How Can Longer Ball Mount Not Reduce Hitch Weight Capacity
Published 11/28/2022
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Question:
I have a 2016 Toyota Tundra, 5.7L, 4wd, tow package, and my owners manual tells me that if the tongue weight of my trailer is greater than 500 lbs I need to use a WDH. I understand that hitch extensions increase the torque at the fulcrum, or the receiver hitch, on the TV. An extension is an extension whether its a solid bar or a combination of bars. I read from your QandA a question asked about the tongue weight capacity, or MTW of a vehicle, and using an extender hitch. The expert answer, answered by Jameson C, said an extended hitch would not reduce the vehicle towing capacity. Towing capacity and a vehicle MTW are two different things. An extension multiplies torque forces behind the rear axle of a vehicle. If a cars specs stipulate the Maximum Tongue Weight is 350 lbs, and the tongue weight of a trailer is 350 lbs, and an 18inch or 24inch extension is used, then how can the MTW of the vehicle not be exceeded when the vehicle is going over rough roads? Since vehicle manufacturers have provided stress specs on their vehicle tow weights and hitch capacities, how is it that your answer is correct? Ive provided a picture showing the bent frame of a Chevrolet Colorado with a trailer that did not have a great deal of tongue weight. The torque forces of the trailer tongue at the coupling exceeded the vehicle design specs. The Greek philosopher Archimedes once said, “Give me a firm place to stand and a lever and I can move the Earth.” Any extension of a hitch constitutes a longer lever, which multiplies force as the lever is lengthened. Please clarify your answer. https://www.etrailer.com/question-524568.html?
asked by: Ray
Expert Reply:
Technically any additional length is going to increase leverage on the trailer hitch. But there isn't an exact standard length ball mount so going super technical on how much the force multiplied when the ball mount is beyond a certain length is just not something our manufacturers do. So when you combine that with fact that most ball mounts are not that much longer than others the tongue weight capacity of a vehicle is not reduced when using a longer ball mount like the part # 80232. Now with a weight distribution system the additional length is easily offset by the spring bar tension that moves some of the tongue weight up to the front axle of the tow vehicle. So long story short it's somewhat of a gray area with a few guidelines that work basically all the time.
So if you were to use a hitch extender like # C45791 that adds not only length but also additional movement into the setup the generally accepted guideline is that you have to cut the hitch capacity by 50 percent.
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