Trailer Hitch Questions

[a_flyfisher]

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

[jimh406]

I don't know what extension length you need.

[a_flyfisher]

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]

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]

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]

I towed my 18' river boat and 20' snowmachine trailer using a hitch extension. No problems at all.

[kohldad]

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]

We tow a 16 ' Lund Alaskan with a 48" Titan extension without any problems. Tongue weight under 200 lbs.

Bob & Cathy

[a_flyfisher]

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]

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]

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

[Kayteg1]

You will find some answers in my topic about 3" receiver.
Bare in mind that 450lb on 36" stinger can add 900 lb on your rear axle, so depends on your camper weight, that most likely will be your limit.