New FW owner here. Finally got my new trailer delivered, hooked up and adjusted the Patriot hitch to get the trailer as close to level as I can. It's about 1" nose high with the hitch all the way down and the open tailgate clears the trailer by just under an inch with it adjusted as far back as it'll go. Roughly 6-8" of clearance between the side rails and the trailer frame (didn't measure). Looks like I just have to be aware to be square to the trailer when hooking up with the limited tailgate clearance. Is the 1" or so nose high anything to be concerned with?

Louvered tailgate with a V in it. Solves tailgate problem.

avvidclif1 wrote:Louvered tailgate with a V in it. Solves tailgate problem.X2

I'll put it on the list for next year after my wife forgets how much I spent on the trailer this year.

Hitch Adjustment | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

filrupmark
Explorer
Jul 01, 2014
Be sure the tailgate dosent blow out. While towing a fifth wheel a lot of extra wind goes thru the truck bed and will blow stuff out. Just get the new tailgate and make your wife think your doing it for her. She will be enjoying the new trailer just as much as you. Congratulations and enjoy your new rig.
goducks10
Explorer
Jul 01, 2014
Padlin wrote:
RDS33 wrote:
Do the talegate delete and leave it at home.

Do many folks do this?

I do every time we go. Couple reasons. 1st, I don't have an in bed plug receptacle so the cord rubs on the tailgate. 2nd I don't like getting out and lowering it then shutting it every time so I never have to worry about denting it. A V notch is on the list.
BillB3857
Explorer
Jul 01, 2014
I just take my tail gate off and lay it in the back of the bed behind the hitch. If we're going to be set up in on place more than a couple of days, the gate goes back on and my Retrax bed cover closes up the bed.
bucky
Explorer II
Jul 01, 2014
A wife never forgets anything. 38 years and she still brings up my not knowing Easter was a gift giving holiday our first spring. :)
Padlin
Explorer
Jul 01, 2014
RDS33 wrote:
Do the talegate delete and leave it at home.

Do many folks do this?
RDS33
Explorer
Jul 01, 2014
Do the talegate delete and leave it at home.
partsman01
Explorer
Jun 30, 2014
rhagfo wrote:
avvidclif1 wrote:
Louvered tailgate with a V in it. Solves tailgate problem.

X2

X3
Padlin
Explorer
Jun 30, 2014
I'll put it on the list for next year after my wife forgets how much I spent on the trailer this year.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jun 30, 2014
avvidclif1 wrote:
Louvered tailgate with a V in it. Solves tailgate problem.

X2
avvidclif1
Explorer
Jun 30, 2014
Louvered tailgate with a V in it. Solves tailgate problem.