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Oneyeehaw
Norco ca
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Joined: 02/12/2023
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Help! I currently have a f350 7.3 diesel dually long bed truck. Just got the 9’6” camper upgraded from the 8’6” camper. My question is what will I do about the hitch for my horse trailer ? It’s rated for like 7k lbs (my trailers gvw). I have looked at the torklift but they don’t make a 12” extension. What do I do ?! Do I even need an extension? My horse trailer has a pointed type nose…. I don’t really like the $1900 price tag on the torklift and extension idea. Anyone have a better idea? Why can’t I find these parts used?! Anyone know of a place that sells them secondhand ?
Any help with this is appreciated.
1990 lance 9’6”
2001 f350 7.3 long bed dually diesel
1997 Logan 3 horse trailer gvw 7k
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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Joined: 04/09/2004
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What do you do? Load the camper, back up to the trailer, and see what you need to do. Maybe nothing. Maybe a long shank. Maybe you'll need an extension. You'll never know until you try.
You probably don't need a full 12" extension. Brophy makes/made a solid shank that's 6" or so longer than normal and rated for 10,000lbs. BH20 is for 2" receivers.
What's important is the trailer and camper don't come in contact on your sharpest turn. Going forward is not usually a problem. The rig usually can't turn that short. It's backing into a driveway in the pouring rain because you told your friend to be ready to jump in and go at noon, only to find out they haven't even started packing when you get there to pick them up, where you can jackknife and punch a hole in your pristine utility trailer with your jack. Ask me how I know.
If you have a 2-1/2" receiver you can do what I did, and get an 18" welded receiver tube, bore a 5/8" cross hole 12" from the existing one, so it acts as a reducer and an extension all in one.
Used? Good luck. There isn't a "Used Hitch Goodwill" store where you can just go and just walk in, grab a cart, and go to the Torklift Superhitch aisle and grab one off a shelf. They RARELY come up for sale used because they are rusted on the truck and not easy to remove. They usually end up going with the truck if and when its sold. If one does come up it's usually on a sale site like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, and doesn't last long.
The Torklift Superhitch is a solid solution and well worth the money. Do you really need it for this? Probably not.
Putting 10-ply tires on half ton trucks since aught-four.
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jimh406
Western MT
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Newer trucks had a 2 1/2 or 3 inch hitch. Those extensions can be had in shorter lengths, and be cut off.
The problem is you lose hitch capacity as you extend the extension which is why so many people use the Torklift Super Hitch. Reese makes a hitch and extension as well. You can get a Super Hitch that also be used for TC mounts. They are on Craigslist and eBay sometimes.
I don't think there is any way not to make a hitch improvement if you have to use an extension. Do load the TC and measure, and if you don't mind it being under your TC, you probably can get by without an extension.
'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
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Oneyeehaw
Norco ca
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You responders are amazing and I really appreciate your input! I actually use the brophy camper tie downs and they work amazing. Have hit some serious sidewinds and the camper stays nice and tight no issues.
I hate that there isn’t an aftermarket for torklift tho ??.
I’m going to look online for the brophy extension that’s rated for 10,000 lbs I really think it will be the few inches I need.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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jimh406 wrote:Newer trucks had a 2 1/2 or 3 inch hitch. Those extensions can be had in shorter lengths, and be cut off.
The problem is you lose hitch capacity as you extend the extension which is why so many people use the Torklift Super Hitch. Reese makes a hitch and extension as well. You can get a Super Hitch that also be used for TC mounts. They are on Craigslist and eBay sometimes.
I don't think there is any way not to make a hitch improvement if you have to use an extension. Do load the TC and measure, and if you don't mind it being under your TC, you probably can get by without an extension.
I think you’re confused although your info about hitch extensions on bigger receivers is flawed. Fortunately he does not need a 2.5” receiver likely. But if he chose to upgrade to 2.5”, the hitch extension game would be much more challenging.
1. Hitch extensions for 2.5 and 3” receivers are few and far between. Not sure I’ve even seen one offered for a 3” and only 1 for a 2.5” and it’s long
2. You can’t just “cut down” most/all hitch extensions. Doesn’t work like that. So not sure why you’d be saying it.
OP needs to learn a bit more about towing and hitch configurations.
* This post was
edited 02/13/23 12:03pm by Grit dog *
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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@Oneyeehaw, you’d be best to learn some more about the equipment you have and what it’s rated for and what you need to do to make it work before buying anything.
Sound like you have no knowledge or experience with hitch weights/ratings/ sizes, etc. by the nature of your first request.
Bad combination being ignorant of that stuff and haulin bay burners.
That said I got a lot of miles on OE 2” receivers with 12-24” extension hauling 6-7klb trailers without issue. Just can’t officially reccomend something that may not be safe in your situation.
And Torklift is “aftermarket” or idk what you were referring to. Cost? Looking for some cheap chinesium to hook your horses to? See my response above.
* This post was
edited 02/13/23 12:05pm by Grit dog *
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S Davis
Western WA
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Another issue is the pivot point under the overhang, make sure the trailer doesn’t contact the camper going through a dip.
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Oneyeehaw
Norco ca
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Thanks S.Davis!! I will check that.
One more question about the extension ;
I ordered the Brophy 10,000 lb. 12” extension… I won’t need the whole weird chains and stuff with that short of an extension right ?
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jimh406
Western MT
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Probably not. The "weird" chains are to keep it from moving since they are quite long. If you don't want the extra stability, then you won't need them.
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stevenal
Newport, OR, USA
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Joined: 03/16/2004
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https://www.crbrophy.com/hitchacc.html
I'm not seeing a 12" extension listed. Note that all the extensions reduce the capacity of the hitch they attach to.
I tow a 6K rated boat trailer using an extra long ball mount on the factory hitch. The rear overhang on my BF is short and does not drop down.
* This post was
edited 02/13/23 02:03pm by stevenal *
'18 Bigfoot 1500
Torklifts and Fastguns
'17 F350 Powerstroke Supercab SRW LB 4X4
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