How To Tow with Tailgate Down and Motorcycle In Bed

Updated 07/12/2021 | Published 07/09/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Equal-i-zer Weight Dist Shank - 18" Long - 8" Rise, 4" Drop - 600 to 1,400 lbs TW

(509)

$173.43

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution w/ 4-Point Sway Control - No Shank - 14,000 lbs GTW, 1,400 lbs TW

(861)

$728.77

Question:

I have a 2019 F 250 lariat. I am pulling a 2021 rock wood ultra lite 2606ws trailer traveler. I have a motorcycle that I put inside the back of the truck that is about 300-400 at most 500 pounds. The problem I am running into is that I have to keep my tailgate out while driving with the trailer as the ramp I have is about 8 feet long and my bed with the tailgate closed is only 6 and 3/4 feet. The dry weight of my trailer is 6,158 pounds. The payload capacity is 2,550 pounds which I definitely am not using all of that at most I would say 500 is what I’ve put in if that. The hitch weight is 908 pounds. The ramp I have is about 200 pounds. The people I have with me are 180 and 160 and I have a dog that’s about 20 pounds. I’ve been looking into ways to carry all 3 things and the best option I found was the Draw-tite ball mount. Is this the best option for me?

asked by: Cameron B

Expert Reply:

The best option we offer for towing with the tailgate down is an extended length shank. The issue with using extended length ball mounts is you are usually limited to a specific rise/drop that may or may not work for your application and weight capacity is limited. Therefore, an extended length shank like the Equal-i-zer Weight Dist Shank part # EQ90-02-4600 combined with a weight distribution system like the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution part # EQ37141ET is the best option for longevity. This is by far the most popular setup of others towing with the tailgate down.

expert reply by: Conner L