What are the thoughts on hitch extenders? I only need an inch to gain clearance on my 2015 Jeep Wrangler so I can flip my hitch up for my 174BH Baja... Either that or take my spare tire off... Which would be the preferred method? I can put my spare in the back of the Jeep but then it'd be ugly... I know I want the ball as close as it can get to the TV but I don't feel I have much choice here...
Here is another thought I have... I have about 6-8 inches of material behind the hitch pin... Since I only need 1 extra inch of clearance, how about I take my stuff to a machine shop, have them drill a hole 1.5 - 2 inches back in the hitch to set it back just where I need it... That way I won't need extensions or new chains, etc...?
You could. I've seen shafts with more than one hole. It depends on how much shaft is left behind it. There's physics in play here, weight vs the stress on the shaft and what it's rated for. Personally I'd feel safer just popping the $100 or so on a new shank.
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Chuck
2013 Jayco Jayfeather X20 E (sold)
2016 Chevy Silverado LTZ 2 Z71 Crew Cab (sold, and dearly missed)
I think that's the route I will take... Seems the better plan... That material is just sticking out of the front of the receiver anyways so it isn't playing much of a role other than dead weight...
I'll get a hold of a machine shop I work with at work all the time and see how much they'll charge me...
I have been searching a while for a new shank and it's hard to find the exact one... Either too long or too short or whatnot...
I've drilled many drawbars. Did one for exactly the same reason you need to do it when I had my Wrangler. Never a problem as long as you use common sense. An extended drawbar will reduce the capacity of your hitch but I can't imagine 1" will matter unless you are right on the edge anyway.