6 Best Extended Ball Mounts For Tight RV Storage That Maximize Every Inch

You’ve found the perfect RV storage spot—it’s secure, close to home, and the price is right. The only problem is the impossibly tight angle required to back in, threatening your truck’s bumper and the trailer’s propane tanks with every inch you reverse. This is where an extended ball mount transforms from a simple piece of metal into your most valuable storage tool, buying you the precious inches that make the difference between frustration and a perfect fit.

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Why Extended Ball Mounts Are a Storage Game-Changer

That heart-stopping crunch of metal on metal during a tight turn is a sound no RVer wants to hear. Standard hitches keep the trailer’s pivot point very close to the tow vehicle, creating a limited turning radius. This is the root cause of dented bumpers, smashed tail lights, and damaged propane tank covers when trying to maneuver into a cramped storage bay or a tight campsite.

An extended ball mount, or a hitch with a longer shank, physically moves the trailer’s pivot point further away from your vehicle. This simple change has a massive impact. It dramatically increases the angle you can achieve between your truck and trailer before they make contact, effectively preventing a jackknife situation in low-speed maneuvering. Suddenly, that 90-degree turn into your storage unit becomes possible without a dozen corrections.

But the real magic for storage isn’t just about turning. That extra space means you can open your truck’s tailgate completely while hitched, a lifesaver when you need to grab gear before unhooking. More importantly, it gives you more "swing room" for the trailer’s front end. This allows you to position the trailer precisely in a narrow spot without your truck’s rear corners dictating your final angle. It’s the key to using every last inch of a tight space.

CURT 45048: A Versatile and Reliable Extension

The CURT 45048 isn’t a complete ball mount; it’s a receiver extension. Think of it as a simple, heavy-duty steel tube that slides into your truck’s receiver, providing a new receiver hitch further back. You then slide your existing ball mount into the extension. It’s a straightforward, modular solution for when you already have a hitch you like but just need more length.

Its primary advantage is its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. If you only need extra clearance occasionally for getting into that one tricky storage spot, this is an easy way to get it without replacing your entire hitch setup. It comes in various lengths, allowing you to choose just how much extra space you need to create between your bumper and the trailer’s A-frame.

However, you must understand the tradeoff. Using any extension reduces your vehicle’s tongue weight and overall towing capacity, typically by about a third, due to the added leverage. The CURT extension is no exception. It also introduces an extra connection point, which can add a bit of slack or "slop" to your setup. It’s a fantastic tool for low-speed parking maneuvers, but you must respect its reduced capacity ratings when on the road.

B&W Tow & Stow: Stowable Design for Max Clearance

The B&W Tow & Stow is famous for its clever design, and that’s exactly what makes it a storage superstar. Its main feature is the ability to swing the entire ball assembly underneath the shank when not in use. It goes from a fully functional, multi-ball hitch to a clean, unobtrusive receiver in seconds, with no tools required.

This stowable feature is the key to maximizing every inch of a tight garage or storage unit. After you’ve unhitched your trailer, you can stow the ball mount, and suddenly you’ve gained back 8-10 inches of length. That can easily be the difference between the garage door closing or having to park your expensive truck outside. It also saves your shins from getting bruised every time you walk behind your vehicle.

While it may not offer the extreme length of a dedicated extension, the B&W provides a moderate extension over a standard mount, enough to significantly improve turning clearance. The combination of adjustable height, multiple ball sizes, and the brilliant stow-away feature makes it one of the most practical, everyday solutions. It solves the clearance problem while towing and the length problem while parked.

Gen-Y GH-327: Ultimate Adjustability for Awkward Spots

The Gen-Y Torsion-Flex hitch looks like something from a sci-fi movie, with its distinctive vertical stack of receiver tubes. This design provides an incredible range of height adjustment, which is its most obvious feature. You can dial in the perfect trailer level with precision, which is a huge benefit on its own.

But for tight storage, its value is more subtle. Awkward spots are rarely level. The Gen-Y allows you to adjust the hitch height to perfectly match the trailer on an incline or uneven patch of ground, making it dramatically easier to hook up or unhitch in a difficult location. Furthermore, the robust construction gives you confidence when the trailer is at an extreme angle to the truck. Some models also come with longer shanks, directly addressing the clearance issue.

This level of engineering comes at a cost—Gen-Y hitches are heavy and represent a significant investment. They are overkill if all you need is a few extra inches of length on flat ground. But for RVers who constantly face challenging terrain, uneven storage lots, or have multiple trailers, the unmatched adjustability and rugged build quality make it a tool that solves problems other hitches can’t touch.

BulletProof Hitches: Extreme Duty for Heavy Rigs

When you see a BulletProof Hitch, the first word that comes to mind is "overbuilt." These hitches are milled from solid steel and are designed for the heaviest of loads. Their primary selling point is extreme-duty strength and reliability, giving you total peace of mind when towing a massive fifth wheel or a heavy toy hauler.

For the RVer with a heavy rig, finding an extended mount that doesn’t feel like a safety compromise can be tough. BulletProof Hitches solves this by offering their ultra-strong adjustable hitches with longer-than-standard shanks. You get the extra clearance needed to prevent contact between your dually fenders and the trailer’s nose cap, without worrying if the hitch itself is a weak point.

Like the Gen-Y, these are not lightweight or inexpensive. A BulletProof Hitch is a serious piece of equipment that you can feel in your back when you lift it. But if you’re towing at or near your vehicle’s maximum capacity, you cannot afford to introduce a weak link. This hitch provides the necessary extension while maintaining a rating that often exceeds the truck’s own capacity.

Weigh Safe Drop Hitch: Precision Towing and Fit

The Weigh Safe hitch has a brilliant feature that sets it apart: a mechanical gauge built right into the ball mount that measures your trailer’s tongue weight in real-time. This is a massive safety feature, as improper tongue weight is a leading cause of trailer sway and instability on the road.

This precision directly translates to better maneuvering in tight spaces. A properly balanced trailer behaves predictably. When you know your tongue weight is dialed in (typically 10-15% of total trailer weight), you can back up with confidence, knowing the trailer will respond exactly as you expect. The adjustable height ensures the trailer is perfectly level, which also contributes to smooth, controlled reversing.

While its main job is safety through data, the Weigh Safe hitch provides the adjustability and solid construction needed for tough parking jobs. It helps you perfect your setup before you even start backing in. For the RVer who values data, safety, and precision, this hitch provides the confidence to tackle a tricky storage spot knowing the entire rig is perfectly balanced and ready to obey every command.

Reese Towpower 7031300: A Simple, Sturdy Solution

Sometimes, the best solution is the simplest one. The Reese Towpower 7031300 is a classic extended ball mount—a single, solid piece of forged steel with a longer shank. There are no adjustments, no moving parts, and no complex mechanisms. It’s designed to do one job: provide a secure connection with extra clearance.

This simplicity is its greatest strength. With no pins to worry about or bolts to check, it’s arguably the most reliable design possible. If you have one truck and one trailer, and you know the exact drop or rise you need, a fixed mount like this is a "set it and forget it" solution. You get the added inches for your turning radius without any added complexity.

Of course, the lack of adjustability is also its main drawback. If you get a new truck with a different ride height or rent a different trailer, this mount may no longer work. But for a dedicated, consistent setup, a simple extended ball mount offers a rugged, cost-effective, and foolproof way to gain the clearance you need to slip your RV into that perfect, but tight, storage space.

Key Factors in Choosing Your Extended Ball Mount

Before you buy anything, you must internalize one critical fact: extending the ball mount reduces your vehicle’s towing capacity. By increasing the leverage on the hitch and the vehicle’s frame, you lower the amount of weight you can safely tow and the amount of tongue weight the hitch can handle. Always check the manufacturer’s specifications for the de-rated capacity and ensure it’s still well above your trailer’s actual weight.

With that safety warning out of the way, your decision comes down to matching the hitch to your specific problem. Ask yourself these questions:

• True Length Needed: Don’t guess. Measure how much more clearance you need to open your tailgate or make a tight turn. Buy for your need, not for the maximum available.
• Adjustability vs. Simplicity: Do you tow multiple trailers or park on uneven ground often? If so, an adjustable hitch (Gen-Y, B&W) is worth it. If you have one consistent setup, a fixed hitch (Reese) is simpler and more robust.
• Hitch Weight: An extreme-duty hitch can weigh over 60 pounds. Be honest with yourself about whether you’re willing and able to lift that much every time you hook up.
• Stowability: Is your primary problem the hitch sticking out when you’re parked in a tight garage? If so, the B&W Tow & Stow is in a class of its own.

The best approach is to identify your single biggest frustration. Is it the fear of hitting the cab while turning? The inability to open your tailgate? The sheer length of your truck and hitch in your garage? The right extended ball mount is the one that directly solves your most pressing storage challenge without compromising safety on the road.

Ultimately, an extended ball mount is a problem-solver that buys you space, flexibility, and peace of mind. By carefully considering your specific vehicle, trailer, and storage situation, you can choose a tool that not only makes parking easier but also protects your valuable investment. The right hitch turns a stressful parking puzzle into a simple, repeatable process.