I had originally planned on getting a big Torklift hitch, but after looking at the massive 3" OEM hitch, I believe I will use that.
My extension will be 30" to 36" (hole to hole) and pull 7,500 lbs on a WD hitch with about 500 lbs of tongue weight.
Brad
Wake Up America
2019 Lance 1062 and 2018 F-350 CC PSD 4X4 DRW
Tembrens, Rear Roadmaster Sway Bar, Torklift 48" Extention and 30K Superhitch
Our New Lance 1062 Truck Camper Unloading at Dealer Photos
Tow 1000lb trailer for 600 miles just fine.
The only problem I had was weld inside the tubing, so I grind a grove in 2.5" adapter.
Per my calculation the 3" tubing is stronger than Torklift stinger, but did not have all the measurements for precise calculation.
500 lb on extended hitch is very serious stuff, so you be careful and do some testing before going for long trip.
'68 Avion C-11
'02 GMC DRW D/A flatbed
Putting 10-ply tires on half ton trucks since aught-four.
I cut my 2 1/2 down to 18 inches which gives me just enough length for my TC. I cut it short so it wouldn’t be in the way putting down the steps. The downside is there isn’t a lot of room to hookup. Anyway, it worked fine without a WD hitch for my wife’s uncles 18 TT behind my TC to Yellowstone last year.
'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.
NRA Life Member, CCA Life Member
My 20' enclosed trailer is typically loaded at 6000-8000 lbs and has an 800-1000 lb tongue weight. I cannot see a 7500 lb trailer with 500 lb tongue weight unless it is loaded rear heavy or it is a boat.
Chevy Sonic 1.8-Honda Passport C70B-Host Mammoth 11.5-Interstate Car Carrier 20-Joyner SandViper 250-Kawasaki Concours ZG1000-Paros 8' flatbed-Pelican Decker DLX 8.75-Ram 5500 HD
Lately I was hauling garden sculptures on equipment trailer.
Whole trailer was probably in 8k range, but due to the load shape, the tongue was light.
I could not drive with it faster than 55mph as with any maneuver the trailer would start fishtailing.
That was with no extension, where extension is fishtailing amplifier.
http://www.reeseprod.com/products/hitch-accessories/other-accessories/trailer-hitch-extension/hxyNMzUEThezO4ZpzhR4RkMsE576VeBN
It works great and I haul my utility trailer with ATV, coolers etc. loaded on it. Since your hitch is 3" you could just use your 2 1/2" reducer.
2017 Ford F350 XLT Premium CCSB 4x4 6.2 gas 3.73 rear end, 4226 lbs payload
2017 Northern Lite QC 8.11 SE
Torklift tie downs, Torklift Fast Guns, Torklift Upper Stableloads, Airlift 5000 Ultimate air bags, Airlift WirelessAIR onboard compressor system
They flex quite a bit, even the guys did not say what is the trailer weight.
Showing how serious the connection is.
Steel can handle pretty good flexing, but at some point metal fatigue comes to play.
![[image]](http://www.fototime.com/AE6853189321AD7/orig.jpg)
![[image]](http://www.fototime.com/F8F5FF51336283E/orig.jpg)
![[image]](http://www.fototime.com/1306697871F9FAF/orig.jpg)
![[image]](http://www.fototime.com/F94C4880FF0E23C/orig.jpg)
Here are photos of the hitch extension I built in 12 years ago and am still using on our 2006 F350. Its made from 2-1/2" X 1/4" wall square steel tube. I believe it is about 22" to 24" hole to hole. I have towed our 7,500 lb car hauler many 1,000s of miles with it.
The new extension will be longer, 30" to 36" and will be made of 3" X 3/8" wall steel tube and have similar side chains/turnbuckles. I agree that 1/4" wall would be plenty, but I will likely use 3/8" so I don't have to think too hard about it. The trade off for added strength is cost and weight.
I agree that 500 lb tongue weight seems low for a 7,500 lb trailer. But I'm pretty sure that is what it is. I remember weighing it when I was setting everything up, but that was 12 years ago and the remembering part of my brain ain't what it used to be. I was trying to keep the tongue weight as low as possible to reduce the torque on the hitch, but still have stability on the highway. It was easy to adjust the tongue weight by just positioning the jeep fore or aft on the trailer. I still have the two walmart bathroom scales I bought to weigh it.
I love the WD hitch set up we currently have. The truck actually drives much better on the interstate with the trailer than without.
The added leverage on the receiver hitch is my main concern. When the weather clears up, I'm going to crawl under a 2018 and check the side plate thickness and thump it with a small ball peen hammer.
* This post was edited 02/07/18 07:22am by BradW *
Kayteg1 wrote:
It can be done technically, but will sacrifice the safety.
Lately I was hauling garden sculptures on equipment trailer.
Whole trailer was probably in 8k range, but due to the load shape, the tongue was light.
I could not drive with it faster than 55mph as with any maneuver the trailer would start fishtailing.
That was with no extension, where extension is fishtailing amplifier.
It can be done technically, but will sacrifice the safety.
Lately I was hauling garden sculptures on equipment trailer.
Whole trailer was probably in 8k range, but due to the load shape, the tongue was light.
I could not drive with it faster than 55mph as with any maneuver the trailer would start fishtailing.
That was with no extension, where extension is fishtailing amplifier.
Been there!
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/embarrassed.gif "embarrassed")
Picked up a load of 12' composite deck boards on my 8' utility trailer towed behind my 2-door jeep. I knew it would be light on the tongue (maybe 100 lb tongue weight). I'm guessing the trailer/load weighed 1,500 to 2,000 lbs (maybe more). When I hit 45 it got BAD squirrely. If I had tried to drive over 45, I would have lost it. Of course it was also raining, dark and Friday rush hour traffic. I made it 15 miles home driving 40 and I will never do that again.
BradW wrote:
Been there!
Picked up a load of 12' composite deck boards on my 8' utility trailer towed behind my 2-door jeep. I knew it would be light on the tongue (maybe 100 lb tongue weight). I'm guessing the trailer/load weighed 1,500 to 2,000 lbs (maybe more). When I hit 45 it got BAD squirrely. If I had tried to drive over 45, I would have lost it. Of course it was also raining, dark and Friday rush hour traffic. I made it 15 miles home driving 40 and I will never do that again.
Kayteg1 wrote:
It can be done technically, but will sacrifice the safety.
Lately I was hauling garden sculptures on equipment trailer.
Whole trailer was probably in 8k range, but due to the load shape, the tongue was light.
I could not drive with it faster than 55mph as with any maneuver the trailer would start fishtailing.
That was with no extension, where extension is fishtailing amplifier.
It can be done technically, but will sacrifice the safety.
Lately I was hauling garden sculptures on equipment trailer.
Whole trailer was probably in 8k range, but due to the load shape, the tongue was light.
I could not drive with it faster than 55mph as with any maneuver the trailer would start fishtailing.
That was with no extension, where extension is fishtailing amplifier.
Been there!
Picked up a load of 12' composite deck boards on my 8' utility trailer towed behind my 2-door jeep. I knew it would be light on the tongue (maybe 100 lb tongue weight). I'm guessing the trailer/load weighed 1,500 to 2,000 lbs (maybe more). When I hit 45 it got BAD squirrely. If I had tried to drive over 45, I would have lost it. Of course it was also raining, dark and Friday rush hour traffic. I made it 15 miles home driving 40 and I will never do that again.
Me too -- similar situation. Light tongue weight is the symptom of the actual cg being too far back. Situation is mathematically and physically unstable.
Cal
truck .
https://imgur.com/gallery/RHOEP
Those should be not only way lighter than present setups, but also way cheaper as single tubing will be stronger than double tubing on old design.
And again, my 3" tubing cost me $30 and about 1 hr of labor to make light-duty extension.
Kayteg1 wrote:
I wonder how long it will take Torklift to start making 3" supertrust.
Those should be not only way lighter than present setups, but also way cheaper as single tubing will be stronger than double tubing on old design.
And again, my 3" tubing cost me $30 and about 1 hr of labor to make light-duty extension.
I wonder how long it will take Torklift to start making 3" supertrust.
Those should be not only way lighter than present setups, but also way cheaper as single tubing will be stronger than double tubing on old design.
And again, my 3" tubing cost me $30 and about 1 hr of labor to make light-duty extension.
If it makes sense, they will do it. They seem to always be coming up with new stuff.
CURT had front receivers available for new trucks a year ago, but I still don't see 3" ball mounts. The best I could find was casted mount in 2.5" size with 18k rating. Made in China.
Truck has tow rating at 22k, yet no hardware available.
Just check my mount order. Since March 2017 the price went from $39 to $61 on Amazon. Chinese do it right.
This is the mount I would chose if it was available a year ago. Still less than truck rating, but close enough.
Looks like the same manufacturer to my 2.5"
So all the wait now is for 3" supertrust
* This post was edited 02/08/18 11:40am by Kayteg1 *
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
I took my trusty plastic $6 Chinese Tool Store digital micrometer with me to the Ford dealer and checked the steel thickness on the OEM 2-1/2" and the 3" hitches.
My micrometer only reads in .01", but here goes:
2-1/2" = .160" to .180" thickness (approx.)
3" = .210 thickness (approx.)
The measurements apply to the cross tube and the structure which bolts to the frame.
BradW
2.5x2.5=6.25
3x3 = 9
Meaning 3" square bar is almost 50% stronger than 2.5" square bar.
It is more complicated with tubing and differt thickness, but is giving you an idea.