2010 F150 Super Cab XLT 5.4 4X4 Short Box
2010 18' Springdale Rugged Terrain
1988 Nortstar 8' pop up TC
Honda 2000 26th Marines RVN 69-70 Semper Fi M-14 was the only Woodstock I saw in 1969.
You have an 18" extension combined with what looks like about another 12". I don't know... I think your pushing it with a stock reciever. For peace of mind, I think I'd look into a Reese Titan/Tow Beast. Its a cheaper alternative to Torklifts Superhitch (albiet not as strong) but would be more than up to the task your asking.
04 Dodge 1 ton dually, Cummins, auto, quad cab, 4x4, SLT, Sport, Reese Titan V
04 Lance 1161, TV/DVD, high efficiency A/C, Honda EU2000
OK, thanks for all the thoughtful replies. You are all correct- if I didn't think it was sketchy I probably wouldn't have posted- so thanks for making me see common sense.
I'm now thinking that if I get rid of the short extension and just keep the 18" one I should be OK. It says max tounge weight of 300 lbs or 50% of the hitch rating, whichever is less (I will check, its the Dodge 2" factory hitch. I have never checked the tounge weight of the little green trailer. Do you think it is necessary to check this one? I really want to just load the trailer and go, and not load it, weigh it, store it for another week or two, while I screw around. Do you realize its warmer today at the SOUTH POLE than it is here in Rhode Island! Geeze!
I'm going to take off the existing jack and replace it with a folding jack attached to the side of the trailer, and then I can make a step arrangement mounted where the current jack is to get into the camper. The one thing is, does this put the trailer too close to the camper? The ball will be pretty much right below the back edge of the camper. The little green trailer has a longer tounge, this one just has the triangle frame. Hmmm.
2002 Dodge 3500 CTD/DRW/
2000 Northern Lite 10-2000cd
We have been all over Bigbend many times, there are several places you might want some of these sand mats and a lot of the dirt rds will have of places that hitch will hang up .
rhode trip wrote: I'm now thinking that if I get rid of the short extension and just keep the 18" one I should be OK.
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The one thing is, does this put the trailer too close to the camper? The ball will be pretty much right below the back edge of the camper. The little green trailer has a longer tounge, this one just has the triangle frame. Hmmm.
I'm with the others. 18" is as much as I'd go with the stock hitch.
Take the 12" extension along with you inside the trailer. If you really need to get into/out of a tight spot you can always add it back in temporarily. That's better than having no option at all.
Hi Suds. Truth be told, I was thinking I probably would want to drop the trailer at the visitors center or a campground or somewhere when we drive some of the less maintained roads. We're planning a backpack into the Chisos Mtns, and we'll have the bikes- small dual sports- for some exploring. Think this sounds practical? We are planning on spending about 7 days there, and mainly like to hike.
the stock non-weight distribution rating on the Dodge hitch (mine anyway) is 500 lbs, so if your tongue weight is less than 250 lbs and you ditch the extra extension/step thing, you may be good to go. I'd think it was quite odd if the trailer you are planning to use was under 2500 lbs total weight and therefore a safe tongue weight of 250 lbs. A Reese Towbeast setup complete would do you great and only cost about $500.
Brian
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab, Hemi, 5 speed manual, 3.73 gears, Tow Beast hitch with 24" extension.
28 ft race car hauler, Lola T440 Formula Ford, NTM MK4 Sports Racer
1980 MCI MC-5C highway coach conversion
rhode trip wrote: I'm getting ready to head to Big Bend, Texas.
So when do you plan to be in BB? DW and I are planning to be there sometime during the first two weeks in March. I have followed and enjoyed your posts on some of your earlier trips and would love to meet you guys in person.
VintageRacer wrote: A Reese Towbeast setup complete would do you great and only cost about $500.
Brian
You guys are killin' me. I looked into the Superhitch and the real kick in the shorts is that I would have to get new rear Torklift tiedowns because the ones I have now fit into the factory hitch. Is the Towbeast the same? You are probably right about the weight because I think...off the top of my head, I can't check right now...that the trailer weighs about 2,000lbs and has about 2,500 cargo capacity according to the tag.(OK, I checked when I got home. What it says on the trailer is GVWR 2990lbs. I don't see where it says anything else, maybe I made that up) I don't think I'm anywhere near that, but stuff adds up faster than you think.
A good example: wnjj, I think that's a great suggestion to carry the other extension in case I run into a ditch or other obstacle and need the extra length to get out. But that is probably adding at least another 1-lb to my tounge weight.
jmckelvy, The original plan was to leave Feb 1st. Now we're hoping to leave late next week...hence my lack of time to work out a good solution. I am planning to drive straight interstate to Big Bend and think it will take about 4 days to get there. I usually mosey along on secondary roads as much as possible, so all this high speed driving is making me more concerned about trailer safety than I have been before. We want to get to Big Bend before it gets too crowded. I hear its a zoo during spring break. Our time is limited too, because of impending grandfatherhood, come April. Lynn will kill me if we're not back in plenty of time for our daughter to have our first grandchild!
* This post was
edited 02/05/09 03:43pm by rhode trip *
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