The 16 inch seems to be working fine. Also, although the 14 inch would work when the truck and trailer are lined up straight, it looks like any angle between the two lengthens to distance needed to drop the tailgate. So, happy accident, that the 16 gives me enough wiggle room to be OK if I have to angle my trailer in somewhere and want the tailgate down. Most everyone I talked with warned against moving the pin hole by drilling a new one but you are right, I probably should talk to the the manufacturers. They will probably tell me the same thing if for no other reason than liability.