extend trailer hitch

[gshock]

i would like to extend my 2 inch reciever hitch<br />out about 18 inches to attach a bike rack will this be ok? i will need to drill 2 3/4 holes in the hitch to attach the mounting hardware<br />i will also be pulling a 19' alum boat with 70hp<br />outboard see any problems ??

 

[tommays]

Re: extend trailer hitch

i think you will put to much load on the reciever from the leverage of the extra lenth <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Silvertip]

Re: extend trailer hitch

A "reserved" Yup! I must assume we are talking about a 2-inch receiver. The hitch on a vehicle acts as a big lever. The farther you place the hitch ball from the rear axle the more leverage that creates. If the receiver hitch is a weight distributing type (frame mounted), tongue weight shouldn't be a problem although the leverage effect is still present. If the receiver is nothing more than a receiver box bolted to the bottom of a step bumper, you have a definite problem due to the twisting (leverage)) effect of the extended hitch. Tongue load then becomes a definite factor. Vehicle handling characteristics can be adversely affected by the extended hitch regardless of the receiver type.

 

[gshock]

Re: extend trailer hitch

my truck is a ford exploer with factory trailer<br />package.it has a frame mounted receiver 2".

 

[Silvertip]

Re: extend trailer hitch

That's fine -- but by extending the hitch 18-inches you are creating a situation that can seriously affect handling characteristics of an already short wheelbase vehicle. I'm not trying to talk you out of this -- I'm only pointing out the issue of the handling problem you may encounter. I've seen two roll-overs due to sway-induced handling issues while towing. Both have been Explorers -- one an average size boat and the other a single axle covered utility trailer (empty). I was behind both of them when the events unfolded. The fact that they were Explorers is neither here-nor-there. They, like any short wheel-base vehicle generally react poorly to sway. Some are just more prone than others. Approach this idea with caution.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: extend trailer hitch

You will be towing boat AND using bike rack? I know that they have the trailer hitch bike racks...but you want to have rack and ball at same time? Wouldn't it be easier to just toss the bikes in boat for the trip or is there a reason that they need to be on a rack?<br /><br />I'm not trying to be a smarta$$...just trying to figure out what you are trying to accomplish.<br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[Shepherds Ride]

Re: extend trailer hitch

Check this out:<br /><br /> http://www.hitch-web.com/items.asp?O1ID=2&O2ID=22&O3ID=6&O4ID=3&O5ID=1 <br /><br />This bike carrier slides over the 2" receiver.<br /><br />Only adds the weight of the bikes and carrier to the tongue.<br /><br />I hope that helps.

 

[Shepherds Ride]

Re: extend trailer hitch

BTW:<br /><br />Hidden Hitch makes it (# 51940)

 

[gshock]

Re: extend trailer hitch

i have enough trouble without adding a rollover<br />into the picture,think i take your advice and throw them in the boat<br />thanks alot.

 

[milkyway]

Re: extend trailer hitch

Why not get a bike rack that mounts on the roof? I have sees a lot of those. Extending your receiver may weaken it. You might find your boatriding on the bike.

 

[KM2]

Re: extend trailer hitch

I have a bike rack and tow the boat somtimes. I found a bike rack that mounts the bumper hitch. Bike rack mounted to the bumper use reciever hitch for the boat. The bike rack was cheap on ebay, search for the brand rhode gear.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: extend trailer hitch

The entire issue here is not the added weight of the bikes. Its extending the hitch 18 inches that is at issue. To see the effect on handling, insert the standard hitch into the receiver.Using your foot on the hitch, push the vehicle sideways. Now, insert something stout into the receiver that extends 18 inches past the normal position of the ball and repeat the test. Now imagine how that would affect handling when amplified by a 2000# or more trailer & boat.