Hitch Extenders

[Tigertown]

Hey All,
So I have issue with hauling my golf cart in my 2006 ram 2500. It has the 6'2" bed length and when loaded the rear tires on the cart sits just on the tailgate. So I need to leave my tailgate on when it's loaded. I was looking at hitch extenders around 18" to get the ball from under the tailgate. I have the 2021 28BHS trailer. Thoughts and or issues with using hitch extender in order to keep my tailgate down and pull camper.

[Midnightmoon]

The problem with the hitch extenders is that they often drastically reduce hitch capacity. Doing a quick search, I could only find those that were limited to 3500-4000 lb trailer weight and 350-400 lb tongue weight. Someone may be aware of another, more robust product. But, I couldn't find anything with a quick search.

[Scott]

Maybe try a longer shank on your WDH? But watch out to make sure your chains will still reach the hitch too.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

The problem with the hitch extenders is that they often drastically reduce hitch capacity.....snip

X2...., and they also reduce the capacity ratings of the TV's receiver hitch.

The specified TV receiver ratings are based at the receiver pin box, the specified receiver ratings 'decrease' the further the hitch ball is from the receiver pin box.

I'm not a fan of hitch extenders mainly because they influence unwanted flexing while in-tow, and effect a WDH's functionality.

Bob

[PaulB12]

Originally Posted by Tigertown

Hey All,
So I have issue with hauling my golf cart in my 2006 ram 2500. It has the 6'2" bed length and when loaded the rear tires on the cart sits just on the tailgate. So I need to leave my tailgate on when it's loaded. I was looking at hitch extenders around 18" to get the ball from under the tailgate. I have the 2021 28BHS trailer. Thoughts and or issues with using hitch extender in order to keep my tailgate down and pull camper.

2001 Ford Excursion, all I've had is a hitch extender,able to use my barn doors.
Trailers pulled:
27 foot Award, 5000 lbs., 500 tongue wt
27 foot tt(forgot brand), 11,000 lbs., 1100 tongue
Above with a reese anti sway
31foot forest River, 8200 lbs, 800 tongue
23 foot Jayco, 6500 lbs, 600 tongue
Above two towed with Equal-I-zer anti sway
18 inch shank, works for me.
PaulB12

[Jagiven]

What wdh do you have,?

I did a quick search on etrailer and saw Equalizer has an 18" shank. Sure other brands have them too.

[windywy]

I had the same problem with a rack that for my 4 wheelers that extended beyond my box. I ended up with a Hensley hitch and it solved my problem. They are kinda spendy though.

[Camper_bob]

IMO, it would be best to get a longer shank.

I did the same with my old rig so I could drop the tailgate and have full access to the items in the bed.

As was said, make sure you have enough safety chain.

As the others said, I would not recommend an extender...

[PaulB12]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

What wdh do you have,?

I did a quick search on etrailer and saw Equalizer has an 18" shank. Sure other brands have them too.

I have the equal I zer.
Blue ox also has 18 inch shank

[Tigertown]

Thanks All!


I was able to find a 18" shank that works with my Fastway e2 hitch. Just waiting on it to come in. Then to make chains are long enough.

[WiseOwl]

I need to extend my hitch by an inch or 2 so my rear hatch Door clears my Trailer power lift. Is there a safe way of doing this. I am pulling 5000 lb trailer with WD system. TV is rated for 6000 lb with tongue weight rating of 900 lbs.

Bon Voyage!

[JFlightRisk]

The safest way would to be to get a new hitch head with a longer shank. Check on your manufacturers website to see if they offer such a thing.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by WiseOwl

I need to extend my hitch by an inch or 2 so my rear hatch Door clears my Trailer power lift. Is there a safe way of doing this. I am pulling 5000 lb trailer with WD system. TV is rated for 6000 lb with tongue weight rating of 900 lbs.

Bon Voyage!

I agree with JFlightRisk on this one, best/easiest/fastest way would be to install a longer shank.

There is a chance you could rotate the power tongue jack to get a little clearance. Depends on the model you have. Mine wouldn't rotate without drilling new mounting holes, and it still would have been close then, so I went with longer shank.

You might try detaching the jack and playing with it to see if you can get it to work. If not, just get a longer shank. Just make sure you're prepared to lengthen/replace your chains.

[Duke4857]

Just thinking. A longer shank or a hitch extender will put the trailer farther back. The farther from the rear tires the more leverage the trailer has to flex the tire sidewalls. The extra sidewall flex might create a sway problem where there was not one before. Only a geometry person could figure out the extra stress. I also have thought about a hitch extender. I did buy a 8" extender for the front hitch so I could put the wench in the front hitch. That same extender would also let me open the tailgate on the pickup if I put it back there while pulling. It cuts down the GTW a long way so I have never used it in the back. https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Adapt...rt/C45791.html

[oldmanjim]

So how did the new 18" shank work out? I wonder if you have a 2" or 2-1/2" receiver?

[oldmanjim]

Originally Posted by Tigertown

Thanks All!


I was able to find a 18" shank that works with my Fastway e2 hitch. Just waiting on it to come in. Then to make chains are long enough.

So was just wondering how this worked out for you??

[jbrnigan]

Have you considered towing your cart behind your trailer? I have a hitch on my 29RKS and pull my cart on utility trailer a few times a year......FWIW