Solution for Gaining Clearance Between Tailgate and Trailer Jack with Weight Distribution System

Published 01/28/2020

Question:

Hello! My name is Jeff. I have a 24foot Rockwood Mini Lite travel trailer that weighs approximately 6500-7000 pounds when fully loaded. I also have a 2003 Yamaha Big Bear 400 ATV that I would like to be able to carry in the bed of my truck. It weighs about 400 pounds. I have a 2018 F-150 XLT with 5.5foot bed. I can get the ATV in the bed, but I need to leave the tailgate down. There isnt enough room between the camper hitch jack and the tailgate to tow with tailgate down, so I was wondering if a hitch extension would work. I would need at least 24inch of extension. I have an equalizer hitch. Do you have a product that would work, and still be safely within weight and hitch parameters to tow my trailer with ATV in bed and tailgate down? Thank you for your help!

asked by: Jeff

Helpful Expert Reply:

Hi Jeff!

I do have a couple solutions for you, however you won't be able to use a separate hitch extender with your Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System when towing. The kind of torque that a weight distribution system puts on the hitch connection, along with the kind of combined tongue weight you're looking at with the Rockwood Trailer and loaded ATV, will just be too much to ensure safe operation with a hitch adapter in place. All of this together will simply create too much instability.

I'm not sure how much more clearance you need to drop the tailgate, but one option is to go with a longer weight distribution shank. The longest option we have available is the Equal-i-zer # EQ90-02-4600, which measures 18" long overall, and 14" inches long from the hitch pin hole to the vertical adjustment holes.

If you are using the standard shank that came with your Equal-i-zer system, this longer unit will provide you with about 6" of additional clearance between the tailgate and trailer jack. You can also take a quick measurement on your existing shank just to be sure.

Another option, especially if the towing setup you described is something you do often, is to simply remove the tailgate when needed or replace it with something that's easily installed/removed like the Tailgate Net # TR-03.

expert reply by: Chris R