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Old 05-22-2013, 08:15 PM   #1
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Double Hitch Extender Question

I bought a Curt double hitch extender so I can tow my 2013 Honda Fit and carry our bikes. The E-Trailer website says the hitch extenders/drop hitches reduce you hitch rating by half! I have a 5000 lb hitch on my Jayco Redhawk class C motorhome. So using their math my new hitch rating is 2500 lbs. Well my Honda Fit weighs 2580 lbs slightly more with our kayaks on top.

Do I need to buy a better hitch or is 100~150 lbs over 2500 lbs a big deal? Our bikes and tow bar only weigh about 150 lbs total so tongue weight is not the issue. It seems crazy that the hitch extender cuts my hitch rating in half. I can understand cutting the tongue capacity in half due to the longer lever but cutting the tow rating in half is crazy.
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Old 05-22-2013, 08:20 PM   #2
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Be aware, flat towing a car is not the same as pulling a trailer! A trailer follows no matter what but a car HAS to be steered putting side load on the hitch. Just my honest opinion.......I would not even think of doing it.
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Old 05-22-2013, 08:24 PM   #3
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What they should clarify is that it reduces the pin weight by 1/2. So a 500# limit on pin weight would become 250#.

This is due to the increased lever arm on the hitch attachment points.

Ken
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Old 05-22-2013, 08:37 PM   #4
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Which do you have specifically?

Curt Accessories and Parts - D-192


Curt 8" Dual Purpose Ball Mount
  • Combined weight rating of both receivers: 350 lbs TW/3,500 lbs GTW
  • Top receiver opening not for towing use
  • Bottom receiver for towbar or trailer use
  • Pin and clip not included
Curt Dual 2" Receiver Tube Adapter, 8" Extension Curt Accessories and Parts D-192
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Old 05-22-2013, 09:09 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vsheetz View Post
Which do you have specifically?

Curt Accessories and Parts - D-192


Curt 8" Dual Purpose Ball Mount
  • Combined weight rating of both receivers: 350 lbs TW/3,500 lbs GTW
  • Top receiver opening not for towing use
  • Bottom receiver for towbar or trailer use
  • Pin and clip not included
Curt Dual 2" Receiver Tube Adapter, 8" Extension Curt Accessories and Parts D-192
This is the one I have. I am well within the limits of the extension. But if I have to reduce my motorhome's hitch rating by half than my Honda Fit is just over the limit. I will try to find the E-Trailer webpage and link to it.
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Old 05-22-2013, 09:13 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TXiceman View Post
What they should clarify is that it reduces the pin weight by 1/2. So a 500# limit on pin weight would become 250#.

This is due to the increased lever arm on the hitch attachment points.

Ken
That also holds for all forces on the extension, horizontal as well as vertical.
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Old 05-22-2013, 09:44 PM   #7
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How do Hitch Adapters and Extenders Reduce Hitch Weight Capacities | etrailer.com

The link above discusses the hitch extender reducing the motorhomes hitch rating by half. So with all this said I am about 100lbs over the reduced rating of 2500 lbs. Should I purchase a higher rated hitch for just 100lbs?
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Old 05-22-2013, 09:54 PM   #8
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I'm not sure any of us here are qualified to answer that. I guess the answer is "how lucky do you feel?" and "how good is your insurance?"
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Old 05-22-2013, 10:18 PM   #9
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It's tough and clearly not an exact science. I found another website that says the extension reduces only your tongue weight by 1/3.

I will probably switch the hitch out. Jayco puts a lower end model tubular hitch. I really don't care for the round or tubular hitches.
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Old 06-03-2013, 11:13 AM   #10
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This is the one that I bought.
http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-.../RM-077-4.html

Recommendation is flat towing or 4 wheels down ONLY. I think they may be referring to a reduction in tongue weight.
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Old 06-03-2013, 04:40 PM   #11
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Good info here.

I have a class C motor home without a generator so I made a 2 x 4 rack to slide into my trailer hitch to carry the generator. Then I figured that hey, just extend the 2 x 2 hitch tube further out the back of the carrier and I then could hook my Jeep to that and go down the road with the jeep and generator in tow.

I came to this forum to see if anyone knew where I could get a piece of 2x2 inside diameter section that I would use for the receiver.

After reading this post and thread I guess I will go a different route. Was'nt worried about the tongue weight because it 4 wheel tow the Jeep, but didnt think about the side torque the Jeep would cause on the extended hitch when making turns.

As usual, great stuff on the forum

Larry
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