Extension for OEM F-450 2.5" receiver?

[unionhill]

Hi all! I first came on this board in 97 when I bought my first Powerstroke ( F250HD SC 7.3 ), now on my third ( F-450 CC Lariat ) which I just brought home today!

My question is this: One of my reasons for upgrading from my 6.0 350 was to tow a boat in addition to carrying a 10.6" camper. I know I will need a hitch extension. Probably can't go wrong with Tork-lift SuperHitch, but would like to save some money and use the 2.5" Class V oem hitch if possible - it looks pretty strong and my current boat/trailer combo isn't over 4000 lbs. I've done some searching for a compatible hitch extension - does anyone know of a source? Any general advice? Thanks!

[SmokeyWren]

For that little boat, you don't need the heavy duty 2.5" stuff. So if you need 18" or less extension, then install the 2.5" to 2" reducer, then use a 2" receiver extension. Reese makes up to 18" receiver extension in 2".
Receiver Extensions | Drawtite | Reese | Hidden Hitch | Blue Ox | Rola

But if you need 24" to 41" extension, then Reese/Drawtite makes the TowBeast extension for your 2.5" receiver. Not cheap, but you know what they say about a boat: it's a big hole in the water into which you pour money.
Tow Beast Extensions | Drawtite | Reese | Hidden Hitch | Blue Ox | Rola

[unionhill]

Thanks Smokey - with a 10.6 camper I will need about 30" extension... will have to measure once I get the camper on my new truck. Between the two sizes I'd probably have to go for 41".

I have seen the tow beast hitch extension in searches I have done, but the description includes "for use with Tow Beast receivers only", plus it seems to have a bend in it. Do you know for sure that it will work with the OEM hitch? I suspect if I call Reese they will say no because they want to sell their own hitch. Thanks!

[Reg Reich]

I bought my extension & receiver from Adventure RV Part Sales in Sieverville TN. It was the best price I could find anywhere. Good people to deal with.
Lance - Okanagan - Eagle Cap - Travel Lite - Truck Campers


Reg

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by unionhill

I have seen the tow beast hitch extension in searches I have done, but the description includes "for use with Tow Beast receivers only", plus it seems to have a bend in it. Do you know for sure that it will work with the OEM hitch?

A couple of years ago when the Ford 2.5" receiver was first available, I heard that the Reese 2.5" adapter that allows you to use a 2" drawbar wouldn't simply plug into the Ford 2.5" receiver. But I think Ford fixed that nonsense soon thereafter. 2.5" is 2.5", so a 2.5" Reese extension should fit in a Ford 2.5" receiver. If it won't fit easily, you may have to do some grinding - or maybe find a bigger hammer - to make it fit.

But any decent Reese/Drawtite hitch store should be able to tell you when they sell you the extension.

[rednexx]

You don't say how big or heavy your boat is. Adding an extension greatly reduces your towing capacity. With the 'Tow beast 2.5" 34" extension', you can tow 4500#'s, and with WD hitch, 6000#'s.
It doesn't say anything about tongue weight, but I think that is one of the most important issues. When you add weight to length, you add a lot more downward force and stress on the receiver.
I had a fellow/freind that wanted to buy a 24" extension to tow his 34' toy hauler so he could put his snowmobiles on the deck in his truck. I wouldn't even sell it to him!
In my opinion, hitches weren't designed to stick 3-4' out the back of your truck.
If your boat is light enough, and the extension you want to buy has the appropriate rating, the I'd say go for it.
When stuff hits the fan, engineers have put a rating on them and all liabilities are on the them and the company that sold/installed it.

[Reg Reich]

I had to remove my spare tire to use the extension without cutting it shorter. I have a 10.5 Lance Camper & pulled my 5x8 Hallmark Cargo (loaded) all the way to Alaska (15,000km trip) & back with no problems. The only thing I changed was to use a large bolt & nut for a pin instead of the conventional pin. I do not know how heavy your boat is but if you need to use any torsion bars you will need the 2.5 receiver. JMHO

Reg

[unionhill]

Originally Posted by Reg Reich

I had to remove my spare tire to use the extension without cutting it shorter. I have a 10.5 Lance Camper & pulled my 5x8 Hallmark Cargo (loaded) all the way to Alaska (15,000km trip) & back with no problems. The only thing I changed was to use a large bolt & nut for a pin instead of the conventional pin. I do not know how heavy your boat is but if you need to use any torsion bars you will need the 2.5 receiver. JMHO

Reg

Are you talking about the Drawtite Tow beast extension? I have a 2.5" receiver ( OEM Ford on the 450 ). Using the shorter extension at the 34" length should work for me, but I'm concerned about the bend in the extension... not sure if the tow beast hitch is angled differently than mine.

As I wrote above, my boat & trailer is under 4000 lbs.

[Mr_Roboto]

30" is a whole lot of leverage on that hitch. I mean what do you have, 4 or 5 inches in the hitch?

Personally I would extend the tongue of the boat trailer first.

[Reg Reich]

Yes. The Tow Beast. The bend is perfect & comes up under the Camper at the perfect angel. The Tow Beast extension was made for Lance for their camprers. It is a perfect setup for me.

Reg