Anyone using a hitch extender?

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

In the original post it states: "Need to pull with the tailgate down on truck".

Duh! Missed that. In that case, I agree. Never a good idea to tow with the tailgate down.

[LFM]

I have the short box on my crew cab Ecoboost. If I added 6-8 inches to a hitch, wouldn't it still be closer to the rear axles than on a long bed?

[Naper]

Originally Posted by LFM

I have the short box on my crew cab Ecoboost. If I added 6-8 inches to a hitch, wouldn't it still be closer to the rear axles than on a long bed?

I think you will find the wheel base is longer on the 6.5' box truck not the overhang

[Protagonist]

F150 supercab ecoboost comes with three box lengths, according to the Ford F150 website:
5.5' box = 133.3-inch wheelbase;
6.5' box = 144.5-inch wheelbase (12-inch longer box and 11-inch longer wheelbase than the 5.5);
8.0' box = 163.1-inch wheelbase (18-inch longer box and 19-inch longer wheelbase than the 6.5).

Longer box means longer wheelbase, but not a longer distance from the rear axle to the hitch. So, no, an extension hitch doesn't equate to a longer box in terms of vehicle geometry.

Here's a comparison for you: The Airstream Interstate has a rated towing capacity of 7500 pounds. The 2013 Extended version, however, is only 16 inches longer (all behind the rear axle), but has the rated towing capacity reduced to only 5000 pounds, for exactly the same hitch receiver. And this is on a vehicle with a 170-inch wheelbase.

No one can stop you from using an extension if you really want to, but you will lose towing capacity if you do. And you'll need longer safety chains, longer wiring to plug in your trailer, and probably some other modifications to either the trailer or the tow venicle.

[tkasten]

Take look at Blue Ox Blue Ox - Weight Distribution

I use the longer shank and my tail gate clears the elect. jack. Works great! I'm only pulling a 22' Safari.

[MrUKToad]

It's all about leverage. The further you put the ball from the rear axle, the more leverage will be applied to that axle. Trailer and TV handling will be adversely affected; it's simple physics. Of course, we all trade things off to get what we want, in this case a working tailgate, so if your TV can cope with the extra load then I guess you go for that extension, but it won't work as well as if you have the shorter shank.