Long shank question...

Just curious, what is the tailgate hitting when you try to put it down?

Turns out the shank I have is not a hi low... Just an L. If I turn it down I can't get the ball high enough and if I turn it up I can't get it low enough... It's within an inch and a half if I turn it down.... It might work. Suppose to be level or slightly down right? Might give it a try...

Why should it? The payload capacity doesn't change if you are towing a 5th wheel (with the payload directly over the axle) compared to a TT (with the load out a ways from the axle). So why should it change if the load is at 36" away from the axle vs. 34"?

Doesn't lengthening the shank reduce the towing and payload capacities.

Ron

Thanks for the help Scott and Roy. Heading out to make the change...

Thanks cool breeze.

Opening the tailgate fully, while hitched to the trailer is SOP. I do it every time I'm hooked to the trailer for one reason or another. No downside I'm aware of.

Check out how long this shank is on one of MELLO MIKEs Adventure photos. If you want to tow something behind the Truck Camper you have to get an extended shank setup to get past the camper overhang. Notice this one is really long and it has chains added to it for support from the truck bumper.



Roy Ken

Nope. I installed one that was several inches longer for the same reason on my Reece DC and had no problem.
A few years later my buddy got the same DC setup and the new shank (or drawbar) that came with it was longer just like the aftermarket one I bought.