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Hitch Extender GuideHitch Extenders can provide additional clearance for your StowAway2 Cargo Carrier or Rack. However, there are a number of safety issues to consider prior to using a Hitch Extender.
2) When to Use a Hitch Extender
3) Hitch Extender Safety Information
4) Recommended Hitch Extender Setup
For information about accommodating rear-mounted spare tires and ladders, please refer to our Spare Tire Clearance Guide. To check if your vehicle has a known fit issue, please reference our Online Fit Guide.
A Hitch Extender is an automotive accessory that inserts into a trailer hitch. Generally, an extender is 2” wide by 2” tall, with a variable length (6” to 12”). The purpose of a hitch extender is to increase the clearance for a hitch-mounted accessory, as it will set the accessory (a bike rack or cargo carrier, for example) further back away from the vehicle.
2) When to use a Hitch Extender
It may be necessary to use a Hitch Extender with your StowAway2 Cargo Carrier or Rack if:
- Your vehicle has a large rear-mounted spare tire
- Your vehicle has a large rear-mounted ladder
- Your vehicle has a camper shell that overhangs your bumper
- If your aftermarket trailer hitch is set well underneath your bumper
If your vehicle faces one of the above situations, please read the Spare Tire Clearance Guide. This guide will help you determine if a Hitch Extender will be necessary to properly use a StowAway2 Cargo Carrier on your vehicle.
3) Hitch Extender Safety Information
Due to the weight of a StowAway2 Cargo Carrier or Rack, we only recommend using a Hitch Extender on a Class 3 or above (2”) hitch. We do not recommend using a hitch extender on a 1.25” trailer hitch. We do not recommend using a Hitch Extender longer than 7 inches (measure from hitch pin hole to hitch pin hole on the Extender). We do not recommend using a Hitch Expander (a specialty extender that converts a vehicle’s 1.25” hitch to a 2” opening).
The use of a Hitch Extender in conjunction with a StowAway2 Cargo Carrier will decrease the carrying capacity of the StowAway2 by 1/3. Therefore, you should attempt to limit the weight of your gear to roughly 130 pounds when you use your StowAway2 with an Extender.
4) Recommended Hitch Extender Setup
In the picture below, you will see an ideal Hitch Extender setup when used with a StowAway2 Cargo Carrier.
Please note the following:
1. We recommend using a Locking Hitch Pin to secure the Hitch Extender into the hitch. We recommend using a second Locking Hitch Pin to secure the carrier’s frame into the Extender. Locking both hitch pin holes is the surest way to prevent theft.
2. We recommend using a Hitch-Coupling Tightener to secure the junction between the Hitch Extender and the hitch. We recommend using a second Hitch-Coupling Tightener to secure the junction between the carrier’s frame and the Hitch Extender. Using two Hitch-Coupling Tighteners is the surest way to eliminate any wobble or sway that might occur when using a StowAway2 Cargo Carrier in conjunction with a hitch extender.
