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Will Curt Hitch Extender Cut Hitch Tongue Weight Capacity by 50 Percent for Bike Rack  

Updated 08/03/2026 | Published 07/25/2026

Question:

I purchased the E trailer class three bolt on hitch for my Ford 2026 bronco. I’m using it for a bike rack. With my spare tire on the back I need to add an extension. I noticed you have an 8 inch extension. Will that cut my maximum tongue weight capacity from 350 pounds to 175 pounds? Please let me know before I order it

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Expert Reply:

Hey Buddy, yes if you use a hitch extension like the Curt # C76DR it will cut the tongue weight capacity of the hitch by 50 percent so yeah you would be limited to 175 lbs for the weight of your bikes and bike rack. What do your bikes and rack weigh? It's probably not an ideal solution but if you don't have the capacity you might consider a different bike rack with a longer shank.

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Jameson C
Sgd73 profile picture

Sgd73

7/31/2026

I concur with most of what Jameson said. However, getting a bike rack with a longer shank will not help. It still stresses the hitch twice as much because of the longer length. If the only thing on your hitch is the bike rack and bikes, an 8 inch extension will work fine for pavement driving. For off-road though, it will be a problem.

Jameson C. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Jameson C.

8/3/2026

@Sgd73 hitch extenders cut the hitch capacity but longer shank bike racks do not. Reason being extenders tend to add quite a bit more extension and also allow for quite a bit more movement as well.

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