Question for those towing with pickups

[jamieb1086]

2016 Chevy High Country 2500 Duramax pulling a 2016 FC front bedroom, equal-I-zer hitch. Can open the tailgate even with the truck turned a bit.

[Wconley]

We have a 2013 F150 and 2013 23D. We couldn't until I loosened the three set screws on the jack head and rotate it 90degrees. Took me 5 minutes and now we can open our tailgate fully.

[lovetokite]

Originally Posted by Mikenbern

in a word.... NO

maybe with a propride or other longer shank hitch -- you may be able to have clearance....

i use an equalizer-- and I can not open the tailgate

x2...

[larryglarson]

I have had 2 Pickups and 3 trailers and was unable to open end gate with any combination, but I can open the end gate fare enough to get to the stuff at the back of the bed. I put a rage between the end gate and the hitch. Works good.

[fran&frank]

Many good solutions or observations offered here, the problem is many are specific to a particular situation, Rotating the motor on a jack can sometimes solve the problem but I couldn't do it with the Atwood jack on my trailer. I agree you want to keep the ball as close to the truck as possible to minimize leverage on the truck but some times extending the hitch slightly is an easy and acceptable solution. My equalizer hitch came with a 12 inch shank and as someone pointed out the next step up with equalizer was 18 inches and I didn't want to extend my hitch that far. I found a Reese shank on Amazon that was 14" and worked and only minimally extended my hitch.--Frank

[MelGoddard]

Ford F-150, Ezy-lift: Nope!
Heavy stuff I remove before hooking up.
Lighter stuff, out the open upper window.

[dkottum]

The hitch experts at Can-Am Rv tell us even a very short extension of the hitch stinger results in an increased sway input to the vehicle's steering axle in actual handling tests. It is standard practice for them to drill a new hitch pin hole so the ball can be placed as close to the rear bumper as possible.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by SeaLevel

Yes, there are 3 holes in the frame where it gets mounted, but on my jack at least, there are extra holes provided so that you can turn it 90 degrees sideways. It's designed that way so that you can turn it if required to clear the tailgate.

Ahhh, I see. Thanks.

Originally Posted by dkottum

The hitch experts at Can-Am Rv tell us even a very short extension of the hitch stinger results in an increased sway input to the vehicle's steering axle in actual handling tests. It is standard practice for them to drill a new hitch pin hole so the ball can be placed as close to the rear bumper as possible.

Are they talking about buying another shank that's longer or using an extension to the existing receiver? I don't see how drilling another hole is any different than buying a longer shank.
I looked at the standard Equal-i-zer shank and the hole is only about four inches from the front. I can't see drilling another hole even closer to the front. I think a slightly longer shank is the answer, like 14".

Not scientific, but it seems most folks who's tailgates opened had 250's or 350's, while those of us with half ton's had more problems. Maybe the tailgates are shorter on larger trucks? Or the bumpers/receivers on larger trucks are farther back.

[TravlinMan]

Originally Posted by SeaLevel

Yes, there are 3 holes in the frame where it gets mounted, but on my jack at least, there are extra holes provided so that you can turn it 90 degrees sideways. It's designed that way so that you can turn it if required to clear the tailgate.

I never noticed that. I'm gonna take a look. Thank you.

[Milo1952]

Equalizer setup and so long as my tt tv are straight just clears. so yes I can

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Ahhh, I see. Thanks.

Are they talking about buying another shank that's longer or using an extension to the existing receiver? I don't see how drilling another hole is any different than buying a longer shank.
I looked at the standard Equal-i-zer shank and the hole is only about four inches from the front. I can't see drilling another hole even closer to the front. I think a slightly longer shank is the answer, like 14".

Sorry I was not clear. They drill the existing stinger to move the ball as close to the bumper as possible for best possible handling and sway control. Has nothing to do with trying to fix the tail gate problem.

[Pat Cassity]

No problem at all opening the tailgate on my 2015 GMC Sierra. Using a Blue Ox hitch.

[16595]

Blue Ox works fine on GMC 2500HD and 31' Classic.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by dkottum

Sorry I was not clear. They drill the existing stinger to move the ball as close to the bumper as possible for best possible handling and sway control. Has nothing to do with trying to fix the tail gate problem.

Hi

The heart of the hitch / sway debate is the distance from the ball to the rear axle. Pushing that out by something like 4" is not a good idea for sway. That's about 10% of the typical ball to axle distance. Getting 4" back by drilling another hole sounds like a pretty cute idea. Sure would not help the tailgate issue any though.

In my case, I'd guess that another 2" would (barely) let the tailgate clear the power jack motor housing.

Bob

[TravlinMan]

For me, it's a matter of a couple centimeters. Rotating the jack would certainly do it.

[MelGoddard]

Originally Posted by dkottum

The hitch experts at Can-Am Rv tell us even a very short extension of the hitch stinger results in an increased sway input to the vehicle's steering axle in actual handling tests. It is standard practice for them to drill a new hitch pin hole so the ball can be placed as close to the rear bumper as possible.

'Andy' drilled a closer hole for me, (ball closer to bumper.)
I noticed the difference for sure.

[accordionman]

Ford 2015, F 250, Propride, 2015 classic 30
No problem opening and......yes bruised shins from the stinger !

[MelGoddard]

Originally Posted by MelGoddard

Ford F-150, Ezy-lift: Nope!
Heavy stuff I remove before hooking up.
Lighter stuff, out the open upper window.

Me? I would 'leave it lay where Jesus flang it'

[JimGolden]

Yes. Ram 2500 with Equal-I-Zer 15,000/1500 hitch and Avion 34X. No problems....

[LBelle]

No...with a 2015 F-150 Blue Ox and a 19' Bambi??? But now I need to check out how much space I need and see about incorporating one of the sides, like rotating the jack. It is a pain to get stiff out of the rear of the bed when the trailer is hooked up.