Don’t buy cheap trailer parts

[IanG629]

Guys don’t buy cheap trailer parts and maybe don’t overload them a little bit or your 200 mile river trip will end up with your ski less than half a foot from hitting the road (ski is ok).. We fixed it and made it there though

 

[user_error]

What trailer part failed?

 

[bird]

I see an extension in front of the hitch hauler with another hitch on that...can't tell if this is a 5th wheel trailer or an R/V. That's a long lever!

Class 2 lever: " Load is between effort and fulcrum. This is used as a force multiplier."

 

[Myself]

I agree, that's a pretty long lever and it already had over 300 pounds of weight applied........and then the tongue weight of the following trailer...Hell, I'm kind of surprised you made it more than a mile from the house LOL!!

A quick look at lever calculations puts you at WELL OVER 2000# of force applied to that hitch! Add moment force of the tongue over bumps and you might as well have had a Volkswagon sitting on that hitch hauler!

 

[Sparkplug]

Don't tow if you don't have a basic understanding of physics should be the title

There's a bunch of dudes on here that tow like that. Wild as hell

 

[IanG629]

What trailer part failed?

A hitch extension that had too much weight put on it. We had no choice lesson learned

 

[Sparkplug]

I literally just got off the phone with geico. I have a full coverage policy on my ram 2500. They told me absolutely I would not be covered if I filed a claim and it was found I had used a hitch extension. Maybe your policy is different. But seems like a good way to ruin your entire life financially.

 

[CD155MX]

Yikes, happy to hear the ski is ok though.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

A hitch extension that had too much weight put on it. We had no choice lesson learned

There is always a choice, this just happened to be a bad one.

 

[KMN]

Oh please show us a picture of the trailer connected. It doesn't look like a little one.

 

[JC-SuperJet]

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Let me guess Harbor Freight ?

 

[Sparkplug]

Let me guess Harbor Freight ?

I've towed a 10k toy hauler all over the United States for 2 years on a hf hitch.

What's funny is thinking the hitch in America. Wasn't made with Chinese steel.

Imagine getting your superjet ran over and destroyed. And having to pay for the guys truck that did it

To me. Stupid poop like this. That can kill people. Just makes me mad. And it's not a joking matter. It's pure negligence and idiocy on the op. And he has the nerve to blame the parts. This is a common occurrence nowadays.

 

[Myself]

You can still accomplish towing all of this in a much safer manner. Put a standard hitch on the camper and use that for the trailer. Get some 2" square tubing welded to the rear of the trailer and gusseted, then put the hitch hauler back there.

 

[harrymank]

Is that a rental camper also?

 

[volvo_cowgirl]

Oh man that's rough. Glad it wasn't any worse and the ski survived.

I was always taught to only use hitch extensions that are solid metal, not a hollow tube. They're pricy.

I don't fault you for getting fooled that your setup would work, there are never clear instructions or disclaimers on towing accessories. Manufacturers intentionally hide ratings and safety warnings in hopes that people won't see them and buy their product "because it's cheaper".

A word of caution: many insurance companies prohibit towing with a hitch extension, including a hitch mount jet ski rack. Check your liability insurance before you tow with one of these again.

 

[Sparkplug]

Oh man that's rough. Glad it wasn't any worse and the ski survived.

I was always taught to only use hitch extensions that are solid metal, not a hollow tube. They're pricy.

I don't fault you for getting fooled that your setup would work, there are never clear instructions or disclaimers on towing accessories. Manufacturers intentionally hide ratings and safety warnings in hopes that people won't see them and buy their product "because it's cheaper".

A word of caution: many insurance companies prohibit towing with a hitch extension, including a hitch mount jet ski rack. Check your liability insurance before you tow with one of these again.

Adjusters also have no idea about towing. I called state farm for poops and giggles. The guy told me I could tow my TOY HAULER with a extension. I had to TELL HIM that the extension had no certification or rating. After which he completely retracted his statement.

Do Not believe anything your adjuster TELLS you on the phone. Get it in documented email. Otherwise you could be sol easily.

Edit; I have geico. And they have explicitly stated I cannot tow with a extension or hauler unless it is certified and I am under the weight rating. Which is basically impossible.

Also your insurance can deny the claim when you overload your 1500 Truck like its a 3500. Get a real truck and a real tow setup if your going to tow. Don't take mine and others lives in your hands.

 

[bored&stroked]

Using a hitch hauler AND towing a trailer behind it is on my big list of no no's.

 

[SXIPro]

I was super pissed when my insurance company denied the claim I put in on my Miata after I toploaded it with a Yamaha SUV 1200. Nowhere in the owners manual or my policy did it say I shouldn't.........

 

[mikidymac]

As said, the failure was the hollow extension.
When I made my hitch hauler for towing a single jetski trailer I used 2" solid bar stock sleeved with 2" ID hitch stock for the body of the hauler. It is heavy AF but will not bend or break.