Just figgered out that my hitch shank is a bit too short. Nose cap on trailer hits the tail lights on the truck in tight turns. (Barely, just scratched not smashed, lol)What I can’t find readily is a short 2.5” x 2.5” extension. Plenty of reducers, adapters and long 2.5” extensions, but nothing in a short 6-8” overall extension. Anyone else bought one? Where?Caveat just looked online. Haven’t hit up any trailer/truck shops yet.

At 6-8" extension, you do not have room to install the shank in the "extended" part if your intent is to maintain 2.5". What I did, was buy a 24" long Curt "weldable receiver tube", stuck it in my 2.5" receiver at the extension I needed (was about 12"), and marked the pin hole. Drilled on the drill press. Welded 15,000lb rated D-rings on it for the safety chains (looks totally inappropriate when viewed from above, if you get my drift). Made up short safety chains to chain the extension to the receiver, which you probably won't need for only 6-8". Painted with black epoxy appliance enamel.I use a standard 2" shank in the extension, and the extension goes in the 2-1/2" receiver.Another option presented to me was Brophy makes/made an extended shank, about 6" longer than a standard shank. BH-20 was the part number for the 2" version.

Thanks mkirsch!And lol on the appearance of your twig n berries extension!I’ve thought about fabricating one. Haven’t measured the min length needed to make it work like you were saying but doesn’t seem longer than what would work on 2” receivers. Even still, I haven’t even seen like 12” extensions for 2-1/2” hitches. Search continues. All else fails, a simple heavy duty drop shank would probably work, but I already bought this nice aluminum adjustable flip over ball stinger. And it only needs to be a few inches longer (lol again) to work w my trailer.

I did kind of what mkirsh did - except I used a piece of 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" x .250 wall, and sleeved it with 2" x 2" x .250 tubing held short to recieve a 2" hitch drawbar/shank. I button welded the sleeve. I reinforced the end with a welded band, dimensions copied from a "factory made" hitch reciever. I painted it black. If you can buy one close enough ready made that would be better. It took a bit of work to make.

^Thank you for the suggestion.Yeah, got tools and ability. Don’t got time, to fab a part that don’t cost much. Unless I can’t find one… then it’s worth it! Lol

Grit dog wrote:And lol on the appearance of your twig n berries extension!Hope you don't mind, I'm going to use that from here on out.

2-1/2” Hitch extension? | Good Sam Community

Grit_dog
Navigator
Oct 01, 2021
^No worries man! I’m just a little stumped as to why no one appears to make short hitch extensions for any of the larger truck hitch receivers.
BenK
Explorer
Oct 01, 2021
Hey Grit….da…you got me…hadn’t thought about that…
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 30, 2021
BenK wrote:
If me, just buy the shortest and cut it down to whatever length you need/want...drill new holes as needed

then paint it with zinc rich paint

That’s a good idea, but would still have to weld a reinforcing collar around the receiver end of the extension after cutting it down.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 30, 2021
Lynnmor wrote:
I guess that the Reese shank, that I linked to, wouldn't give you the length required?

Yessir I believe it would, thanks.
Maybe I didn’t explain, but I have a nice shiny new adjustable aluminum drop hitch that I’d prefer to use.
BenK
Explorer
Sep 30, 2021
If me, just buy the shortest and cut it down to whatever length you need/want...drill new holes as needed

then paint it with zinc rich paint
Lynnmor
Explorer
Sep 30, 2021
I guess that the Reese shank, that I linked to, wouldn't give you the length required?
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Sep 30, 2021
My mistake......

I just checked mine and it IS a 2"receiver extension.... NOT 2-1/2"
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 30, 2021
So, quick measurements on my receiver and stinger, and it would seem to be no issue to make an extension about 8” long. 6” wouldn’t quite work. And obviously anything longer would work fine.
Seems strange with the vast number of 2.5 and 3” hitch trucks that this product is not available. Of the 2 trailers I own and 1other that I tow sometimes with my personal truck, all would be mush more user friendly if separated from the ass and of the truck by a bit more.

Oh well, put it on the to do list I suppose. Haven’t researched tubing yet to see if I can build one with heavy enough tubing for the plug end of the extension so as not to need to get solid bar stock.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 24, 2021
Ha, just called Torklift here. He said 24" ext is the shortest he's ever seen, so I believe that could be considered final answer!

I need another project like a hole in my head, but gonna have to make one I suppose.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 24, 2021
Anyone know of a source for short 2.5” extension?
I even hit up the Fleet Farm last weekend when I was in Minnesoooota, no dice. 100 different hitch parts but not what I need.

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