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hrose's avatar
hrose
Explorer
Jul 21, 2017

hitch extenders on oem hitch ?

Hey guys,

I got a 2017 f350 drw and a AF1140

Id like to buy a 6'×12' trailer to carry my 6x6 and some gear, around 3000# max. (Not counting the trailer)

I read that a lot of people change their oem hitch for a torklift 30k
And use it with the supertruss.

What i want to tow isnt that heavy so im not sure if i really need it.

Is my hitch strong enough ?

Thx
  • You won't need a Super Hitch. The hitches on the 2017 models are designed to carry more weight than the previous generation. I had a 20k Super Hitch on my previous Super Duty and it was way overkill for what I am hauling. I have 12ft trailer I haul my ATV's on along with coolers, firewood etc. and I did not need a Super Hitch. Besides that, the Super Hitch weighed 175 lbs and the Super Truss Extension weighed 70 lbs.
    With my new truck I got a Reese 2 1/2 inch extension that goes down to 2 inch which is 34 inches and it has a carry weight of 4500 lbs and a 450 lb tongue weight. Depending on how long you need, that same extension at 24 inches has a 6000 lb carry weight and 600 lb tongue weight.
    It is so much easier to deal with than the Super Truss extension besides not having to give up all that weight. It was a heck of a lot cheaper to just have to get the Reese extension as well.
    Below is the url to the one I have:
    http://www.reeseprod.com/products/hitch-accessories/other-accessories/trailer-hitch-extension/hxyNMzUEThezO4ZpzhR4RkMsE576VeBN
  • You are probably going to need at least a 36" extension. I'm not able to find a 3" one. I'm assuming you have a 3" hitch.

    It would be better to go with a Super Hitch or similar since your TC is so long. The problem is you will be putting a lot of extra leverage on the hitch. Who knows how much it is designed to take.

    That being said, I towed a 4000lb trailer with a 18" extension for one trip. If you plan to do it all of the time, I think it's worth the cost of the upgrade.
  • For your load, an 18-24" would probably work well. But if you need a 30" or greater, I would want a stronger extension. It isn't the static load but the dynamic load of the tongue bouncing that the hitch must be able to with stand. The longer the hitch, the quicker the movement exponentially increases.
  • A lot of the locals buy the newer Ford 2.5" receivers for our older Superduty's, and then run 18-24" 2.5 extensions and tow jeeps with them, with no problems at all.
  • T.L. makes smaller hitches, besides the magnum 20 k, 25 k.
  • My 2017 F350 has 3" hitch. I just bought 3 feet of 3x3 tubing for extension. I bought the heavy tubing, so have some sanding to do to make 2.5 adapter fit.
    By calculation it will be stronger than Supertruss
  • The Supertruss is a great hitch but I think completely unnecessary for a little trailer like that. I used to have a Reese 48" extension in my Chevy's factory 2.5" hitch. I pulled a 4,500 pound boat and a 5,000 pound cargo trailer with no problems (not at the same time). I was under the rating of the hitch. If you never plan on pulling anything any heavier I'd just get a regular extension like a Reese. Just watch all the ratings stickers and make sure you're within what it's built for.
  • I have a Flatbed with a hitch on it, reportedly a Class V, but doubtful.
    I was planning on getting a Super Hitch, but there would have been to many mods to make it work with Flatbed.

    That being said, I have 24" stinger/extender and was towing my 6x12' open trailer with a Buggy, ACE 900 plus additions krap in the front. Probably, just a WAG here, 2500# or so.
    Not sure if that helps, I would 'Think' the F350 hitch would be enough? but I don't run the figures so don't really know.

    Worked fine, no problems.