you will be fine because the aftermarket trailer hitches that fit your truck all have tongue weight ratings that are over that range.

For example, the Draw-Tite Ultra Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver # 41929 has a 1,200 lb tongue weight capacity so you only need to verify what your hitch tongue weight capacity is to find out if you will be able to safely use a hitch extender. I have added a link to a video review of the Curt extenders for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Kyle S