Hitch extender?

[Gearheart]

When hitched up the tailgate of my F150 cannot be opened because it interferes with the electric Jack power head. I see that there are hitch extenders available, but would they cause another kind of grief? Stability issues? Anybody BTDT? How did it go? I only need about 6 extra inches.( I know. The story of my life)

[silverlabs]

I don't see you mentioned the type hitch you have. If an equalizer, they do make a longer shank that can be used. I purchased one and pulled my 25FC about 3,000 miles. You need to be careful of proper WD set up and personally I did not like it too much. Equalizer will walk you through this. As noted, there are some factors to consider with tongue weights and hitch capacity. As an easier option, you can rotate the top portion of the electric jack and it gives you the proper clearance. Loosening the lower bolts and rotating will not work. Must rotate just the head of the jack. I would go that route first as tried the extended shank and was not pleased with how it pulled. So much so that when I changed to a 28FC I gave the shank away. Ultimately went to a ProPride and no issues with it.

[AWCHIEF]

Interesting product,

Jack-E-Up

[AnnArborBob]

CanAm shortened our hitch length for better towing performance and when they did that we ran into the same issue. The solution was to turn the hitch head 90 degrees as shown in this photo:

[AnnArborBob]

Dang, I meant the hitch head was turned 90 degrees, not the entire trailer!

[loechli]

we actually had a local welder weld our adjustable hitch to a longer bar, ours is now about 2 1/2 ft long.

It did not effect towing we have done multiple cross country trips since the modification in the late 1990's

[cwf]

"Length is leverage"... and that will affect handling.. and WD... take care when extending that...

[reelfastgreg]

if the AS and the F350 are square to one another, i have about 2" of clearance when i put the tailgate down. if they are not straight on, i can't open the tailgate either. turning the jack head 90 degrees is a clever solution and one i bet would solve my issue.

[tvketchum]

The Hensley lengthens the hitch by its design, and my F150 tailgate opens without a problem, with a couple of inches to spare. The Hensley improved handling by eliminating sway, and has excellent WD properties.


Tom
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[Gearheart]

I will turn the jack head and see. If it's not enough it will surely reduce the amount of extension req'd.

[dayner]

Turned my jack head 90 degrees also, problem solved in about 15 minutes.

[McDave]

In order to rotate the jack head, do you just loosen the two Allen head screws behind the thing that looks like a canister?


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[Drathaar]

Originally Posted by gpt

if the AS and the F350 are square to one another, i have about 2" of clearance when i put the tailgate down. if they are not straight on, i can't open the tailgate either. turning the jack head 90 degrees is a clever solution and one i bet would solve my issue.

We use an Air Safe hitch (air bag) to damp shocks to our Airstream, and a side benefit is about 10 inches more space between the F350 and our 2012 25' Flying Cloud. Clearance solved.

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by McDave

In order to rotate the jack head, do you just loosen the two Allen head screws behind the thing that looks like a canister?


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Yes, that is the motor and gears. Do not remove or lift the motor. Loosen the screws and give the head a turn, tighten the screws back and you should be good to go.

[Gearheart]

Rotated the motor and still I need at least 4 inches more clearance. GRRRR

[McDave]

So is it okay to leave the jack in the turned position, or do you have to move it back to use it?


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[Gearheart]

The jack is good in any orientation. It's just easier use if the switch is in the front. You can access from either side without reaching around.