Will Trailer Hitch Mount Hitch Steps RHS2 Clear a Palomino Slide-in Camper in a Truck Bed

Updated 11/15/2013 | Published 11/14/2013

Products Featured in This Question

Hitch Stair with 2 Steps for 2" Trailer Hitches

(289)

$124.76

Brophy Hitch Extender with Step - 2" Hitches - 18" Long - 6-1/2" x 17" Platform

(12)

$172.02

Question:

Just ordered one of your two steps that connect to the hitch for my husband for Christmas. Now I am wondering if it will work. We have a 8 foot bed truck and bought a palomino 1500 slide in camper. It is 9 foot and extends 1 foot over the back. Will the stairs extend that far? I think this was something I should have asked my husband about before ordering and not made it a surprise. If this does not work what do you suggest that you have that would work?

asked by: Anne L

Expert Reply:

What you are going to want to do is wait until your husband is busy and then take a measurement on the truck and hitch. You will need to measure from the center of the hitch pin hole on the truck straight back to the distance required to clear the camper. If that measurement is less than 6-1/2 inches then the hitch stairs, # RHS2, will clear the obstruction.

If it will not then you have some options. You can use a hitch extender. However, keep in mind that using a hitch extender will reduce the tongue weight capacity of the hitch by 50 percent. So if the trailer hitch has a tongue weight capacity of 500 pounds, by using an extension and then the steps in the extension the tongue weight capacity is reduced to 250 pounds. There should be a sticker on the hitch that lists the tongue weight capacity.

We have numerous hitch extenders for 2 inch hitches and I have linked them to the right. Some of the extensions even have a step on them, like # MT70069 or # ST18.

expert reply by: Michael H