Who here is using a hitch extension?

[alaska_guy1]

I was curious who here was using a hitch extension to tow a small boat, trailer etc.

Not interested in SuperHitch as this isn't feasible to me at this time.

I am looking to haul some kayak's and some other light weight items.

I was wondering how you guys are doing with 24-36" extensions.

[Geewizard]

alaska_guy wrote:

mkirsch wrote:

alaska_guy wrote:
Thanks fella's. I went down to my local trailer specialist and they said 18" extension is the maximum I can run with a ClassIII hitch 2" receiver. I bought the 18" extension as I have a ball that ads about another 10". Hopefully the 28" gets me behind the camper so I can tow what I need...

Otherwise I guess I step up to a Superhitch.

You don't need to get behind the camper. All you need is to get it far enough back that whatever's on the tongue clears the camper.

I'm using a 12" extension with a standard shank to tow my enclosed trailer under my 18" overhang.

My big flatbed tows just fine with only a standard shank under my 18" overhang.

That sounds ideal if you are driving on nice paved roads... What if your going over some harsh road conditions... I would be worried the trailer may contact my camper due to the pivoting.

Mine never did and it was under the camper too. I drove some pretty "harsh" gravel and two-track roads.

[alaska_guy1]

mkirsch wrote:

alaska_guy wrote:
Thanks fella's. I went down to my local trailer specialist and they said 18" extension is the maximum I can run with a ClassIII hitch 2" receiver. I bought the 18" extension as I have a ball that ads about another 10". Hopefully the 28" gets me behind the camper so I can tow what I need...

Otherwise I guess I step up to a Superhitch.

You don't need to get behind the camper. All you need is to get it far enough back that whatever's on the tongue clears the camper.

I'm using a 12" extension with a standard shank to tow my enclosed trailer under my 18" overhang.

My big flatbed tows just fine with only a standard shank under my 18" overhang.

That sounds ideal if you are driving on nice paved roads... What if your going over some harsh road conditions... I would be worried the trailer may contact my camper due to the pivoting.

[mkirsch]

alaska_guy wrote:
Thanks fella's. I went down to my local trailer specialist and they said 18" extension is the maximum I can run with a ClassIII hitch 2" receiver. I bought the 18" extension as I have a ball that ads about another 10". Hopefully the 28" gets me behind the camper so I can tow what I need...

Otherwise I guess I step up to a Superhitch.

You don't need to get behind the camper. All you need is to get it far enough back that whatever's on the tongue clears the camper.

I'm using a 12" extension with a standard shank to tow my enclosed trailer under my 18" overhang.

My big flatbed tows just fine with only a standard shank under my 18" overhang.

[Grit_dog]

trail-explorer wrote:

alaska_guy wrote:
I have a ball that ads about another 10".

I've never seen a 10" ball before.

You sound like my 9 year old! Lol

[Grit_dog]

trail-explorer wrote:

alaska_guy wrote:
Not interested in SuperHitch as this isn't feasible to me at this time.

WHy isn't a SuperHitch and SuperTruss feasible?

Likely because not much roi to spending a grand to tow something lightweight when the upgraded gear is not necessary.
To alaskaguy, if you're just hauling a couple kayaks on a 2 place Sno machine trailer, a 24" extension will work for you on a HD pickup trailer hitch.
Personal experience, not advice from the trailer cops, I have hauled my 2 place aluminum enclosed trailer and 2 sleds with a 24" extension off a 2" receiver no issues and a 6klb trailer off a 12" extension, many miles, including a trip up the Alcan.
Just stay light with the long extension.

[stevenal]

A Super Extra Long Ball Mount might get you a bit more length.

[gtkato]

I tow a small kayak/gear trailer
I use a step down sleeve from my 2 1/2" class V receiver to a 2"
You are correct, a 2" extension is a class III rating and max length is 18"
I then use a 9" adjustable drop hitch with 2" ball on the end, with "wobble stoppers" on both extensions.
The kayak trailer should have an extended tongue to clear your camper in tight turns and backing up. Most kayak/gear trailers (combined weight are less than 1500 lbs) and should tow fine.

[Geewizard]

alaska_guy wrote:
I was curious who here was using a hitch extension to tow a small boat, trailer etc.

Not interested in SuperHitch as this isn't feasible to me at this time.

I am looking to haul some kayak's and some other light weight items.

I was wondering how you guys are doing with 24-36" extensions.

I've used a 24" extension with my 10" ball mount quite a bit to haul my 18' river boat (with a 35hp Go-Devil Surface Drive, btw) on it's trailer. The tongue weight was probably around 90 lbs ?? because I could just about lift it onto the ball. I drove the haul road a couple of times with the boat package without any issues. And drove a lot on interior AK paved roads with it too.

I also used the same extension to haul my 16' ATV trailer loaded with with mining equipment up the Steese Hwy. No worries.

I sold the boat and ATV packages when I moved to America so the only thing I use the extension for now is my bike carrier or Malone kayak trailer.

No issues for my setup. No superhitch, just an extension out of my 2" Class 3 receiver hitch. I do use a J-pin and that helps A LOT with any kind of rattling on the extension. I recommend them.

[Fastbrit]

Same here 30" x 2 1/2 ext on a class 5 hitch and I use chains with turn buckles to keep the extension from flopping around. The trailer is 700 pds and 1550 pds for the car.

[alaska_guy1]

trail-explorer wrote:

alaska_guy wrote:
Not interested in SuperHitch as this isn't feasible to me at this time.

WHy isn't a SuperHitch and SuperTruss feasible?

Finances.

Taxes, just spend 6k rebuilding the trucks engine, just bought a camper... The wife only lets me drain the bank account so much. 🙂

[jimh406]

I think he meant "ball mount". 🙂

[trail-explorer]

alaska_guy wrote:
I have a ball that ads about another 10".

I've never seen a 10" ball before.

[trail-explorer]

alaska_guy wrote:
Not interested in SuperHitch as this isn't feasible to me at this time.

WHy isn't a SuperHitch and SuperTruss feasible?

[MORSNOW]

GeoBoy wrote:
Your right but some of us just want a Super Hitch because they are so awesome.

That they are, you won't get an argument out of me.