The dealer told me today I would need to buy a $1,100 hitch set up to pull a cargo trailer behind a truck camper. This would be a class 5 hitch to replace the class 3 hitch on my truck and also a 48" extender bar. I saw the pictures of them. The total weight of what I would be pulling is 2,500# so my thinking is that the class 3 hitch on the back of my truck already along with the 48" extender bar to go into the 2 inch receiver would be all I would need. Is this correct?Also, if I really did need to replace my hitch then the $1,100 they want for a hitch and bar is a super high price.What did you all buy to be able to pull a cargo trailer like this with a truck camper?Your thoughts and experience are appreciated.Thanks.

How big is your camper?If it's long enough to require a 48" extension, there's no way I'd use an OEM hitch and that long of an extension tube due to the amount of leverage it will place on the factory hitch.I use a Torklift Superhitch, and 24" SuperTruss extension. Both did cost a small fortune, but not as much as most people paid because I have access to wholesale pricing on them.This is what I tow most of the time:

How much overhang is there of the camper between the receiver and rear of camper. You cannot use a standard extension even for 2500 pounds if it is too long.This is probably what they want you to install:Tork Lift

deltabravo wrote:How big is your camper?Disregard the question, I just saw your other thread:http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27186568.cfm

On a short bed truck, which I assume you have based on the fact you are looking at the 855S, an even longer extension than what I use will be required, (I have a loing bed truck and camper) hence the reason the dealer is saying 48". Definitely no way I'd use that on an OEM hitch, on a shortbed truck.Based on the floor length of the 855S, which says it to be 8'11", and putting that on your 6'6" shortbed truck, 48" of hitch extension seems a bit excessive based on my experience with the set up I am using:9'0" floor length of my Arctic Fox 811, which I have spaced back from the front of the truck bed about 3-4".24" Supertruss extension. Hauling my small trailer, I could easily use a 21" extension, which is the shortest one made.

that $1100 hitch can be found a lot cheaper via Ebay, Amazon, and a few online parts dealers. Don't pay retail! I think I was in the $6-700 range a few years ago.

How to pull cargo trailer behind a truck camper

33 Replies

Buzzcut1
Nomad II
Sep 19, 2013
The only way to fly. imho
K_Mac
Explorer
Sep 19, 2013
What price would you pay for your loved ones ?, or the other's around you on the highway?. Bite the bullet and go with TORKLIFT, hands down one of the BEST company's I've ever had to deal with. Their products can't be beat.Cheap is expensive I always say.
bjbear
Explorer
Sep 18, 2013
Boatycall wrote:
.....I'm one of the ones people hear about but never actually know - I had a factory Class V hitch fail.

I had a nice ski boat, about 4500lbs on a factory installed Reese Class 5 hitch running a 48" extension. One day I went in to Superhitch to have my Torklift tie downs installed, and they pointed out that the welds on the receiver had cracked and only had about 50% of the weld left holding it on.

....

I didn't even think twice about fix/re-weld vs. replace. I immediately had it removed and bought a new Superhitch.

meatwagon wrote:

I need to change my statement regarding oem hitch & ext. I just returned from a trip with the cargo trailer to find it sagging about 2", no cracked welds but it concerned me enough that I ordered a reese titan. Better to have to much hitch than try and squeak by. Glad I made it home safely and no harm was done to the load or ANY ONE ELSE ON THE ROAD!!!!!

Thanks Boatycall & meatwagon for sharing some real world experiences! Always better than "guestimates"

Using an extension in a receiver greatly reduces the capacity due to the leverage which magnifies the force on the bolts and welds.

I have estimated the de-rating of standard receivers based on the length of the extension. The following graph must only be used as a guideline as it is an estimate only, but it will give you some idea of what the maximum loading should be.

I have more info on using a hitch extension at http://www.visualsc.com/hitch_calc.htm. It includes a calculator to estimate the impact on your truck when you tow a trailer (increased axle and tire weights, etc.)
joe123
Explorer
Sep 18, 2013
why don't you have the trailer tongue extended instead, would be stronger and work with the hitch you already have.
mike_mck
Explorer
Sep 18, 2013
jefffoxsr wrote:
The dealer told me today I would need to buy a $1,100 hitch set up to pull a cargo trailer behind a truck camper. This would be a class 5 hitch to replace the class 3 hitch on my truck and also a 48" extender bar. I saw the pictures of them.

The total weight of what I would be pulling is 2,500# so my thinking is that the class 3 hitch on the back of my truck already along with the 48" extender bar to go into the 2 inch receiver would be all I would need.
Is this correct?

Also, if I really did need to replace my hitch then the $1,100 they want for a hitch and bar is a super high price.

What did you all buy to be able to pull a cargo trailer like this with a truck camper?

Your thoughts and experience are appreciated.

Thanks.

Jeff
I went with the Torkelift and 48" extension. As you will see I am all about overkill.
I bought mine off craigslist. Hitch, extension, and camper tiedowns $500.00.
Pics below show the 12K lb reese hitch and the 17500lb superhitch.
installed on my F550 and on truck with camper and trailer. Dry weight on trailer is 2700 lbs. Extended 48" hitch rating is 12500 lbs

My set up is a long bed and 11'3" camper with 48" extension. I am way under on cargo capacity, tongue weight and towing capacity with this set up. I don't even think about it.
Only you can decide what is right for you.
mooring_product
Explorer
Sep 18, 2013
I did a Curt Class V and a 34" Titan box extension. I pull a 2500lbs boat.

Untitled by MooringProduct, on Flickr
msiminoff
Explorer II
Sep 17, 2013
My opinion: Get yourself a SuperHitch and SuperTruss and don't look back.
I have never once heard anybody register a complaint about owning and using these two TorkLift products (except for maybe a little sniveling about the cost).
-Mark
meatwagon
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
meatwagon wrote:
I pull both a cargo trailer rated at 3500 lbs. loaded to 3000 lbs. and a boat trailer rated at 3500 lbs. loaded to 2900 lbs. with a stock class v hitch rated for 700 lbs. tounge weight and and 18" ext. , which is rated at 3500 lbs. I have not had any problems.

I need to change my statement regarding oem hitch & ext. I just returned from a trip with the cargo trailer to find it sagging about 2", no cracked welds but it concerned me enough that I ordered a reese titan. Better to have to much hitch than try and squeak by. Glad I made it home safely and no harm was done to the load or ANY ONE ELSE ON THE ROAD!!!!!
meatwagon
Explorer
Aug 27, 2013
I pull both a cargo trailer rated at 3500 lbs. loaded to 3000 lbs. and a boat trailer rated at 3500 lbs. loaded to 2900 lbs. with a stock class v hitch rated for 700 lbs. tounge weight and and 18" ext. , which is rated at 3500 lbs. I have not had any problems.
Grit_dog
Navigator III
Aug 27, 2013
Well 3 pages of responses and 5 dyas later, the OP hasn't even said what bed his truck has, length of camper, or anything..........