Forum Discussion

Wood_chip's avatar
Wood_chip
Explorer
May 08, 2018

How many here have tailgate clearance issues

I posted on another site as well.How are you dealing with the tailgate clearance with the front of the coach while the tailgate is in the down position ? Currently I moved my B&W companion to just behind axle to help this condition but I’m thinking of purchasing the Trailersaver BD5 which has no front to back adjustments. It seems while hitching up, one would have to start with the tailgate down and once the pin box clears the tailgate then to raise the tailgate. That may be the norm but is something I have not had to do.

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  • bpounds's avatar
    bpounds
    Nomad
    May 08, 2018
    I cannot open my tailgate while hitched. It is not even close.

    And I don't think it has anything to do with long/short bed, or with brand of hitch. It is all about the design of the fiver and how much overhang they built into it. I simply have more basement space than I would have had if they had built more overhang, within the given coach length.

    A Vee tailgate solves the issue for me. Tailgate stays up all the time.
  • Wood_chip's avatar
    Wood_chip
    Explorer
    May 08, 2018
    Lenny K wrote:
    Probably more to do if you have a long or short pin box that people have or have not this problem.


    I already have the MorRyde extended pinbox. Short pinbox would be impossible
  • Lenny_K's avatar
    Lenny_K
    Explorer
    May 08, 2018
    Probably more to do if you have a long or short pin box that people have or have not this problem.
  • Wood_chip's avatar
    Wood_chip
    Explorer
    May 08, 2018
    chag67 wrote:
    I have a F350 long bed and the tailgate down clears my Grand Design Solitude 379FLS with no problem, even when connecting at a 45d angle.


    The trailer overhang at the bedroom area must be much different from trailer to trailer. I guess this would be the biggest of the reasons for tailgate clearance issues
  • Community Alumni's avatar
    Community Alumni
    May 08, 2018
    I have a F350 long bed and the tailgate down clears my Grand Design Solitude 379FLS with no problem, even when connecting at a 45d angle.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    May 08, 2018
    My F350 long bed tailgate clears the front of my Montana by about 4”. Have to be careful to be close to straight on when hitching. Reese Elite hitch about an inch in front of axle.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    May 08, 2018
    Long bed truck
    Can open tailgate when hooked up to 5vr
    Hitch is actually 2" forward of centerline of rear axle

    Other then Opening tailgate to hitch/unhitch the only issue is to remember tailgate is down when leaving.........turns would make tailgate into a can opener on front compartment

    (One reason I swapped to a 'U' 5vr tailgate vs OEM)
  • Wood_chip's avatar
    Wood_chip
    Explorer
    May 08, 2018
    OP here . I guess one could put a strap on the tailgate to hold it up at the midway or at least below the the height of the hitch while hitching/unhitching
  • ACZL's avatar
    ACZL
    Explorer
    May 08, 2018
    I found that w/ our Big Country, the front of the coach (basement) door isn't as angle back as old Silverback was, thus we lost the space you are referring to. Kinda stinks and we too turned the base of the Patriot around and while we gained some add'l clearance, nothing like w/ the Creek.

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