Hitch Extenders

[work2much]

I know this has been discussed more than once but search wasn't turning up results.

We have a Ram 3500 with a 2-1/2 inch receiver. Our TC extends approximately 36" past the trucks receiver box. We will be flat towing a Jeep Wrangler that should weight 4500 pounds or so.

I know many folks use a Torklift Supertruss. I was hoping to use the factory receiver with something like this and cut to length.


https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Adapters/Reese/RP45018.html

I would add diagonal chain back to the truck frame similar to what the super truss has. Suggestions?

I am also looking for advice on the towing apparatus. So far Blue Ox seems to be common and well liked. I am also considering their patriot brake. Open to suggestions. Thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Ox-BRK2016-Brake-System/dp/B01LYA4FEV/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541281724&...

[Bedlam]

Flat towing will put more horizontal loads on the extension than vertical loads, so the support chains will help. I would suggest adding wobble stoppers at both ends of the extension to reduce play and shock forces when changing vectors. Emergency braking will put the most vertical forces on the extension unless you are perfectly level - This is where supplemental vehicle braking will help reduce that vector.

[zb39]

The sterling is a great unit. I have used it on 2 different vehicles so yes I have installed base plates.
I have towed with 3 different motorhomes, 1 gas and 2 DP's. I would say all coaches these days have rear view cameras so they can keep an I on there toads. I always did and never had an issue over 50k miles.

With the CM bed I have I only need about 39 inches, I will use a single bar etc.

[Kayteg1]

Even when the toad doesn't put much tongue weight, make sure the set doesn't allow much of play.
I start paying attention to big DP pulling toads.
On huge % of them - the toad fishtails quite a bit.
My impression is that small Jeep or R4 might not make impact on 10 tons DP, so driver has no clue about the problem, but I always picture in my mind his face at tire shop wondering why the tires with 10,000 miles are getting bold. 🙂
Long overhang, where extension adds a lot to factory long overhangs amplifies any fishtailing trailers and toads have.

[work2much]

zb39 wrote:
I am setting up the same system right now. 2019 Jeep 2 door is on order and I have the Roadmaster sterling tower from previous RV's. I will also be using chains to triangulate.

Looking online the sterling looks like a nice unit. Have you installed the baseplate on previous vehicles before?

[Grit_dog]

Your thought process is solid.
Idk about that particular extension, but with sufficient diagonal chains, I wouldn't have issue with flat towing a Jeep with your truck/camper combo.
Make sure you get a 2.5" square extension. Don't use the hitch sleeve adapter. Those are problematic with heavy or long term use.
No aux brakes needed unless you really want them, and at that, if you felt the need for a surge system on the toad, you may consider a compression brake for your truck vs the aux braking in the jeep. Pac Brake load leash.

[zb39]

I am setting up the same system right now. 2019 Jeep 2 door is on order and I have the Roadmaster sterling tower from previous RV's. I will also be using chains to triangulate.

[Wills6_4_Hemi]

My 2016 ram 3500 drw has the 2 1/2" receiver it is rated at 1800 tw and 18000. Hope this helps

[guidry]

I’ve been using a 48” extension just as you plan to on my 3500. No issues towing my 1800 lb bass boat behind my tc.

[work2much]

yblaw wrote:

mike/kellie wrote:
I can only respond to the braking system. I bought the Ready Brute with surge. I bought a new Ready Brute tow bar from a member here, and then purchased the base plate and separate surge extension. I didn't want wiring going through the jeep. I have 2 cables mounted to the brake pedal through the firewall. One is emergency break aware and the other is surge cable. Brake, turn and tail lights are the magnetic type ( battery fed led ) secured to cargo basket over the spare, fed my transmitter plugged into the 7-way plug.
Great father's day present from my kids that performed perfectly last month.
Spider senses flashed seeing a single tube extension. Looking at my Torklift, 2 tubes fastened together with 3/8" chain turnbuckles.

X2 on Mike/Kellie's concern about a single tube. I think you will find that the Mammoth is 11 1/2' long, and that you need a minimum 42" hitch extension. I use a 48" Torklift truss system on my Mammoth to put a little more distance between what I'm towing and the back of the camper.....

This is why I was going to triangulate with chain/turnbuckles similar to super truss. Flat towing there will be no hitch weight to speak of. The tow should be less than 5,000 pounds. My thought was that the added chain would relieve horizontal loads and vertical loads should be practically nonexistent.

To use the Torklift system it looks like the factory hitch needs to be removed and replaced with the TL hitch?

[yblaw]

mike/kellie wrote:
I can only respond to the braking system. I bought the Ready Brute with surge. I bought a new Ready Brute tow bar from a member here, and then purchased the base plate and separate surge extension. I didn't want wiring going through the jeep. I have 2 cables mounted to the brake pedal through the firewall. One is emergency break aware and the other is surge cable. Brake, turn and tail lights are the magnetic type ( battery fed led ) secured to cargo basket over the spare, fed my transmitter plugged into the 7-way plug.
Great father's day present from my kids that performed perfectly last month.
Spider senses flashed seeing a single tube extension. Looking at my Torklift, 2 tubes fastened together with 3/8" chain turnbuckles.

X2 on Mike/Kellie's concern about a single tube. I think you will find that the Mammoth is 11 1/2' long, and that you need a minimum 42" hitch extension. I use a 48" Torklift truss system on my Mammoth to put a little more distance between what I'm towing and the back of the camper.....

[byronlj]

I use a setup similar to your picture, Curt 2 1/2 extension. I have towed my 3k boat with a couple hundred lbs of tongue weight, and also my Jeep cj7 about 3k and no tongue weight. I thought of hooking diagonally like you mentioned, but have had no problems without them. Again, these were only around 3k lbs, not as much as what you want to pull.
Let us know what works for you.
Dave

[FireGuard]

This is what I used on my 13 Wrangler
Blue Ox BX1126 Base Plate. $379.99
Blue Ox BX8869 Bulb and socket tail light wiring kit. $52.52
Bought from Amazon.
The wire kit works great. You drill 1” holes inside of the taillight assembly to mount a bulb and you use 4 wires from the bulbs under the Jeep to a plug that mounts on the base plate. Pretty straight forward install on both.
With all the electronics on new vehicles I wouldn’t tap into the vehicles electrical system.

[GeoBoy]

Greg, that extension looks pretty stout and with adding the diagonal chains you should be ok, no real tongue weight. Check out Towmate wireless lights for your Wrangler and the RVibrake looks good.

[jimh406]

Since you are flat towing, I think you’d be fine with the hitch and extender. There would only be the weight of the tow bar on the extension. You should measure the exact length needed including the ball mount.

I don’t have experience with the rest.

[work2much]

mike/kellie wrote:
I can only respond to the braking system. I bought the Ready Brute with surge. I bought a new Ready Brute tow bar from a member here, and then purchased the base plate and separate surge extension. I didn't want wiring going through the jeep. I have 2 cables mounted to the brake pedal through the firewall. One is emergency break aware and the other is surge cable. Brake, turn and tail lights are the magnetic type ( battery fed led ) secured to cargo basket over the spare, fed my transmitter plugged into the 7-way plug.
Great father's day present from my kids that performed perfectly last month.
Spider senses flashed seeing a single tube extension. Looking at my Torklift, 2 tubes fastened together with 3/8" chain turnbuckles.

Thanks, I have been looking at signals. I am leaning towards add-a-bulb type.