Best Way To Extend Hitch Past Tailgate

I had the same problem. Taking the tailgate off is the easiest solution. Using ramps to raise the front tires (making the atv more vertical) requires really high ramps… like 25” or on the bed rails. You can buy the atv bed lifts for $400-$800 online, but most people just put the front tires on a truck toolbox. Deflating or removing the atv tires is another option. And of course the atv carriers is an option too, assuming you have enough payload.

I would look into removing the tongue jack and using an automotive floor jack (bottle jack) and blocks or something similar. Seems like this would be better than towing two trailers.

deltabravo wrote:
Truck camper people (like me) extend hitches all the time.

The cost to do it right isn't cheap though. There's a company in Sumner, Washington name Torklift that manufactures a replacement trailer hitch called the SuperHitch and extensions called the Supertruss.

www.torklift.com

Any RV dealer can get Torklift products

Hitch on my truck:

Right. I carried a Lance on my truck for many years. I have a Reese's Tow Beast receiver hitch. With my Lance mounted I used a 24" extension when towing. The receiver on the tow beast is 2.5", not 2". Hitch is rated for 12K # without a WDH. of course that's greatly reduced as you add extensions.

Thanks all for your suggestions. I looked in to the Super Hitch today at State Trailer here in SLC. They are more expensive than I really want to invest in this problem($1,700). I have decided for now, I will tow a small utility trailer that I already have behind the TT. It is legal here in Utah to double tow as long as the total length does not exceed 65'. I am also going to see if I can have a welding shop move the electric tongue jack behind the propane bottles. It is tight space but it may be my best solution.

mackyb wrote:
I should have noted in my OP that I have rotated the tongue jack 90 degrees. The length of my ATV requires that I have the tailgate down when loaded in the bed of my truck. Sorry for not including all the pertinent info in the OP.

Do you mean that you have rotated the jack (clockwise or counter clockwise) or rotated it as in pivoting it down until it's parallel to the ground? I'm assuming (yeah, I know....) that if it's still hitting the tailgate that it's still upright. If so I would suggest adding a new crossmember to your TT's A frame tongue and moving the jack back toards the camper body, should be able to move it far enough for the tailgate to have the needed clearence. I did a similar setup on my brother's enclosed racecar trailer a while back for his tailgate clearence, worked well.

Get a piece of 1-1/2" Z angle and bolt it down across the front on the floor of the bed cross ways. Slide two 2x12"'s in under it at the same width as the ATV tires. Make them just long enough to support the rear of the tires. Set your ramps on the end of the 2x12's, drive the ATV up on them.

FWIW just take two 1-1/2" angles and stitch weld them to make a Z.

$20.00 for the 2x12's and $20-25.00 for the angle.

BY putting the Z angle near the cab on the bed floor it will virtually be out of the way as the top of the bed front near the cab has a square edge that protrudes into the bed at about the same distance as the Z angle would.

I've seen several solutions, but ramping up in front looks the most stable. Main reason why I buy 8' beds is to haul toys. Good luck.

When we were towing using a van with the spare on the back, I moved the jack back a foot or so for more clearance. Problem solved.

handye9 wrote:

mackyb wrote:
I should have noted in my OP that I have rotated the tongue jack 90 degrees. The length of my ATV requires that I have the tailgate down when loaded in the bed of my truck. Sorry for not including all the pertinent info in the OP.

How about a 5th wheel tailgate?

Much safer than modding the hitch. Probably cheaper, too.

Here's a link to one on eBay.

I don't think You couldn't get the ramp to hang on there square enough

mackyb wrote:
I should have noted in my OP that I have rotated the tongue jack 90 degrees. The length of my ATV requires that I have the tailgate down when loaded in the bed of my truck. Sorry for not including all the pertinent info in the OP.

How about a 5th wheel tailgate?

Much safer than modding the hitch. Probably cheaper, too.

Here's a link to one on eBay.

tralertrash wrote:
Put 2- 2x12's in the bed of the truck that are long enough to carry the back wheels of the atv, drive onto them and the weight of the machine in front will support what little hangs over the back of the bed.

what stops the 2x from flopping up when you drive the ATV up the ramps?