Will Using A Hitch Extender Only Reduce The Tongue Weight By 50%

Updated 01/21/2025 | Published 01/20/2025

Question:

Hello I have a question about hitch extenders. Im going to tow a 20foot enclosed cargo trailer GVW 10,000lbs it only has a 3 foot tongue. Im going to tow it with my Class A Coach with a hitch rated for 10,000 lbs , Im concerned about turning to sharp with the short trailer hitch . I was wondering about adding this extension on your site Part GY89SR. If I go this option , I think it says it will reduce the hitch load capacity or tongue weight by 50 ? So If im understanding it correctly, by using this extension , I can still load trailer to max GVW 10K, but tongue weight has to be kept at 500lbs roughly?

asked by: John K

Expert Reply:

Hey John,

The Gen-Y Hitch Receiver Hitch Extender for 2" Trailer Hitches # GY89SR would reduce both the tongue weight and gross towing weight capacity of the motorhome's trailer hitch by 50% to 5k towing/500lb TW, leaving you unable to tow the trailer. You would need to upgrade the hitch on your motorhome in order to use an extension that wouldn't reduce the capacity.

What's the year/make/full model # of the motorhome?

expert reply by: Kevin C

John K.

1/20/2025

Thanks Kevin the Motorhome is a 2006 Monaco Signature Series , with a tag axle

Kevin C.

1/20/2025

@JohnK What is the model number?

John

1/20/2025

@KevinC model - Chateau IV , with a 600hp Cummins & allison 4000 series transmission

Kevin C.

1/21/2025

@John There unfortunately isn't a custom-fit TorkLift SuperHitch for that chassis so at this point you'd be looking at custom work to get a hitch with a high enough capacity to take that 50% reduction in capacity and still have enough capacity to tow your trailer. A stacked receiver like Gen-Y's # 325-GH-523 could give you roughly a foot of extension without costing you capacity. I know it's not as much as some extenders but it's at least something to give you more turning clearance with the trailer and has multiple receiver tubes so that you can mount multiple accessories. This is a super common way to flat tow a vehicle and haul a bike rack at the same time. There are other drop/rise sizes available if this doesn't give you enough of a separation between the two accessories. Let me know what you think.