What Extended Ball Mount Can I Use with a 2-1/2" Receiver to Increase Turning Clearance?

Updated 07/06/2026 | Published 06/29/2026

Products Featured in This Question

Weigh Safe Hitch w/ Built-In Scale for 2.5" Hitch, 10" Drop/11" Rise, 18.5K, Aluminum

(125)

$409.00

Gen-Y 2-Ball Mount for 2-1/2" Hitch Receivers - 2-5/16" and 2" Balls

(129)

$169.95

Gen-Y Torsion 2-Ball Mount - 2-1/2" Hitch - 3" Rise/6" Drop - 21K

(138)

$917.03

Question:

I have a 2024 GMC 2500 Sierra Denali that I use a s 1/2 inch WS95ZR hitch to tow a small vintage trailer 1947 Aero Flite Falcon. Unfortunately the tongue is so short I have very little turn radius without hitting the trailer. The trailer weighs about 3000 lbs and has a 500 lb tongue weight. I am looking for a receiver shank extender to position the trailer further back. Is a such a receiver shank extension a solution? If so, can you recommend what I might purchase? I contacted the Weigh Folks and they said they do not have a receiver shank extender, but I should be able to find one online, but I cannot seem to find anything. Thanks for any info you can give!

asked by: Peter Z

Expert Reply:

Happy to help Peter,

I wouldn't recommend using a hitch extender because it reduces the hitch's towing capacity. If you're simply looking to gain additional turning clearance, an extended ball mount is the better solution.

if you have a 2" hitch just let me know but I chose these based off the Weigh Safe Ball Mount # WS95ZR you were looking at.

Extended shank ball mounts for a 2-1/2" receiver:

# 325-GH-064 – Fixed Gen-Y 2-ball mount with a 12-1/2" pin to ball length.
# 325-GH-1324 – Adjustable Gen-Y torsion ball mount with a 16" pin to ball length and up to a 6" rise/drop.

I looked the trailer up and now I'm curious, what’s the story behind your 1947 Aero Flite?

expert reply by: James D