Can 2019 Ford Ranger Tailgate be Lowered with Yakima LongArm Extender Installed

Updated 01/15/2021 | Published 01/27/2020

Question:

Is the tailgate able to be down, when the extender is in the second hole from the bottom? The reason for asking is for mid-size trucks I have a Ford Ranger 4 foot wide sheets cannot fit between the wheel wells. If the tailgate is able to be down when the extender is in the second hole from the bottom the extender would be about the height of the wheel well and I could haul 4 foot sheets flat on top of the wheel wells.

asked by: Roger T

Expert Reply:

At this point in time we haven't had the chance to install the Yakima LongArm Truck Bed Load Extender # Y01149 on a 2019 Ford Ranger, but we do have some dimensions on it that I think will be useful to you.

If you check out the attached dimensional photo, the second to lowest position has the crossbar 29-3/4" above and 38-3/4" out from the center of the hitch pin hole. The actual pivot motion will be about 12" from the center of the hitch pin hole so you can use all of these to test with your pickup to see if there will be contact or if it will be close. These dimensions are also a good way to compare the height to your wheel wells as well.

expert reply by: Jon G

click to enlarge

Wilson Y.

1/10/2021

I have a Tesla model 3 with a 2" hitch in the back. I was thinking of getting this to transport a 12 foot tandem kayak. I would use a Seasucker for the front half and the Yakima Long arm for the back. Think this would work?

Jon G.

1/11/2021

Everything in me is saying that's a bad idea but I mean you're wanting to use the LongArm as it was designed to be used. I think the thing you really need to think about is that you'll be placing a lot of weight pretty far out past your rear axle. Normally this is used to catch the tail end of kayaks and so in your case you'd need to have it in the lowest position which would mean that 4' of your kayak would be past the center of your hitch pin hole - that's quite a lot of weight for a Tesla Model 3. Really I think your best solution would be to use a small trailer to transport that kayak. Attached is a link to all of our kayak trailer options that you can filter through.

Helpful Links

dept-pg-trailers-sf-roof_rack_on_wheels.aspx

Wilson Y.

1/12/2021

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately a trailer is out of the question due to space limitations. I am quite surprised that you think there would be so much weight on the long arm . I currently have a rear cargo carrier that often carries 40 pounds and then scuba tanks and weight belts in the trunk space . I would think the weight of 90 pounds distributed over the Longarm and a Seasucker monkey bar would be less.

Jon G.

1/15/2021

@WilsonY Oh if it's just 90 lbs then that might be a little different. I must have searched the wrong thing because when I was looking at how much a tandem kayak weighs because it was definitely over 90 lbs.