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Trailer jack too tall to let tailgate drop

Printed From: r-pod Nation
Category: Forest River r-pod
Forum Name: Maintenance Issues, Tips and Tricks
Forum Description: Have you ever wondered how something works? Found a good way to do something? Discovered the hard way what NOT to do? Share them here.
URL: http://www.rpodNation.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4622
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 3:56am
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Topic: Trailer jack too tall to let tailgate drop
Posted By: frozebubba
Subject: Trailer jack too tall to let tailgate drop
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2017 at 4:21pm
Hello,  
I pull my 2016 RP171 with a RAM 1500 pickup.  The RAM trailer jack that came on the RP measures ~14.5" from the base plate to the top.  Using a 4" drop ball mount, I cannot lower my tailgate all the way because it comes to rest on top of the jack.  
Looking for a shorter A-frame jack, the best I can find is a Bulldog 155032 Trailer Jack which as best as I can figure may be only 12" tall from plate to top with the handle installed (looks like the handle is easily removable if more clearance is needed).
Has anyone else had to deal with this problem and, if so, what was your solution?  
I don't want to go to a bolt on side-mounted jack because that would make addition of a WD/AS hitch impossible.

Thanks


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RP-171 behind a RAM 1500 ecoDiesel



Replies:
Posted By: frozebubba
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2017 at 5:19pm
I just stumbled across this at e-trailer in a FAQ section where another person had the same problem

"Another solution you have would be to go with a longer ball mount so that the tailgate will fall in front of the jack."

I've never seen a long one, but will look.


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RP-171 behind a RAM 1500 ecoDiesel


Posted By: frozebubba
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2017 at 3:09am
So I solved this problem with a CURT 45270 ball mount.  I have a 2016 RAM 1500 pulling a 2016 RP-171.  The ball mount has a 4" drop and is ~13.25" from pin hole to ball hole and gave me ~4.25" extension compared to my "regular" ball mount.  I did not find any other ball mount with this degree of extension without daisy-chaining an extension and a ball mount (too rickety).  I now have ~1" of clearance between my tailgate and the trailer jack crank handle when down and the safety chains are long enough to reach and have enough slack for close to a 90 degree truck-trailer angle. Other people have mentioned that this length of ball mount solved their "tailgate down" problem.  I don't think this would work with an electric trailer jack to provide tailgate clearance as the electric trailer jack head is much more bulky, but I might be wrong.  This ball mount is rated for 7500 lb and is stout.  I used a Eaz-Lift 48386 Left/Right Sway Control Adapter (did not come with locking nuts regardless of the instructions; need to supply your own locking nuts or or lock washers) with this ball mount and, because this ball mount is so stout, I had to grind off a little bit of the rearward edge of the ball mount for the Sway Control Adapter lower plate to fit without binding the attachment bolts. 
 

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RP-171 behind a RAM 1500 ecoDiesel


Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2017 at 4:31pm
We ran an 16" shank at one time, to clear an SUV tailgate..


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Mark, Susie, Micah, and The Maggie.
'11 RP177(sold) '17 Lance 2295 http://www.rpodnation.com/some-of-our-mods-so-far-with-pics_topic2786.html" rel="nofollow - FurPodsMods
'17 Ford F250 CCSB



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