BlueOx SwayPro Shank change

[englewoodfl]

We have a BlueOx Swaypro for our 2023 F150 / 2023 23FBT. It's a little awkward but I'm much faster now than last year. Much easier if you really lift the F150 into the air.



A major drawback is that the F150 tailgate just hits the jack motor assembly if it's connected. Awkward getting things out and and in some cases I've needed to unhook just to get something out. BlueOx sells a two different 12" shank top replace the standard 9". Seems to me that that would be more than enough to solve the problem. Cost about $160.



SO - have you put a 12" on a similar combination? Pluses and minuses? Would you do it again?

[hikingcamera]

First, have you turned the jack motor sideways? On most hitch jacks, there are a few screws that keep the head from rotating, and you can loosen them, turn the head sideways, and then retighten. You'll want to remove the propane cover to reduce scratching, but moved it just out of the range for me.

If you do get the longer shank, just be aware that moving the ball further away from the rear axle of the tow vehicle changes the tow dynamic in a negative way. Hard to say if it'll have a noticeable affect on your setup, but just be aware of that if you do end up going with the longer shank. I've stuck with the 9" shank on mine to keep things as close and tight as possible.

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by englewoodfl

We have a BlueOx Swaypro for our 2023 F150 / 2023 23FBT. It's a little awkward but I'm much faster now than last year. Much easier if you really lift the F150 into the air.



A major drawback is that the F150 tailgate just hits the jack motor assembly if it's connected. Awkward getting things out and and in some cases I've needed to unhook just to get something out. BlueOx sells a two different 12" shank top replace the standard 9". Seems to me that that would be more than enough to solve the problem. Cost about $160.



SO - have you put a 12" on a similar combination? Pluses and minuses? Would you do it again?

If you are asking about a longer shank that sticks out farther behind the receiver to allow the tailgate to open… generally speaking that would be undesirable. You usually want the shank as short as reasonably possible.

Have you tried rotating the jack motor 90*? That will usually buy you a few inches, sometimes enough to get a tailgate open.

[StuartsDad]

If turning the jack head still doesn't give you enough clearance, I would get the longer shank and drill a new hitch pin hole to give just enough clearance for tailgate. Not being able to drop the tailgate is a PITA and a dent waiting to happen.

[RRHJR]

I have the extended shank. Works fine. Able to drop tail gate with no problems. Yes, it is 3 inches longer has some effect on weight and “balance”. It’s kind of like the 3 inch axle lift- can anyone really tell any difference? The ability to use the tailgate negates any perceived negative impact of the extended shank. F250/ 1100lb tongue weight/ 1000 to 1500 lb bars(3 dot).

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by RRHJR

F250/ 1100lb tongue weight/ 1000 to 1500 lb bars(3 dot).

I just checked e-trailer, who sells the Blue Ox Sway Pro.
I have a Blue Ox Sway Pro that I bought for a steal, I'm cleaning it up and repainting as an option to my Equalizer.
My actual tongue weight is 1125# (on the Sherlock scale)
So when you said three dots was for bars in the range 1000#-1500# I had to check. Blue Ox lists the bars with the upper weight limit, so the 'dots' refer to the max weight (In theory) 3 dots is 1000#.
Mine have 4 dots; 1500# bars. I haven't installed the hitch because with all the hubbub about 'frame separation' I hesitate to use stronger bars than needed.
Decisions, decisions.

Sidebar: You Blue Ox fans, is it as simple as not tightening the chains as much? I'm in the middle between two sizes.
My Equalizer has 1000# bars and tows great, but I have some sag.
I'm tempted to buy some 1000# bars for the Blue Ox.

Sidebar 2: I found that Rustolium Hammered finished, Burnished Amber is a dead perfect match to Blue Ox's paint.

[englewoodfl]

Turning it is something I even contemplated. When we get it back from service in 2-3 weeks I'll take a look at that.


Of course a longer shank will change things. Interesting that with the tie in between BlueOx and AS that BlueOx didn't suggest this.

[AlbertF]

If your truck has a 145” wheelbase and a 59” overhang to the ball, the percentage is 41%.

Adding 3” to the shank is like shortening the wheelbase by 8”. Maybe it’s no issue, or you won’t feel it, but it doesn’t help stability and you should think about that.

[NutmegsCamper]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

I just checked e-trailer, who sells the Blue Ox Sway Pro.
I have a Blue Ox Sway Pro that I bought for a steal, I'm cleaning it up and repainting as an option to my Equalizer.
My actual tongue weight is 1125# (on the Sherlock scale)
So when you said three dots was for bars in the range 1000#-1500# I had to check. Blue Ox lists the bars with the upper weight limit, so the 'dots' refer to the max weight (In theory) 3 dots is 1000#.
Mine have 4 dots; 1500# bars. I haven't installed the hitch because with all the hubbub about 'frame separation' I hesitate to use stronger bars than needed.
Decisions, decisions.

Sidebar: You Blue Ox fans, is it as simple as not tightening the chains as much? I'm in the middle between two sizes.
My Equalizer has 1000# bars and tows great, but I have some sag.
I'm tempted to buy some 1000# bars for the Blue Ox.

Sidebar 2: I found that Rustolium Hammered finished, Burnished Amber is a dead perfect match to Blue Ox's paint.

Thanks for the tip on the paint! Backing off a link or two on the chains will just return less weight to the front axle. The bars will still have the same rigidity. I think getting the three dot (1000-1500) would be a smart move, as they will spring more with your tongue weight vs offering no spring to cushion the load.

[CharlesinGA]

Originally Posted by NutmegsCamper

Thanks for the tip on the paint! Backing off a link or two on the chains will just return less weight to the front axle. The bars will still have the same rigidity. I think getting the three dot (1000-1500) would be a smart move, as they will spring more with your tongue weight vs offering no spring to cushion the load.

I agree, you really probably should have 1000 lb bars.

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...x/BXW4007.html

From Etrailer
No dimples = 200 pounds to 350 pounds # BXW4015
1 dimple = 350 pounds to 550 pounds # BXW4005
2 dimples = 550 pounds to 750 pounds # BXW4006
3 dimples = 750 pounds to 1,000 pounds # BXW4007
4 dimples = 1,000 pounds to 1,500 pounds # BXW4008
5 dimples = 1,500 pounds to 2,000 pounds # BXW4014

Charles

[21Airstream]

When we first took delivery of our ‘14 FC 27FBQ, the dealer installed a Blue Ox hitch w/ 2” shank and an adapter (as our Ram 3500 had a 2.5” receiver). I was unable to open the tailgate completely with that setup but I just lived with it. I got tired of the adapter setup so I bought a 2.5” shank and installed the Blue Ox hitch on it. The best part is I can now open the tailgate (which I hadn’t counted on). I realize our TV’s are different but I noticed no difference in towing after making the change (other than the hitch is quite a but heavier).

[Mollysdad]

My jack is a Husky 5000 which does not have an option to loosen the head and turn it. So when I turned my head, I had to drill new holes. SIDEBAR: All tongue jacks I've seen have the same bolt pattern, (3) 3/8 x 16 bolts on 3" centers. If you think about it, you want to move the head 90º and the bolts are on 120º Centers, so you drill new holes 30º from the old.
There's lots of ways, a paper template, turn it and mark, or like I did use 'Transfer Screws'.

I made a post about how I did it:
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f45...ys-196460.html

[Airhead59]

Tailgate of my 2015 F150 hit my 2005 Safari 25 tongue jack when using my Blue Ox WD hitch. Rotating the jack 90 degrees solved the problem.