Community Forums

NVFlyAngler · 03-28-2023, 09:00 PM

I don't want to hijack Mr. Pelletier's thread but I've been watching with great interest. I have the same issue with my 2021 F-350 SRW (OEM 18" wheels), 26KVS and Equal-i-zer WDH. I really want a setup with a 3" shank and, when lowered, my tailgate hits the hitch ball. I may look into the Andersen product.

- Ken

Buckmountain · 03-29-2023, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NVFlyAngler

I don't want to hijack Mr. Pelletier's thread but I've been watching with great interest. I have the same issue with my 2021 F-350 SRW (OEM 18" wheels), 26KVS and Equal-i-zer WDH. I really want a setup with a 3" shank and, when lowered, my tailgate hits the hitch ball. I may look into the Andersen product.

- Ken

Hey Ken, I guess I'm fortunate to have a 2019 F350 because the ball at ~32" just clears my tailgate with the Equal-i-zer 12" shank (mine is a 2.5" receiver). Maybe I'm not thinking clearly, but a 32" ball height from the ground will be the same regardless of the type of hitch, Andersen or otherwise. The Andersen of course would be very light and easy to remove.

If the hitch ball interfered with my tailgate, I would immediately convert to an under-mount tongue. Equal-i-zer hitches work with under-mount configurations according to the manual. That was also Dave's initial recommendation above.

Mike

NVFlyAngler · 03-29-2023, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckmountain

Hey Ken, I guess I'm fortunate to have a 2019 F350 because the ball at ~32" just clears my tailgate with the Equal-i-zer 12" shank (mine is a 2.5" receiver). Maybe I'm not thinking clearly, but a 32" ball height from the ground will be the same regardless of the type of hitch, Andersen or otherwise. The Andersen of course would be very light and easy to remove.

If the hitch ball interfered with my tailgate, I would immediately convert to an under-mount tongue. Equal-i-zer hitches work with under-mount configurations according to the manual. That was also Dave's initial recommendation above.

Mike

Hey Mike... I'll have to mount my hitch and check the ground clearance. As we're going full-time in 2024 I'm probably more interested in having a 3.0" shank than solving the tailgate issue. Ideally I'd like to solve both problems. Thank you, sir!

mto502 · 03-30-2023, 06:51 AM

Just to throw my 2 cents in, I have a 2022 F350 DRW (31" tires) and the ball hits the tailgate on mine as well (2022 29TRX sitting at 32" high at coupler). I have a Gen Y and adapter and Blue Ox WDH. The ball is sitting quite a ways out back there but not quite enough to clear the ball. Turning radius is fantastic though in that I can make a hair pin turn and the trailer won't come close to hitting the truck.

Rubyspal · 03-30-2023, 06:37 PM

I have had the same tailgate issue with 2 travel trailers (Artic Fox 32A and now an Outdoors RV 250 RDST) with 2 Ford Super duties (2019 F350 CCLB DRW and now a 2022 F350 CCLB SRW).
I talked to Equalizer about getting a 3" shank long enough so my tailgate would open, but they said no go due to engineering and testing required....

I have been using a 2.5" by 12" shank with my Equalizer hitch while shopping for a solution.

I found a 2" by 18" Equalizer shank and bought it along with a 2" to 3" adaptor that adds 4" to give me a total of 10" addition, which does clear my tailgate. I have not towed with this yet and won't until I get Cat Scale weights using my initial setup. Both the 18" shank and the adaptor are rated at, or above 14,000 and 1,400 lbs tongue weight. If the weights are within ratings it would be nice to regain my tailgate when towing, but I don't want to take any risks in doing so.....

BLK-9 · 03-31-2023, 06:49 PM

Yeah, I'm still researching for a hitch where my 2016 RAM 3500 DRW rear tailgate doesn't hit. The only product i can find that extends out farther from the receiver is weigh safe. From the receiver pin to the hitch ball provides ~ 2.5 -3 inches as compared to the 2' shank blue ox i'm using.

Big Dozer · 04-01-2023, 08:43 AM

I’ve got the Anderson set up with a 3” shank. Really happy with it after 3 seasons and 18000kms of towing. I’m no engineer (just a heavy duty mechanic) but doesn’t a longer shank amplify the tongue weight? When you grab a longer ratchet or add a snipe the force increases. Also with anything smaller than a 3” shank you have to use spacers and there’s play in the spacers. The longer the shank the more the play is amplified. If you’re adding the longer shank to get past the tailgate maybe look @ raising the back end of the truck, slight lift, taller tires, etc.

NevadaNick · 04-01-2023, 12:07 PM

I just got used to the dent in the tailgate.

karirick · 04-02-2023, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevadaNick

I just got used to the dent in the tailgate.

Lol!!!

NevadaNick · 04-02-2023, 08:06 AM

There is always the option of switching to a tailgate thats made for fifth wheels.

Dave Pelletier · 04-02-2023, 07:37 PM

I just got back from a 3000 mile trip using the 3" Gen Y and a generic equalizer ball mount. The hitch worked great and I can jack knife without any truck to trailer contact. The torsion hitch was great on some rough highways. I still can't lower the tailgate without removing the hitch and since I don't want to lose my 360 camera and backup cam, my only solutions are to remove the 200 lb hitch every time I want to unload something big or to install an undermount coupler on my ORV.

mto502 · 04-02-2023, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier

I just got back from a 3000 mile trip using the 3" Gen Y and a generic equalizer ball mount. The hitch worked great and I can jack knife without any truck to trailer contact. The torsion hitch was great on some rough highways. I still can't lower the tailgate without removing the hitch and since I don't want to lose my 360 camera and backup cam, my only solutions are to remove the 200 lb hitch every time I want to unload something big or to install an undermount coupler on my ORV.

That torsion hitch is one big chunk of steel. I have a hard enough time removing the GenY drop hitch I have but at least I can take it off in pieces to split up the weight.

Dave Pelletier · 04-03-2023, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mto502

That torsion hitch is one big chunk of steel. I have a hard enough time removing the GenY drop hitch I have but at least I can take it off in pieces to split up the weight.

It is indeed. I'm gonna have to weigh it but it's very heavy. I like to think I'm a strong guy but that hitch isn't fun to re&re..... I did help myself at home by having a 4 wheel dolly with a wood crib on it about 1/2" less high than the hitch so I can just pull it out, drop it on the wood and then wheel it to a corner of the garage. In the field, I'm going to make another crib and just pull the hitch out and drop it down then drive the truck forward!

Dave

mto502 · 04-03-2023, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier

It is indeed. I'm gonna have to weigh it but it's very heavy. I like to think I'm a strong guy but that hitch isn't fun to re&re..... I did help myself at home by having a 4 wheel dolly with a wood crib on it about 1/2" less high than the hitch so I can just pull it out, drop it on the wood and then wheel it to a corner of the garage. In the field, I'm going to make another crib and just pull the hitch out and drop it down then drive the truck forward!

Dave

According to Gen Y it's 114 lbs. I'm assuming this is the hitch you have, but 114 lbs doesn't include the WDH you have attached to it and the adapter, but you should be able to separate those two?

The BOSS TORSION-FLEX 3″ Shank 6″ Drop 3.5K TW 32K Hitch & GH-0161 Dual-Ball