Can't open my tailgate - Tongue jack is in the way

[Richard6959]

So on my new TT when I am hooked up I can't open my tail gate. Is there a way to correct this?

[x96mnn]

Depending in the hitch and the toung weight you may be able to. I had a reese hitch that had a long shank and two connection points. The furthest back was rated for 1500pds while extending it rated it for a 1000pds. My first trailer it was no issues with a toung weight in the 600pd area but my second one was cutting it too close.

[{tpc}]

I don't recall which maker of tongue jacks but I have heard there is one that is shorter? Or maybe longer? that helps with this situation. I have also heard on some brands, husky I think , you can rotate how it is mounted to help as well.

With my wifes truck, an envoy, it opens just fine. We don't pull with that anymore, and with my tahoe I can't. In fact I am always mindful to disable to auto opening thing so I don't accidentally mess something up. Thankfully for have glass that opens in the back for access when we need it.

Just realized you have a pickup. So maybe rotating the jack 90 degrees would help?

[BOWWOW]

Maybe try a fifth wheel air gate, unless you have a topper.
Upside it might also weigh less.

[Katt]

I use to have this problem until I bought an Atwood power tongue jack. The power unit is up higher and it allows me to lower my tailgate with about a 1/4" of clearance.

[crohill]

What kind of truck do you have...I had this issue with a GMC Yukon.

[tech740]

I think it varies by truck. I had a Silverado and mine worked fine. Now I have a F150 and the tailgate is physically taller. Rotating it won't help on my case. Not sure about the dodge lineup.

[wayfun]

I couldn't open the lift gate on my Tahoe due to it hitting the jack. I drilled new holes in the jack flange and rotated it 180 degrees and obtained about 1/2 and inch of clearance.

Dennis

[davidjsimons]

I could not open the tailgate on my Dodge either. I replaced my tongue jack with a 24" stroke Barker 3500 VIP, rotated the head 90 degrees and now my gate opens with plenty of clearance.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by tech740

I think it varies by truck. I had a Silverado and mine worked fine. Now I have a F150 and the tailgate is physically taller. Rotating it won't help on my case. Not sure about the dodge lineup.

It does vary by truck and/or by hitch (as well as by trailer)

The tailgate height transforms to tailgate "length" when open. The taller the bed rails/tailgate, the more it will extend when the tailgate is down.

The hitch receiver is permanently mounted to the truck frame. It won't move, but the hitch head that inserts into the receiver can vary in length. The closer the hitch head (ball) sits to the truck, the closer it will position the trailer A frame to the tailgate. There are available hitch heads with more than one hole for the hitch pin. If you have an adjustable hitch head, moving it back may give added clearance. If you do this, check your hitch as some weight limits are changed on some hitches. Also, the further from the rear axle the ball sits, the greater the chance of sway, so you may find it won't work for you.

The trailer A frame is almost as "personalized" as human fingerprints. Almost every trailer brand has a slightly different configuration and where the hole is drilled for the jack can vary as much as a couple of feet or as little as an inch or so.... Many times, it's possible to have another plate welded behind the existing one, remount the jack and gain significant clearance. Or, as stated, simply turning it 120 degrees can make for enough clearance.

No matter the reason, being able to get into the bed of the truck without damaging it by hitting the trailer jack is a necessity for most campers. There are solutions, depending on the distance, it is probably not as difficult as it might seem.

[sibwolf]

I have same problem. Bought a longer shank. Simple fix. I don't recall the brand, maybe curt. But now I can fully open tailgate.


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[golfpro]

you should check to see if the head of the jack will or can be turn to the side position so it will clear the tailgate.

[mflrjhn]

I ran into the same problem. Also I carry a golf cart in the bed and the rear seat footrest goes beyond the jack area. I moved my propane tanks, jack and battery back 12" . Fabricated new brackets and jack mounting plate. The ball mount I used was a curt D900 from etrailer. If I remember correctly the ball mount gave me an extra 7" over a normal length. That alone would probably give you enough.
http://www.etrailer.com/p-D900.html

[Richard6959]

I was successfully able to spin the head of my jack so now I have the necessary clearance. It only took about 45 minutes and was a little hairy as I wasn't sure what I was doing.

I first placed a jack under the tongue since I didn't know if the integrity of the jack would be compromised while working on it. I then unscrewed the top plastic cover, then the top of the jack. The jack would not spin, so I lifted the head and the attached screw up about 6 inches and heard a metallic clunk down in the shaft. That is when i got worried. I was then able to turn the head to face the rear. When I tried to set it back down into place it wouldn't go. So with some help we bumped the switch a couple of time to get the shaft turning a little at the time. about a half turn later, the screw/shaft fell right into place again. I bolted everything down again and test the jack. All seems well.

Thanks everyone for the tips.

[Richard6959]

I should have mentioned, the bolt patters didn't allow me to spin the whole jack. Also, I mounting plate was not square so turning it to the side was not an option. I had to spin it 180 degrees.

[billandjan]

Originally Posted by sibwolf

I have same problem. Bought a longer shank. Simple fix. I don't recall the brand, maybe curt. But now I can fully open tailgate.

I had the same solution. Eaz-Lift had a long shank to solve the problem.