HELP PLEASE... Hitch and extension ?

[Miguel951]

Hello and thank you in advance for any input/ clarity you can provide. I have a 2003 F-250 W/ a 2K LB (dry) truck camper. I need a 3' extenion to be able to tow my 12' flatbed single-axle trailer and RZR XP41000 weighing around 3-3.5K LBS (guesstimate)

Currently, I have a factory 2" V5 hitch, max weight of 5K LBS/ 500 LBS TW or 12.5 LBS/1,250 LBS W/ weight distribution hitch. I do have a weight distribution hitch from my old toy hauler BTW and think I will be using it. I also have airbags and a sway bar in the rear (stock sway bar in front). I have no idea what the tongue weight is.

I want to keep this price conscious, wondering if I should just go with a 2" 36" extenion and make sure it has the chains and all that good stuff or if I should completely replace the hitch for a 2.5 or a dual hitch with the cross bar? I want to do it right and safe but not over the top if I dont have to. Any input would be appreciated.

[Grit_dog]

You’re still quite confused. Suffice it to say we will have to see this 10’ camper that’s made for a shortbed “with the tailgate down.”
Google rvnet photo posting and follow the link in a thread on this forum to post pics.
So how does it haul? You said you have the truck and camper. Presume it’s as light as you say? (See the doubt here?).
I will say I’ve put a lot of miles on with a 4klb TC and the tailgate on. Or off. Depending on the trip and what I needed. And I don’t think it will auto magically pull too much weight off the front axle. Maybe not even with the traielr but that’s a long extension although no more than a big 11footer on a long bed.
Like I said, I can imagine this possibly being ok. But can’t recommend it, based on your lack of experience and understanding.
So F it. Slap an extension on it and hit the road. You can buy one anywhere.

[Miguel951]

As for airbags not helping to distribute weight. I think they do. They are sold for truck campers to help with light steering wheel, fix your lights from blinding others and to restore stopping power.

[Miguel951]

No idea how to attach pictures. Sorry

[Miguel951]

Trying to figure out how to post pictures

[Miguel951]

Bottom outside length of the camper is 10’ top is 17’. I mentioned this was made for a 8’ bed or a 6’ bed with the tailgate down. I have a 6.75’ bed. Dry weight is listed as 2k. There’s no bottom part of camper below tailgate. 28” from truck bumper to bottom of camper.

I have Firestone rated tires, 18” rims, bags. Tow behind trailer is 12’ to carry a Rzr xp1k4. It does have a Jack close to the front so it could potentially hit the back of the camper if the trailer hitch is too much underneath

[ticki2]

Airbags do nothing for weight distribution , they just raise the suspension on the rear axle . Think of the rear axle as a fulcrum , everything in front of it adds weight to the front axle , everything in back of it subtracts weight from the front axle .

[Grit_dog]

^What he said.
I can envision probably making it work, relatively well, but not for the inexperienced or uninformed and possibly not feasible at all.
Far more considerations than the OP originally posted to make this square peg fit ok in a round hole.

[MORSNOW]

Miguel951 wrote:
Whoops missed there was already a page 2. Thank you all for the feedback
1) I hear your concern about having too much weight off the front axle. I cant say I can go the scales yet. For now, hoping the airbags will help to keep the stock riding height and weight shifted correctly and the weight-distributing hitch will also help push weight forward. I have all the right wheel and suspension upgrades to stay under limitations and it drives great right now. I will for sure keep this in mind.
2) I can see about using an 18" extension. its actually a 10' floor on what should go on an 8' bed I'm using a 6.75' bed. also carry 1 1/2" plywood sheet running from the length of the bed to help distribute weight better. There's not much weight on tailgate. but will also check this out.

Is a 2.5 hitch with a proper extenion recommended or the truss 2 hitch system? Is the second one overkill?

Your camper is growing... There isn't a 10' long camper made that will fit in a 6-1/2' box properly. It will weigh well over 3,000 lbs with the COG probably over 2' behind the axle, it's just not doable.

[3_tons]

I would be a little concerned about the behind the axle COG (with 3’ + rear overhang) and 600# hitch weight…It seems that the root problem is too little truck for too big of cargo, and too big of cargo cascades into the tow extension issue - we’re all in this to have fun, but the best sequence is to choose the camper first, then pick the truck (just saying from experience, been there myself…).

3 tons

[Grit_dog]

Your plan went from possibly not great to bad.
But at least I see why you need a 3’ extension….

[Miguel951]

Whoops missed there was already a page 2. Thank you all for the feedback
1) I hear your concern about having too much weight off the front axle. I cant say I can go the scales yet. For now, hoping the airbags will help to keep the stock riding height and weight shifted correctly and the weight-distributing hitch will also help push weight forward. I have all the right wheel and suspension upgrades to stay under limitations and it drives great right now. I will for sure keep this in mind.
2) I can see about using an 18" extension. its actually a 10' floor on what should go on an 8' bed I'm using a 6.75' bed. also carry 1 1/2" plywood sheet running from the length of the bed to help distribute weight better. There's not much weight on tailgate. but will also check this out.

Is a 2.5 hitch with a proper extenion recommended or the truss 2 hitch system? Is the second one overkill?

[Miguel951]

So the factory 2” hitch is out. Would you recommend I go with a 2.5” hitch and the extension bar that is adequately sized for this or the truss system (dual hitch receivers)?

[Grit_dog]

Miguel951 wrote:
I do need a 36" a little more or less would be fine. My camper is for an 8' bed and I have the 6.75 so the tailgate has to be down. The handle on the jack of the trailer could possibly hit if I go shorter.

Agree that its hard to find a 2" extenion but I did. One on Facebook marketplace that was custom-made by Eckhart and the other on E trailer https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Fabrication-Parts/CURT/C49360.html. Doesnt have nay ratings though.

I was told that i should go with the 2.5" because the 2" would break from the stress of the side-to-side motion. Thoughts and input would be appreciated

Considering you have yet to state actually how long the camper is, your assessment of what you need still is or certainly could be lacking. But assuming the camper itself is shorter than the truck bed + tailgate down, nor does it hang down below bed height or the tailgate would be less of the issue or just not able to be left in place. (Not that it’s necessarily prohibitive to leave the tailgate on and have it partially supporting the camper or just along for the ride.
You could have some combination that I’m not able to visualize though, although I suspect it’s your inexperience or not having yet paired up or mocked up the setup.
Right now it’s a guessing game with the breadcrumbs you’ve provided. How about you post up a couple few pictures with some applicable dimensions and then I/we can help you accurately determine what will work.

[Grit_dog]

ticki2 wrote:
You have a short bed truck with a long bed camper , most likely taking weight off the front axle . Then in addition your putting a 3 ft extension and a 600 lb tongue weight off the back . It’s time to hit the scales , truck axle weights , truck and camper axle weight and if possible, truck camper and trailer axle weights . I suspect you are going to be too light on the front axle and overloaded on rear tires . A WDH will help , maybe enough maybe not . My humble opinion is there is more than one problem to solve .

Not an issue. Even if his camper is far greater dry weight than what he’s claiming for weights, model of truck and lengths.
Do the math and then re-assess what you’re supposing.
And also not discounting that there are additional considerations and/or it’s prohibitive to use a wdh and extension in conjunction in many cases.

[3_tons]

I once had a Ram OEM factory hitch (rated at 1,800 #) bend due to using an extension - correct solution is to go with a 2.5” hitch and a more substantial extension…Curt makes a bolt-on commercial hitch…

3 tons