I have a extended cab truck with a short bed. I am wanting to purhcase a gooseneck trailer. I happen to be looking at a trailer that has a straight goose, no taper. I was told that I could use a hitch extension to compensate for the bed length and it would help my turning radius. Does anyone have any experience with the hitch extensions and does it cause any towing or turning problems that I should be aware of?
Posted 2006-12-27 5:37 PM (#52930 - in reply to #52925) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 383 Location: Texas
I've seen them (assuming you're talking about the thing that goes on the trailer itself), can't really see how it would help. The main problem with short beds is the trailer hitting the back corner of the cab when you make a tight turn and the hitch extension won't help any with that (maybe slightly depending on the trailer), the trailer is still as wide when you turn and the hitch point on the truck is still in the same place. With a 5th wheel hitch you can get one that slides back so the trailer is farther back on the truck when you make a tight turn (that solves the trailer hitting the cab problem) but it isn't a good idea to tow with the hitch slid back and the 5th wheel hitch is expensive.
I have a shortbed, crewcab and with a fairly narrow trailer there's no problem turning.... haven't put my big trailer (8' wide) on it to see how it will turn because the trailer is way too big for a 1 ton.
Posted 2006-12-27 5:37 PM (#52931 - in reply to #52925) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
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Posts: 309 Location: MO
You'll find a couple of threads on extenders on this forum. I have a Pop-Up extender on my Bison gn. It's made for short bed trucks to allow th nose of the trailer to not interfere with the truck's window. It set the nose of the trailer back 9" while keeping the weight over the truck axle. Works fine for me.
Posted 2006-12-28 5:08 AM (#52954 - in reply to #52925) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
I have a 06 F-250 SD Ext Cab SB. I towed a 24ft 5th wheel the first time with this truck and didn't like the turning radius on the trailer. Just to close for comfort. Before I hooked up my 28ft GN I purchased an extender hitch coupler for the trailer. Best buy I could have made. I can put the trailer anywhere and jack knife it without a worry. I would suggest the extender hitch.. It sets the trailer back far enough that it doesn't affect the back of your cab and it also doesn't affect the way it tows. Easy to install also.
Posted 2006-12-28 7:21 AM (#52958 - in reply to #52925) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
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Posts: 648 Location: Coconut Creek, FL
A good friend who hauls all over the country competing in the mounted cowboy shooting events has one and loves it. He has a short bed Ford and a huge 4-Star LQ. He also used it with his previous trailer and highly recomends it.
I just got a 2H LQ that has a tapered nose and even though I can turn good with my Dodge short bed, I am going to get the extender so I don't have to worry. And I am amazed everytime I see someone turn their GN on a dime!
Posted 2006-12-30 12:20 PM (#53040 - in reply to #52925) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
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Posts: 346
Sorry for the delay. I had a 2500 truck with short bed. Thought I would need it. Sold it before trailer came in and now have a 1 ton long bed. Never been mounted. Make me a reasonable offer.
Posted 2006-12-30 7:10 PM (#53044 - in reply to #53040) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
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Posts: 366 Location: Albany, Oregon
Not to confuse the issue but there are 2 types of extenders. The difference is one keeps the weight ahead of the axle and the other doesn't. The B&W moves the ball futher back (4") and so is the pin weight.(not a big deal but it does)
and the type that replaces the adjustable coulpler on the trailer doesn't. The pin weight is still in the same place. Also the pop up will give you more room for turning.
I have a long bed so I have no need for either but just thought I point out the difference.
Posted 2006-12-31 7:00 AM (#53056 - in reply to #52925) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662 Location: Vanzant, Missouri
I'm using the pop up type and love it. You can jack knife the trailer and still have plenty of clearence....It comes with a cable so you don't have to get in the bed to disconnect the ball, but still have to to undo the chains...
Posted 2007-01-07 9:35 PM (#53486 - in reply to #53472) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by ngrimsley@dcps.org on 2007-01-07 6:13 PM which is safer?
Xyzer already expressed the most important points... Weight placement and swing radius. I would lean toward the POP-up, since hitch weight placement is the whole point of a GN.
Posted 2007-01-08 8:32 AM (#53502 - in reply to #52925) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
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Posts: 4
Location: UTICA KY
I have looked online and they run from $259- $730. Why such a drastic difference? Are there models I should stay away from?
I have busted out my back window once with a 20 ft trailer. I am geting ready to purchase an even larger trailer and I sure don't want to repeat that mistake. I want this extension but I am unsure why there is such a price diversity. Any thoughts??
Posted 2007-01-08 8:40 AM (#53503 - in reply to #53502) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
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Posts: 1283 Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
Originally written by ngrimsley@dcps.org on 2007-01-08 8:32 AM
I have busted out my back window once with a 20 ft trailer. I am geting ready to purchase an even larger trailer and I sure don't want to repeat that mistake. I want this extension but I am unsure why there is such a price diversity. Any thoughts??
I don't know why such a price difference, but I do know that the length of the trailer did not break out your window. It doesn't matter if the trailer is 40 feet long or 10 feet long, the width at the nose, plus too tight of a turn is what broke your window.
Posted 2007-01-08 7:47 PM (#53543 - in reply to #52925) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
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Posts: 4
Location: UTICA KY
I don't recall saying that it was the trailer length that broke out my window. I think what has been said in this thread is that if one's coupler is moved back nine inches it would definitely keep that person from breaking out the window in my truck(again).
Posted 2007-01-08 9:33 PM (#53557 - in reply to #53486) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 366 Location: Albany, Oregon
Originally written by hosspuller on 2007-01-07 7:35 PM
Originally written by ngrimsley@dcps.org on 2007-01-07 6:13 PM which is safer?
Xyzer already expressed the most important points... Weight placement and swing radius. I would lean toward the POP-up, since hitch weight placement is the whole point of a GN.
hosspuller, I'm gonna add this...what do you think?
If you are over trucked, and under trailered the B&W is fine. If you are under trucked, and over trailered I would go with the popup. I would not say one is unsafe, it is how you abuse it.
Posted 2007-01-08 10:04 PM (#53564 - in reply to #53044) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
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Posts: 143 Location: southeast U.S.A.
xyzer, Maybe I'm just missing something here , but how does the B&W differ from the pop-up as to where the pin load is placed with the exception of the pop-up being 5" further to the rear? That is unless the B&W sits directly on the frame when installed.I haven't seen either in use so I really am curious as to how that can be.
Posted 2007-01-09 12:14 AM (#53572 - in reply to #53564) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
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Posts: 366 Location: Albany, Oregon
Originally written by Ardly on 2007-01-08 8:04 PM
xyzer, Maybe I'm just missing something here , but how does the B&W differ from the pop-up as to where the pin load is placed with the exception of the pop-up being 5" further to the rear? That is unless the B&W sits directly on the frame when installed.I haven't seen either in use so I really am curious as to how that can be.
Fair question Ardly now let see if I can explain it.... First with both type hitch extensions you use the same frame mounted G/N hitch assembly usually with the pin weight or ball about 4" ahead of the rear axle..... Now just to help aid in explaining the difference lets say we had a 4 foot B&W extension. The pin weight is applied at the ball, at 4 feet that would basicly give you a bumper pull. But if we had a 4 foot pop-up..... it is a rigid part of the trailer but still places the pin weight at the original location of 4" ahead of the axle. When the pin weight is ahead of the rear axle it transfers some weight to the front axle thats is one reason they tow so well. As you move the pin weight behind the rear axle all of the weight is on the rear axle plus it transfers weight away from the front axle like a bumper pull. I believe that is why a B&W is only a 4" extention they don't want to put the pin weight behind the axle but will settle for over the axle. One advantage to the pop-up is it will work with all type goosneck hitches. The B&W will only work on the ones that will accept there turnover ball. Did I explain it OK?
Posted 2007-01-09 2:48 AM (#53575 - in reply to #53572) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
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Posts: 143 Location: southeast U.S.A.
xyzer,
Thanks for the explanation, I think I have it now, kinda/ sorta maybe? I had thought about your original posting several times and wondered about the idea of it but allways came up blank in the end. After your reply and some more thought on it , it began to make since to me. Thanks again, Ardly
Posted 2007-01-09 7:03 AM (#53578 - in reply to #52925) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
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Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Looks to me like which ever one you use the pin weight is in the same place on the truck frame. Whether it pivots on the ball or pivots on the trailer hitch, the weight is still on the truck hitch that's bolted to the truck's frame. So if you move it back, forward, sideways, 4" or 4', the trailer still rests in the center of the truck's hitch. Yes, approach and departure angles will be different with the extenders, but for the most part the weight will be where it would be without the extender. Simple solution, don't buy a short bed to pull your gooseneck trailers. I got a 8' long bed and wished it were 10'.
Posted 2007-01-09 8:18 AM (#53582 - in reply to #53557) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
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Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by xyzer on 2007-01-08 8:33 PM
hosspuller, I'm gonna add this...what do you think?
If you are over trucked, and under trailered the B&W is fine. If you are under trucked, and over trailered I would go with the popup. I would not say one is unsafe, it is how you abuse it.
Xyzer... That's a fine explanation of the hitch differences you wrote to Ardly.
To your question. In an overtrucked situation, the 4 inches a B&W extender moves the applied weight is insignificant. Once the limit of the truck is reached, that 4 inches causes the rear axle weight limit to be further breached unlike the Pop-up. Also, the B&W extender loads the ball hitch's rear mounting more too.
In simpler terms, the B&W can be the "straw" that breaks the truck. The Pop-up is almost weight neutral.
Posted 2007-01-09 8:25 AM (#53583 - in reply to #52925) Subject: Keifer Built trailers
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Posts: 4
Location: UTICA KY
While we are on the subject of pulling trailers. I am considering buying a 2004 Kiefer Built, 11ft SW. Any comments on the quality of a Keifer VS Sundowner or 4Star? I have a Sundowner Valuelight but want to move up in size and to an all aluminum trailer. Anybody with Keifer experience out there? I am selling my Valuelight on HTWcom and I'm ready to buy!
I know a little about the 2001-2001 rear doors being recalled because they were unsafe. What about the 2004 model Genesis? Is it a sound and solid trailer?
Posted 2007-03-09 11:55 AM (#56923 - in reply to #52925) Subject: RE: Hitch Extension
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Posts: 134 Location: Coarsegold, CA
Is there a shorter "Pop-Up" than 9". I have turning clearance but an enclosed front of the trailer and can't open the tailgate while hitched. I only need 4" but like the idea of leaving the weight where it belongs. Anyone?Does anyone make a shock absorber/extender? That is what I am really after.
Hitch Extension
