New Truck, 2013 Northstar Pop Up

Fishbreath wrote:

Geo*Boy wrote:

Fishbreath wrote:
Thanks for the replies!

With regards to weight on the tailgate with the camper loaded, the Northstar popup has an 8 foot footprint and does not hang over past the floor of the truck bed.

I had no desire for the ProGrade tailgate when I ordered the truck, but, it came standard with the trim package that I ordered. I have also learned on-line, that the ProGrade tailgate will smash into a trailer ball if one is installed in the receiver. There are a lot of unhappy people on the net that have pushed the button to lower the gate and have had it hit the hitch ball, leaving a dent in the tailgate. Two companies have already designed work-arounds to prevent this. One is an electronic switch that senses you have a hitch ball installed and stops the tailgate from lowering. The other is a specially-bent hitch/ball combo that drops the ball lower and also tucks it in a little. GM failed to field test this new tailgate while towing. Just a little frustrating.

I'll update this situation once I get the tie downs installed and do a trial fit.

Thanks!

B&W makes a nice tow ball setup that flips inward so the gate doesn’t hit the ball.

I have seen the B@W hitch. Unfortunately, you still run the risk of damaging the tailgate if you forget that the hitch ball is installed. It would be easy to oversee because the darn thing is mechanized and can be opened/dropped from inside of the cab.
TOO MANY GOODIES!