Forum Discussion

a_flyfisher's avatar
a_flyfisher
Explorer
Mar 06, 2017

Trailer Hitch Questions

I plan on towing a relatively small trailer behind my truck after I buy a new Northern Lite truck camper this spring.

Mostly, I'd have my 16' drift boat, which probably weighs under 1,000#' for the boat and trailer combined, but from time to time I'd have my Polaris Ranger side by side, which I tow on a heavier 12' Triton trailer, and together they probably weigh closer to 2,500#, or maybe a bit more. The tongue weights on my boat trailer is probably around 100#', and around 250# on my other trailer, more or less.

My 2011 Ford Super Duty dually truck has Ford's OEM 2 1/2" receiver.

My question is would I have any trouble towing either of these trailers if I simply get a 24" - 36"' receiver extension for my Ford OEM receiver? I'd hate to think of needing to buy something like a Torklift Super Truss hitch system, if I can safely get by with something like a Titan receiver extension (rated for pin weights of 450# or more, depending on the receiver extension length) which costs around $200.00.

John
Truck Campers
  • a_flyfisher's avatar
    a_flyfisher
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2017
    jimh425 wrote:
    I would go with as short hitch extension as possible if you stay stock. In my case, I was able to go to 18" for my 9 1/2. If we are talking about 250-400 lb tongue weight for the heavy case, I don't think you'll need a Super Hitch.

    However, if you are planning on spending $200 any way, you might be ahead to go with a Super Hitch to eliminate any possibility that you will "waste" money in the future. You could always look for a used parts to drive down the cost.

    There was also a thread about extending trailer tongue length while back. That might be a possibility as well with an extended ball mount. It depends on how long of a Northern Lite you are looking at as well.


    I am getting the Northern Lite 10'2" model. I was hoping to get by with no more than a 34" extension. Do you, or anyone else, know whether that length of extension will be sufficient?
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Mar 07, 2017
    I would go with as short hitch extension as possible if you stay stock. In my case, I was able to go to 18" for my 9 1/2. If we are talking about 250-400 lb tongue weight for the heavy case, I don't think you'll need a Super Hitch.

    However, if you are planning on spending $200 any way, you might be ahead to go with a Super Hitch to eliminate any possibility that you will "waste" money in the future. You could always look for a used parts to drive down the cost.

    There was also a thread about extending trailer tongue length while back. That might be a possibility as well with an extended ball mount. It depends on how long of a Northern Lite you are looking at as well.
  • towpro's avatar
    towpro
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2017
    3 tons wrote:
    I have a 2016 Ram LB DRW, a Polaris RZR (and lots of other gear) in a 16'x7' enclosed trailer...I do this all the time with a forty or so inch 2.5" Reese extention, but I upgraded to a better Curt Commercial direct bolt on hitch good for 2,700# which is about 1,000# higher than factory 2.5" receiver...

    http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2016_Ram_3500.htm?style=&furl=-pm-Curt


    3 tons, is this the curt hitch that bolts to frame, where you install it leaving the factory hitch in place?
  • Geewizard's avatar
    Geewizard
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2017
    I towed my 18' river boat and 20' snowmachine trailer using a hitch extension. No problems at all.
  • kohldad's avatar
    kohldad
    Explorer III
    Mar 07, 2017
    The amount of weight the tongue will add to the rear axle can be simply calculated:

    R = rear axle weight added
    H = distance from ball to axle
    W = vehicle wheelbase
    T = tongue weight

    R = T ( 1 + H / W )

    If you have a typical long bed crew cab, even with a 36" extension, it will only be about 1.5 times the tongue weight.

    R = 250 * ( 1 + (36 + 36) / 168 ) = 250 * (1 + 72 / 168 ) = 250 * 1.4 = 350

    Measurements estimated to show an example.

    For those light of trailers, a 2-3' extension wouldn't be a concern at all.

    Just make sure the tongue has a very good coupler since the ball will be thrown up significantly going over bumps with it being that far behind the rear axle.
  • bigfootgrey's avatar
    bigfootgrey
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2017
    We tow a 16 ' Lund Alaskan with a 48" Titan extension without any problems. Tongue weight under 200 lbs.

    Bob & Cathy
  • a_flyfisher's avatar
    a_flyfisher
    Explorer
    Mar 06, 2017
    Thanks for your replies. It looks like I shouldn't have any issues at all with my drift boat, which Is exactly as I expected. I think I'll weigh everything after I get my camper loaded before worriying any more about towing the Polaris.

    John
  • HMS_Beagle's avatar
    HMS_Beagle
    Explorer
    Mar 06, 2017
    I have a 36" Curt extension in the 2 1/2" receiver on my F350, tows a 2200# sailplane trailer without any problem. Tongue weight is around 200#.
  • 3_tons's avatar
    3_tons
    Explorer III
    Mar 06, 2017
    I have a 2016 Ram LB DRW, a Polaris RZR (and lots of other gear) in a 16'x7' enclosed trailer...I do this all the time with a forty or so inch 2.5" Reese extention, but I upgraded to a better Curt Commercial direct bolt on hitch good for 2,700# which is about 1,000# higher than factory 2.5" receiver...

    http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2016_Ram_3500.htm?style=&furl=-pm-Curt

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