We researched and looked at so many jacks and then settled on what looked like the best one for the money, a Ram. It looked really nice but then we slid it into position and there is no way we can open the tail gate with it. It does not move or swivel any way, its simply to big and no adjusting will make it work. I've seen others with this problem and thought we chose wisely, but we didnt. Totally bummed!

I have the same problem with the one that came on my TT. You can get a longer shank for your weight distributing hitch but they are around $100.00.

luvmydogs wrote:We researched and looked at so many jacks and then settled on what looked like the best one for the money, a Ram. It looked really nice but then we slid it into position and there is no way we can open the tail gate with it. It does not move or swivel any way, its simply to big and no adjusting will make it work. I've seen others with this problem and thought we chose wisely, but we didnt. Totally bummed!Did I not suggest in your other thread that you seriously consider an electric tongue jack on which the head can be rotated, even mentioning the UltraFab 3002 which does allow this? Yeah, I know a few respondents mocked the advantage of being able to rotate the head but it really can be an advantage when the TV tailgate hits the tongue jack head.

Understand. We switched ours from a manual to an electric shortly after we purchased our Outback. We let our dealer recommend the best for us (which is OK, sometimes it's just easier to let someone else make a decision for you). The jack works great! Not a hint of problem. But you are right, the tailgate of the truck does not open all the way when hitched. I've learned to accept this and just watch the tail gate carefully when opening now so I've adapted. I've thought about building some kind of block or wedge to put between the tongue of the trailer and the open tail gate to keep it from falling completely back. The tail gait would not open flat that way, but at least it wouldn't hit the jack. There's a possibility I might be able to shorten the two steel cables that attach to the truck to the end of the tail gate on both sides, but would need a fast and easy way to switch them back for use when not trailering.Meanwhile I'll just live with it and watch it when opening the gate.I have heard of others having the same problem. One solution is to get a longer receiver jack shaft that slides into the receiver hitch. That would put a longer distance (even an inch could make a big difference). But I've not explored that idea yet. Sounds like it might work though.

Why is it impossible to rotate the jack? It may not cure your problem with the tailgate but I'm curious. Is it because the mounting hole don't line up?

I just live with it as well. The newer trucks seem to have taller beds which translates into a longer horizontal distance when the tailgates are opened. I can open my gate enough to access the latch for my bed cover so I can get to stuff if needed. At first I was a bit bummed but it's really not that big of deal with the way I use my truck.

Totally bummed with Electric Jack | Good Sam Community

39 Replies

LarryJM
Explorer II
Mar 30, 2015
SoundGuy wrote:
luvmydogs wrote:
We researched and looked at so many jacks and then settled on what looked like the best one for the money, a Ram. It looked really nice but then we slid it into position and there is no way we can open the tail gate with it. It does not move or swivel any way, its simply to big and no adjusting will make it work. I've seen others with this problem and thought we chose wisely, but we didnt. Totally bummed!

Did I not suggest in your other thread that you seriously consider an electric tongue jack on which the head can be rotated, even mentioning the UltraFab 3002 which does allow this? Yeah, I know a few respondents mocked the advantage of being able to rotate the head but it really can be an advantage when the TV tailgate hits the tongue jack head.

Don't you love it when someone asks for help, then gets sage advice which they seem to ignore only to come back later complaining that what they chose didn't work:h.

Not because of dogs I too need to open the rear doors on my Van to access all the storage I have back there and my extra long drawbar allows me to open my rear doors with the electric barker jack installed normally and not needing to be rotated.

At this point the extra long drawbar might be the best solution to the the current OPs problem.

Larry
jerem0621
Explorer II
Mar 30, 2015
Upgrade to a Hensley Arrow...better towing performance and your tailgate problem will dissapear.
luvmydogs
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
Gary in the back of the suv with ALL seats folded down go 4 large crates that take up the whole area behind the front seats to the back tailgate.2 cats go in 2 crates (they dont go out) and the dogs go in the back. If we only drove at a few hour increments we would still have to unload the cats to get the dogs out, more than a few hours and my dogs need to go out. Not being able to use the back tailgate for the convienance of the electric jack is a no brainer to me. Jack or back tailgate? Tailgate wins by a landslide. My animals need to be able to get out of the suv much more often then when the trailer is not attached.
GaryWT
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
The OP did not say anything about a SUV in the first post. They said tailgate which says struck. If they said could not open back door or back of SUV we would have understood better. Also I do not believe until later that dogs went in and out the back. That said, how long do you travel to campgrounds on average. For me I would put the dogs in, back up, hook up and be on the road in 5 minutes. Once at the campground, park the trailer, unhook and get the dogs out. Of course if you are driving for the better part of the day, this might not work. Is there a way to put the back seat down and let the dogs in through the door?
Jaxom
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
Perhaps the Jack-E-Up will help you out. This is a device that allows quick & easy removal of the entire jack.
http://jack-e-up.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD1M-t2eqxM
luvmydogs
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
Thanks Fallsrider, no one seems to get ITS AN SUV. I carry 4 animals in there crates in the SUV and the dogs come out the back to get in and out. Not being able to get the tailgate open IS NOT AN OPTION!
fallsrider
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
The OP said he/she has an Expedition. That's an SUV, not a pickup. :)
mtofell1
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
luvmydogs wrote:
Rotating it didnt work. It's an Expedition and I couldnt possibly deal with not being able to open the tail gate since I'll have 2 dogs that get in and out that way.

The dogs add a whole new dynamic. That is tough to work around. It's one thing to have to reach over the bed for a wheel chock. Schlepping dogs in and out is not easy.

Not sure if you're running with a shell but how about one with a door in the middle? Just thinking out loud.... I could see this getting more complex (expensive) and the easiest solution being hand cranking.
Muddydogs
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
Heck my tailgate isn't even close to be able to open with a stock trailer tongue and I don't see the big deal. I load the stuff in the back before I hook up and remove after I unhook but its not that big a deal to set stuff over the bed rail when I need to. If you really need to open the tailgate why not get a fifth wheel tailgate as the cut out should fit around the trailer tongue jack.
rexlion
Explorer
Mar 29, 2015
Will the seller take it back for a refund? If not, you could always sell it on ebay or Craigslist for maybe 1/4 off.

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Totally bummed with Electric Jack

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