Can 24 Inch Hitch Extender Be Used With Yakima FullSwing Bike Rack
Published 11/27/2019
Question:
I have a 2012 Ford F-150 short box 5.5 ft, and haul a 2020 Travel Lite 800X truck camper. The camper hangs about 3 inches off the back of the tailgate. I’m looking for a hitch extended to connect our Yakima Fullswing 4 bike rack. Would this hitch extender support the weight of the bike rack + bikes? We need 24” clearance from the hitch, so we’d likely cut this extended down if it will work.
asked by: Katie
Helpful Expert Reply:
I have a better and less expensive solution than using the Titan hitch box extension you proposed. If you were to install a front mounted hitch like # 65061 on the vehicle, you'd easily be able to carry the bikes.
Yakima specifically states in the owner's manual/installation instructions that a hitch extender shouldn't be used with their bike racks. The FullSwing weighs about 60 lbs, plus it'll handle 4 bikes weighing up to 160 lbs for a possible total of 220 lbs. This is already putting a good amount of leverage on the hitch receiver, but for each inch that receiver tube is extended, the downward leverage applied to the hitch increases quickly. Add to that the fact that an extender is not a 100 percent rigid connection that will allow some bounce, and it's a sure thing that the hitch will get bent likely resulting in the loss of the bikes. Additionally, the # RP45292 is designed for a 2-1/2 inch hitch, and your F150 would have a 2 inch hitch, so it wouldn't be compatible.
Continue Researching
- Shop: Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
- Shop: Front Mount Hitch
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Q&A: Front Mounted Receiver for 2018 GMC Sierra 3500 Denali Diesel
- Q&A: Ground Clearance of Curt Front Hitch Installed on 2018 Chevy Silverado 3500
- Q&A: Front Mount Hitch for 2018 GMC Sierra 2500
- Shop: Yakima StepUp Swing Away Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount
- Shop: Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class V Commercial Duty - 2-1/2"
- Shop: RockyMounts MonoRail Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount
- Shop: Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class V Commercial Duty - 2-1/2"
- Shop: Curt Class 5 Universal Weld-on Hitch w/ Brackets - 2-1/2" Receiver - 44" Wide
- Q&A: Recommendation for Towing a Trailer with a Hitch Extension
- Shop: Swagman Trailhead RV Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 2" Hitches
- Q&A: Curt Trailer Hitch Fit on 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 With Factory Hitch
- Q&A: Can the Yakima HangTight Bike Rack Be Tilted with Bikes Loaded or Be Used with a Swing Away Arm
- Q&A: Which Class V Hitch for 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 has the Best Ground Clearance
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Search Results: trailer hitch
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Search Results: trailer wiring
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Search Results: trailer tires and wheels
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Video: Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness Review C56040
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Search Results: trailer hitch ball mount
- Shop: Gooseneck Hitch
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
on Hitch Adapters
