nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Sept 1, 2014 5:02:34 GMT -8
We moved from a small truck to a full size Tundra and it seems like the truck comes really close to the camper when backing up at a very sharp angle. I did a test and admittedly pushed the angle to around 35-40 degrees but the truck comes within a couple of inches of the camper. It seems a little too close for comfort.
Opinions on short hitch extenders? Does anybody use one or is it really not needed?
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Post by bigbill on Sept 1, 2014 7:15:48 GMT -8
A hitch extender is fine, just remember that a hitch extender reduces the tongue weight capacity of you hitch. So if you have a hitch that will carry 500 lbs. and you are pulling a trailer with 300 lb tongue weight a one foot extension is about the maximum, if you are pulling a trailer with 400 lbs. tongue weight then an extension would be dangerous. Subtract a minimum of 25% per foot of extension and the safe figure is 33%. A simple explanation is Leverage, If you have ever used a longer wrench to loosen a tight bolt and noticed how much easier it was to turn, same on your hitch.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Sept 1, 2014 8:25:08 GMT -8
A hitch extender is fine, just remember that a hitch extender reduces the tongue weight capacity of you hitch. So if you have a hitch that will carry 500 lbs. and you are pulling a trailer with 300 lb tongue weight a one foot extension is about the maximum, if you are pulling a trailer with 400 lbs. tongue weight then an extension would be dangerous. Subtract a minimum of 25% per foot of extension and the safe figure is 33%. A simple explanation is Leverage, If you have ever used a longer wrench to loosen a tight bolt and noticed how much easier it was to turn, same on your hitch. Thanks for the info. Do you use a hitch extender? Is there more sway? |
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Sept 1, 2014 8:42:57 GMT -8
YES, it's needed when towing a old short tongue trailer, with a modern wide pick up. New trucks also have the receiver tucked up (hidden) under the bumper making the problem even worse.
ETrailer, Hidden Hitch Part#80232, about $30 bucks. If you need a sway bar mounted, you will need to order the sway bar tab and have it welded in your "desired location", locally.
I used my extended ball mount yesterday on my new 1957 wagon receiver, and it does not sway even without a sway bar.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Sept 1, 2014 11:34:30 GMT -8
YES, it's needed when towing a old short tongue trailer, with a modern wide pick up. New trucks also have the receiver tucked up (hidden) under the bumper making the problem even worse. ETrailer, Hidden Hitch Part#80232, about $30 bucks. If you need a sway bar mounted, you will need to order the sway bar tab and have it welded in your "desired location", locally. I used my extended ball mount yesterday on my new 1957 wagon receiver, and it does not sway even without a sway bar. This extended hitch has the six-inch drop I need, but it only adds about 4 inches in length to what I have now. Do you think that's enough? It seems to be the longest they carry. 14 inches pin to ball. www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/Curt/D-28.html |
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Post by bigbill on Sept 1, 2014 11:41:50 GMT -8
Should not cause sway
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John Palmer
Senior Member
Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 575
Currently Offline
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Post by John Palmer on Sept 1, 2014 14:17:43 GMT -8
YES, it's needed when towing a old short tongue trailer, with a modern wide pick up. New trucks also have the receiver tucked up (hidden) under the bumper making the problem even worse. ETrailer, Hidden Hitch Part#80232, about $30 bucks. If you need a sway bar mounted, you will need to order the sway bar tab and have it welded in your "desired location", locally. I used my extended ball mount yesterday on my new 1957 wagon receiver, and it does not sway even without a sway bar. This extended hitch has the six-inch drop I need, but it only adds about 4 inches in length to what I have now. Do you think that's enough? It seems to be the longest they carry. 14 inches pin to ball. www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/Curt/D-28.htmlThe Hidden Hitch ball mount that I use (#80232) is 16" hole to hole center. But I have drilled a new hole for the locking pin at 13" because "it looked geeky to me" when installed at 16".
None of this stuff is in concrete, as long as you stay within the physics safety boundary, as our Resident Scientist has already pointed out, LOL.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Sept 1, 2014 15:03:41 GMT -8
I ordered one from etrailer.
Long enough to keep me from denting the camper, short enough to keep me from looking like a geek...I hope.
Thanks again for the advice.
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