9'6" Camper-Do you NEED an extension to tow?

I was torn between a 2.5 hitch and extension and a longer ball mount. I think you can get by with a longer drop ball mount, but it will of course make hooking up a little bit harder, potentially.

I went with the 2.5 hitch and extension mainly do to the increased stress on the hitch if ball mount is extended and reading about hitch failures. The other bonuse of the 2.5 extension is the ability to use a hitch carrier easily if you need to carry a bit more and don't have the trailer along.

newman fulltimer wrote:
Hook it up in a sharp turn steep incline position if you clear your good

Ditto. The main thing is you want to make sure you can't jack-knife going forward.

I am very interested in this.

I had a 10' camper for 10 years, used an unsupported 2' extension with a 14' cargo trailer, and had 2 cracks in the system.

One in the extension, one in the receiver. I had both rebuilt stronger, and no further problems, but I never was truly comfortable again.

My new camper is 9', and has no bumper, so nearly 2' shorter.

So I can tow without an extension. I like that.

I am considering cutting my 2' extension to 1' though, as it makes a good step, and more jackknife ability is a good thing.

Joe

I think you'll need some sort of extension. If you hook it up straight it will probably hit on turns and uneven roads. No more tongue weight than you have most any inexpensive extension bar should work. I don't think you'll need a Superhitch or anything like that.

Hook it up in a sharp turn steep incline position if you clear your good

I'd say you might be a bit tight - it may work on a straight pull, but not while turning. Your tongue weight is probably fairly light - you may be able to get by with just a Class III (2") 12" extension, possibly an 18", that should give you some more space.

I just got an AF992, and with the bumper and Fox landing, I'm going to need a 32" extension to tow any trailer, up to and including a 3-horse slant grossing 12k lbs. $uperhitch territory.

- Clay