$1800 ? Simple 6in ext vs Supertruss/Torklift solution

[koberudy]

We just took delivery on our Flying Cloud 23ft last week and towed it to a neighboring state for a funeral. The only disappointment is the tongue is 6in too short for opening the tailgate without hitting the front jack. I thought it should be a simple fix to get a 6in receiver extension, problem solved. Apparently, not so. Those extensions are only rated at 3500#/350 tongue. Etrailer.com has one for a 10k# trailer but it's only rated 400# tongue wt. They also have a disclaimer that such extensions reduce the receiver capacity by 50%. Etrailer.com had no other solution for me than to go up to a SuperTruss receiver and Torklift hitch combination for $1800+ excluding installation. I'm hoping for a second opinion for a cheaper solution. After all, it's a fairly small/light trailer (6k#/600# tongue wt) and I'm towing it with a Ram 3500 dually diesel. I'm using the Andersen hitch system. I just want to be able to lower my tailgate when hitched up so I can take my dog in the back of the truck (with topper) and other equipment. Anyone using a more affordable solution? Thanks

[JCRC]

My Anderson hitch has two holes for the receiver pin and because of my oversized spare tire I use the hole that extends the hitch out the farthest. Because of that I am able to open the tailgate with about an inch to spare on my Ram 2500. I'm pulling a 75 Argosy, so I don't know the difference in A frame size in relation to the jack on a newer airstream. I have a power jack and my Anderson is for a 2 1/2 inch receiver.

[SSquared]

Some people are able to get their tailgate to open by just turning the jack head sideways.

Beyond that, there are many brands and models of shanks for use with various brands of hitches. Some are longer than others. However, all the ones I have seen are made of solid 2 inch sections, and the hitch head fits over the shank. The Andersen uses an arrangement where the head fits into a channel on the shank. That limits your options, unfortunately.

Here's a thought. Find a WD shank that is long enough to solve your problem. Then have a welding/machine shop cut the Andersen shank into two parts. Discard the part that goes into the receiver of your truck. Have them weld the other part onto your new shank.

[Wazbro]

Replacing the couple with a Buuldog one will get you a few inches.
https://www.bulldogproducts.net/prod...frame-couplers

[TR Anderson]

https://www.carid.com/ic/stromberg-c...-02-4000_1.jpg
https://americancarcompany.com.au/wp...-4-999x713.jpg
https://i0.wp.com/www.musclecarsandt...0%2C1280&ssl=1



Examples of tailgate options from cheap to expensive. And don't forget, once you're done for the season, you can reinstall your regular tailgate again.

[Fungus]

Spend $3000 for a Propride or Hensley hitch.

[koberudy]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

Replacing the couple with a Buuldog one will get you a few inches.
https://www.bulldogproducts.net/prod...frame-couplers

Pardon my ignorance, and your suggestion looks like it has some merit. But how does this work? Does the new coupler go over and extend beyond the original or do you have to cut off the original and then bolt on the new one?

[koberudy]

I'll check on that tomorrow. Thanks

[Skip F]

Hello, I changed out my coupler to a Buyers spring loaded latch rated for !5,000 lbs.
The unit is a weld on, cost $200 from E-trailer, welder was $150. Simple locking mechanism, either coupled or not. Turned the jack 90 degrees. In all picked up 5.5 inches. I am able to use the Anderson in the first hole. Have towed 18,000 miles in the last year with no problems. TV is a 2500 series Chevrolet and gate clears with no problem. Hope this helps

[JetstreamAS]

Koberudy-

Gen-Y has lots of options that will get your ball 6” out farther that should allow you to fold your tailgate down. We use the Boss on a 1 ton and the tailgate opens without any issues.

https://genyhitch.com/bumper-towing/

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by koberudy

Pardon my ignorance, and your suggestion looks like it has some merit. But how does this work? Does the new coupler go over and extend beyond the original or do you have to cut off the original and then bolt on the new one?

You would need to remove the old coupler and weld the new one on, most people would need to hire a welder to have this done as Skip F did.

[01bambi16]

For now just put a moving blanket over the jack and lower the gate softly onto it.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by 01bambi16

For now just put a moving blanket over the jack and lower the gate softly onto it.

I thought the same thing until I tried it.
Often I'd want to use the tailgate flat, like sliding a toolbox out or the generator.
In my case I turned the jack sideways, but I also bought and never installed a longer shank. Remember, It doesn't matter if you have an Equalizer or Blue Oz, or Reese, they all use the solid 2" steel shanks. Buy a different shank with the hole a bit farther out. e-Trailer is a good research tool, because they measure the shanks with a tape measure. One company might call theirs a 16" shank, but measure from the pin hole to the bolt holes, while another might call theirs 16" but measure end to end.
Don't go too long or the tail will wag the dog on the road.

[field & stream]

Question: do other brand trailers have this problem, or is Airstream special?

I had to get an extended shank to be able to lift the tailgate of my full size SUV for a 16’ trailer. I admit I don’t understand the physics or geometry challenges here, but to my simple mind it seems like a major design flaw.

[ZeGermans]

I have a bulletproof hitch with the equalizer attachment and it extends out far enough so I can open the tailgate on my f350

[BillfromWI]

I had a Bulldog Collar-Loc (#28499) installed for a different reason but it solved this problem for me. The total cost installed and painted was $500. I don't know how much length it added--maybe 2-3", certainly not 6".

The Bulldog Collar-Loc is an excellent coupler that simplifies and speeds hitching and unhitching. I love it.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by field & stream

Question: do other brand trailers have this problem, or is Airstream special?

I had to get an extended shank to be able to lift the tailgate of my full size SUV for a 16’ trailer. I admit I don’t understand the physics or geometry challenges here, but to my simple mind it seems like a major design flaw.

Other brands have same problem, many use same/similar couplers and the jack mounts to the coupler, so distance ball to jack would be the same/similar. Unless they use a longer coupler like the Bulldog which is somewhat rare.

[Life is a Highway]

Easy to do or have your Dealer turn the jack head.. Worked for our tailgate clearance.

[tjdonahoe]

Reese duel cam with long stinger. Tail gate has 4 “

[Acheron2010]

take a look at my avatar pic. I use an equalizer hitch, and can open the tailgate on my Silverado with ease...