Tailgate hits the tongue jack?

[handye9]

Saw this in a Camping World catalog. Installation videos shown for manual and electric jacks. Interesting concept. I may need to make some type of quick disconnect for my jack.

[BarneyS]

When you post something in any forum you need to expect a discussion.
Thread closed.

[handye9]

Wow !!!

From reading all the expert recommendations and remarks:

1. I could be a clueless newbie who may not know how to operate a tongue jack. (The first time I operated one, was about 45 years ago.)

2. I could have the wrong hitch. I'm told, if the tailgate hits the jack, the hitch is wrong for the application. (I've actually got three hitches, the tailgate hits the jack with all of them, and yes, I'm aware of longer shanks, along with the dollar signs associated with them. My last two trailers had a different brand of jack and the tailgate didn't hit it. I guess the hitches were right for those applications.)

3. I could need help, figuring out what to do about rattling, theft deterrent, and storage. Not to worry, I'll be OK.


I posted this, for informational purposes. That, and I might just try one. If I don't like it, I can easily put things back the way they were, and I'm not out a lot of money. I put this here, in this section because, it could apply to hybrids, teardrops, pop ups, and utility trailers, as well as travel trailers.

If you like it, wonderfull. Some posters did. If you don't like it, that's OK, too, but, I don't need help figuring out how to wire it, or how to use it, and I don't need another hitch. I was just letting folks know this thing is out there.

[mich800]

cbshoestring wrote:

handye9 wrote:
Saw this in a Camping World catalog. Installation videos shown for manual and electric jacks. Interesting concept. I may need to make some type of quick disconnect for my jack.

Just something else to rattle while going down the road. Plus you have to worry that someone could steals the jack, while you are in McDonald's buying a big mack. Unless, of course, you add one more greasy, dirty steel contraption to your storage compartment while travelling.

I don't think it is designed to remain there during travel. You would need to store it somewhere. So no rattle and no risk of theft.

[TurnThePage]

I think it's pretty clever! After adding the power jack, I resigned myself to never opening the tailgate while hitched up. I could seriously consider this product.

[cbshoestring]

handye9 wrote:
Saw this in a Camping World catalog. Installation videos shown for manual and electric jacks. Interesting concept. I may need to make some type of quick disconnect for my jack.

Just something else to rattle while going down the road. Plus you have to worry that someone could steals the jack, while you are in McDonald's buying a big mack. Unless, of course, you add one more greasy, dirty steel contraption to your storage compartment while travelling.

[Dragonfly]

I did two things to allow me to drop the tailgate. First a longer shank which works as long as you are not too close to your weight limit. And, I rotated the electric jack 90 degrees. This turned the front facing overhang of the jack head sideways, giving me an extra 3 or 4 inches of clearance.

[coolbreeze01]

If the tailgate hits the jack, the hitch is wrong for the application.

[ChooChooMan74]

I would prefer the trailer as snug to the TV as possible. This product still wont help me though.

[goducks10]

That's pretty slick. I wish I had one when I had a TT. Hated the fact that I could never drop the tailgate. Only issue would be with the elec tongue jacks you would always have to plug and unplug the jack. It would be handy to have something more than the fuse holder for that.

[The_Texan]

Campfire Time wrote:
Or you can make sure to always crank it up properly after it's on the hitch, and buy a slightly longer shank to allow the tail gate to open.

I can open my tail gate and I have never bent a jack.

Seems to me to be a solution in search of a problem.

Exactly ...... I bought the longer shank drawbar and always wind my jack to the stops. I agree, this was made out of stupidity, not necessity.

[hawkeye-08]

Might need to run a ground wire and quick disconnect for power/grd if using electric jack.. but looks interesting for sure.

[Campfire_Time]

handye9 wrote:
Also, if the longer shank is too long, it changes your weight distribution.

Not by much that's noticeable. We're only talking 1 -2 inches. And that's only an issue if you're pushing the weight limit already.

As far as cost, how long will take you to put the tongue jack off and on every trip, and finding a place to store it? That's worth something too.

[handye9]

Campfire Time wrote:
Or you can make sure to always crank it up properly after it's on the hitch, and buy a slightly longer shank to allow the tail gate to open.

I can open my tail gate and I have never bent a jack.

Seems to me to be a solution in search of a problem.

It's got nothing to do with cranking properly. The problem is, the size of the head on the electric jack, and it's much cheaper than buying a longer shank. Also, if the longer shank is too long, it changes your weight distribution.

[Campfire_Time]

Or you can make sure to always crank it up properly after it's on the hitch, and buy a slightly longer shank to allow the tail gate to open.

I can open my tail gate and I have never bent a jack.

Seems to me to be a solution in search of a problem.