Hitch extender reducing hitch capacity

[Kevin80]

Let me start off by saying that yes, I have a basic understanding of why you'd want to lighten a load if it were moved further away from a set point, but in my case, I will actually be moving the load closer but I will be using an extender.

My travel trailer has a Curt hitch installed (#13704) and I was using a Curt cargo carrier (#18153), both rated for 500 lbs (I use the hitch strictly for the cargo carrier). With that set-up the front end of the carrier is ~19 inches from the hitch pin hole but supposedly (and maybe this is where the "rub" is), that set-up is rated for 500 lbs.

I am getting a new cargo carrier/bike rack combo that has ~6 inches from the hole to the front of the carrier, and that will barely clear the trailer, so I was going to get a 6-8" extender. In the end the load will be max. ~14 inches (6" for the carrier tube and max. 8" extender) from the hitch pin hole, so 5" closer than the previous set-up, but everything I see says the extender reduces the capacity of the hitch by 50%.

Obviously if I used my original cargo carrier with an extender, that would make sense, but the new set-up will have the load CLOSER to the hitch, so I don't understand the blanket statement regarding the 50% reduction.

Or, and this is the "rub" I mentioned, is the hitch rated for 500 lbs but only for a set distance, meaning my previous set-up may actually have been OVER spec.

I never had close to 500 lbs on it, and probably won't get near 250 lbs (new carrier is only rated for 300 lbs of cargo), but I was hoping someone could explain why, or is it just a generic statement that may not actually apply in all situations?

Thanks!!

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Kevin80

snip...... Or, and this is the "rub" I mentioned, is the hitch rated for 500 lbs but only for a set distance....snip

Yes......, like a TV's OEM receiver hitch the Weight Carrying/Weight Distribution ratings are based at the receiver's pin box..., thus incorporating a hitch-extender will negatively effect the OEM receiver's weight ratings.

Bob

[Kevin80]

Makes sense but I guess I’m just surprised that I saw the “reduced capacity” warning everywhere with extenders and there was no mention of it (that I saw anyway) with the ~19 inch shanked cargo carrier that in the end will have the load further away from the box. 🤷🏼*♂️😬

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Kevin80

snip...... no mention of it (that I saw anyway) with the ~19 inch shanked cargo carrier that in the end will have the load further away from the box. ����*♂️��

Good point...., and I would agree that the carrier depending on load placement would have some notable rating effect.

Bob