ECOTRIC Truck Bed Hitch Extender 2 in 1 Design Foldable Extension Pick Up

Works Great for transporting my 12 foot fishing kayak in my shorted truck (which also has reduced length due to roll up bed cover box). I purchased this particular extender for its folding design - stores as one complete component, rather than breaking down into multiple pieces. Review Videos demonstrate that this system has a lot of movement and rattles around when installed- yes, it does, until you put weight on it- an 85lb kayak settles it right down. ***Also, hoops on the lateral arms can be stabilized to the hitch receiver safety chain eyes with ratchet straps, and an anti-rattle clamp can be added to the receiver to further firm up the entire system, if necessary.

I've been using this extender for a little over a year now, mostly to haul my 11-foot fishing kayak in my Toyota Tacoma. No problems and it is easy to install and is very stable when loaded.

The bad: The instructions were more how to use once assembled and warnings than how to assemble. The video on Amazon made it really easy to assemble. As I worked on it, I realized that it came with what I am guessing is a manufacturer's defect because it is so hard and sturdy that I can't imagine it would have been damaged this way during transport. The brackets that are intended to secure the frame when folded to be able to lift and move were spread apart at the top more than they should be. They are so far apart that the pin that works to keep it open doesn't reach to lock it closed. I guess if one was to be damaged, this is better. Unfortunately, if I were to replace the part, it would be the largest part. We went scavenger hunting in the garage for how to secure it. We used a washing machine transport screw (that I don't know why I saved when I got my washing machine delivered) and the packaging for a chisel to put on the tip of the screw for safety (since it is so sharp). The bracket is bent enough that although the screw reaches, it doesn't enter directly, however it just so happens that I can screw it in and it gets past the bend. You can see in the attached photos the way that I "McGuyvered" it with a comparison of just how short the included pin is and why it wouldn't reach. I may look for a replacement pin that is longer than the supplied one, or I may just leave it be, since it is for storing that I am using the screw and not when in use. The good: I got this to take kayaks on trips with my mom. It really seems super strong. There is no way that I can bend it back. It is heavy. I am better sharing the weight with my mom to carry it. We like that it can be folded down and put out of the way. The folding action has no play in ours. I don't have enough space for a washer as advised by another reviewer, which makes me further believe that the manufacturing processes are not very precise. We will be mounting it and taking Kayaks out this weekend and are very hopeful that this is exactly what we needed. I would buy it again, but I am guessing there will be toss ups what defect could be received.

Perfect for my needs. I made a bracket that mounted over my wheel well so I carry it with me all the time. Perfect for lumberyard trips as well as transporting my 13’ canoe with a 5’ bed. I’ve had it loaded more than I know I should with lumber and it held up perfectly. It’s a little loose where it folds but doesn’t affect usability. You need one!

Received in a box that must have fallen apart in shipping Box looked like it was taped up in the fedex delivery ground truck Full of holes I figured half of the stuff would be missing Being a holy box But the box gods came to the rescue Everything was in the box I looked at various cargo extensions before purchasing this one My main reason on this one is The measurement between the tie downs is 48” So a 4x8 sheet of plywood can be carried flat on this unit All of the others were less the 48” wide Folds up. A very nice feature for storage, and has handles for carrying Others manufacturers do not fold up or are 48” wide Seems to be made very well Price of this item is a bonus I would recommend this item

I purchased this hitch extender because I like the foldable design and the fact that I could use it to carry kayaks and 4 ft wide sheets of plywood, etc. Probably would do all of those things but the package I received was in rough condition and was a missing a key component -- i.e. the hinge that connects the two arms and provides the primary folding mechanism was completely missing. I did not realize this until I had pulled everything out of the package, folded up the beat up box I received, pulled out the instructions and noticed 'something ain't right'. Mistakes happen so I don't usually get too upset about these things. However, this wasn't missing the bolt or a nut that I could replace at a hardware store. This was missing a major piece which suggests it came from the factory that way or else the 3rd party seller grabbed it from the package to solve a different issue. Either way, it seems like a pretty significant miss. But, hey, it can be rectified by just sending out the missing piece, right? Not so fast cowboy. I went to my Amazon account to get contact info which was provided for the manufacturer. The contact information provides a link to the company website and support, which I followed and sent an email. The company, ECOTRIC, appears to be primarily concerned with selling electric bikes and these types of things are a side-gig. They replied to my email within a day and told me -- sorry, you have wrong department, we only deal with bikes. No additional information on how to get to 'right department' or forward it or anything like that. Next, I tried the phone number provided. After all, I didn't want to return, I just wanted to complete the item I purchased. Welp, the phone number Amazon provides does not exist based on the Verizon message provided when I attempted to call it. Ended up returning the product, which was a challenge in that it's pretty heavy and I had generally messed up the original box not worrying about having all of the pieces (that one is on me). Nothing that a lot of duct tape wouldn't fix. Unfortunately, the options to return lean towards dropping off at a UPS store -- the nearest one to me is 30+ minutes a way. However, they also offered a UPS pickup the next day, which I had to wait around for since you don't know when they might show up. All in all, a pretty significant waste of time all around. Now, obviously, if you are lucky enough to get all the pieces of this, it seems like it could be a fine product. I wouldn't know as I didn't even have enough pieces to even determine if things were built with reasonable tolerances. If you're like me and don't get a complete shipment, you're in for a tremendous time suck. So you gotta' ask yourself, 'is it worth the risk?' There are similar products out there, many of them less expensive and with pretty good odds of having better product support since it doesn't get much worse then no product support.

I am very happy with this hitch. At first I had a hard time deciding between this one and another mode. This one is heavy and could easily handle the weight of my double Kayak or my solid Paddle board. I found this much easier to use than having to strap the items onto the roof. It is easy to install, add a couple straps and a flag and you are ready to go.

Outstanding piece of equipment, well made with substantial steel parts. This will definitely last a lifetime with proper use. The only downside it the instructions that come with it. If you aren't mechanically inclined you will have a hard time putting this together. The instructions were obviously written by an idiot that didn't have to use them to assemble. Logical thought of how it should function is how you will assemble it as the "instructions" are worse than useless. All that aside, it does what it is intended for and very well at that. Perfect addition to my Reese-Hitch to transport my canoe when going fishing or canoe camping. Well worth the price and recommended to anyone looking for a support bracket to extend the bed of their truck at tailgate level. AAA+