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

Huntindog
Explorer
Mar 31, 2015
LarryJM wrote:
Huntindog wrote:

A longer drawbar will work, but will lokely cost close to what a new jack will, and I am not sure I would recommend it for a SUV, which likely has a short wheelbase. It could possible have a negative impact on the towing experience.

In theory your concern might have merit re the longer drawbar, but IMO the very small increase in the distance from the rear axle with a longer drawbar that is less than 6" longer should not have a noticeable impact on overall stability. If it does then I would think you are already too close on the edge of the stability curve so to speak with the existing drawbar and the overall stability of the TT/TV combo to start with. We've not talking increasing the pivot point by feet, but probably less than 10 to 15% as a WAG. Maybe I'm all wet and don't know what I'm talking about, but that's my gut take on this.

Larry
The reason I raise the "possibility" is because my first TV was a short WB SUV... A 1973 Blazer.
I still have it, but gave it up for tow duty long ago. It needed all the help it could get in the stability dept.
I know nothing about the OPs TT or hitch, and little about the TV, other that it's a SUV.

YMMV
mich800
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
Huntindog wrote:
Can you open it with the manual jack installed?
If so, then the Atwood will work.

I agree. Having something like tis is a PITA that one shouldn't have to endure.
A longer drawbar will work, but will lokely cost close to what a new jack will, and I am not sure I would recommend it for a SUV, which likely has a short wheelbase. It could possible have a negative impact on the towing experience.

Is the Atwood shorter. Because this is a SUV I suspect the only relief they will get is with a longer draw bar or shorter height.
LarryJM
Explorer II
Mar 30, 2015
Huntindog wrote:

A longer drawbar will work, but will lokely cost close to what a new jack will, and I am not sure I would recommend it for a SUV, which likely has a short wheelbase. It could possible have a negative impact on the towing experience.

In theory your concern might have merit re the longer drawbar, but IMO the very small increase in the distance from the rear axle with a longer drawbar that is less than 6" longer should not have a noticeable impact on overall stability. If it does then I would think you are already too close on the edge of the stability curve so to speak with the existing drawbar and the overall stability of the TT/TV combo to start with. We've not talking increasing the pivot point by feet, but probably less than 10 to 15% as a WAG. Maybe I'm all wet and don't know what I'm talking about, but that's my gut take on this.

Larry
Huntindog
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
Can you open it with the manual jack installed?
If so, then the Atwood will work.

I agree. Having something like tis is a PITA that one shouldn't have to endure.
A longer drawbar will work, but will lokely cost close to what a new jack will, and I am not sure I would recommend it for a SUV, which likely has a short wheelbase. It could possible have a negative impact on the towing experience.
AirForceAngler
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
I ran into the same problem with our TT and power jack. I was able to reclock the head on the power unit so that it faced backwards. I didn't want to drill new holes and this worked best. The only downside is that I had to remove our LP tank cover but that wasn't a big deal to me since it's in the way more often than not, anyhow.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
Another poster already mentioned the jack-e-up as a possible solution. It sounds like a great solution to me. Have you looked into it?
TxTwoSome
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
Just an idea I have seen a friend of mine who also had this problem he welded a bracket with the 3 hole mount for jack on the SIDE of the frame with braces and mounted the power jack in this position. This allowed him to open his rear hatch on his Durango. He has a 29 foot trailer and it works well for him.
RavensFan24
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
I have this same exact issue with my Tahoe and the new trailer. I have 3 dogs and it's a pain in the ass that the tailgate doesn't open. they don't travel in cages though, so I just let them out the side door. Not ideal, but its the cheapest solution for me. Seems stupid that no one would've thought of the distance needed between trailer and tow vehicle.
luvmydogs
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
Wow, some people just really full of themselves here. Many different people with many different suggestions, yet when I follow some advice and then choose myself what looks best and choose what I can afford, they can only think of it as "you didnt follow MY advice". No offense, like you meant, but get over yourself Larry. Sorry it wasnt YOUR post I took as gospel and followed. I found your post offensive and borderline nasty. Sorry I didnt single our YOUR opinion as LAW.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015
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!

SoundGuy wrote:
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.

LarryJM wrote:
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.

The reason I responded to the OP's query in their original discussion is because I've had this same problem myself but managed to solve it with an UltraFab 3002. However, I suspect that many, including the OP, may not appreciate just how different these tongue jacks can be - not only can the head often not be rotated a full 180 degrees but sometimes not at all. Of even greater importance though is the size and shape of the head ... with many, rotating the head may still not solve the problem because the front of the head isn't that much offset from the rear AND because it's so darned big, sometimes so big that even if you could rotate it the head would interfere with something else one the tongue, such as propane tanks. The UltraFab 3002 is considerably different - fully rotatable 180 degrees, relatively small head, and the front of the head is really offset compared to the rear - which is why I mentioned it in the first place and even provided links to pics of this particular TJ. Of course I can't guarantee an UF 3002 would solve the OP's problem as the trailer / TV relationship is different in each case, as is what else is mounted on the tongue, but of any electric tongue jacks I've seen this particular model IMO offers the best chances of a solution.

Forum Discussion

Totally bummed with Electric Jack

39 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Totaled while stored

Electric

Electrical assistance

Electrical outlet issues

Blew a fuse I cannot find... Bum,bum,bum.