Tailgate and Powered Tongue Jack

[skiman]

I would like to add a powered tongue jack to my 21'. Right now I can drop the tailgate of my Silverado if the crank on the manual jack is at the 12 o'clock. Are there any recommendations on a jack that might clear the tailgate? I have a Reese WDH, so my stinger is pretty long and allows my tailgate to clear.

[MadCAT3]

For what it’s worth, using the Lippert power tongue jack supplied by ETI and the Fastway E2 weight distribution hitch with our 2018 21’, towed by a 2015 Silverado 4-door, short-bed pickup, the tailgate clears by about 0.75 inch. I can send measurements of the hitch to compare with the Reese this evening if helpful.

Thanks!

Claude

[skiman]

Originally Posted by MadCAT3

For what it’s worth, using the Lippert power tongue jack supplied by ETI and the Fastway E2 weight distribution hitch with our 2018 21’, towed by a 2015 Silverado 4-door, short-bed pickup, the tailgate clears by about 0.75 inch. I can send measurements of the hitch to compare with the Reese this evening if helpful.

Thanks!

Claude

That would be awesome. Which model jack would be helpful as well. Thanks.

Looking on Etrailer it must be the 3500 lb Lippert.

[PGDriver]

Remember you can alway rotate the power head on the jack 90 degrees for extra clearance.

[MadCAT3]

Here's a picture of the Fastway E2 hitch on a Chevy Silverado 2015, 4-door, short-bed pickup: It appears the center of the ball is approximately 10.25 inches from the back end of the 2 x 2 inch receiver. I did not get the chance to check the trailer and confirm the exact model of the Lippert power jack, but I concur it is likely the 3500 lb model.

THanks!

Claude

[skiman]

Originally Posted by MadCAT3

Here's a picture of the Fastway E2 hitch on a Chevy Silverado 2015, 4-door, short-bed pickup: It appears the center of the ball is approximately 10.25 inches from the back end of the 2 x 2 inch receiver. I did not get the chance to check the trailer and confirm the exact model of the Lippert power jack, but I concur it is likely the 3500 lb model.

THanks!

Claude

The Reese is about 11 inches based on the witness marks on the stinger. Bingo! In business! Thanks.

[wdr2]

I turned our power jack and used a CURT 45230 Dual-Length Ball Mount. We have maybe 1in clearance now if the truck and trailer are parked straight. Dodge 2500 & Escape 21.

[rbryan4]

Weird thing about this issue - I think I mentioned it before but the tailgate would not go all the way down on my 2015 F150. It hit the Power Jack post about halfway down. I thought I might have to get an extended stinger, but when I hooked up my new 2018 F150, the tailgate cleared the Power Jack post with no problem. I assume the 2018 has a shorter tailgate? The receiver mount and ball extension looks identical to the previous truck.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Weird thing about this issue - I think I mentioned it before but the tailgate would not go all the way down on my 2015 F150. It hit the Power Jack post about halfway down. I thought I might have to get an extended stinger, but when I hooked up my new 2018 F150, the tailgate cleared the Power Jack post with no problem. I assume the 2018 has a shorter tailgate? The receiver mount and ball extension looks identical to the previous truck.

I only checked a few key dimensions, but from the specs published by Ford Body Builder Advisory Services the 2015 and 2018 bodies (including cargo box, including the inside height which determines the tailgate height) appear to be identical. All I can guess is that the hitch/bumper structure has changed to place the receiver box further back on the 2018, even though it looks the same. Some manufacturers show the axle to receiver distance in their equivalent documents, but not Ford so I can't tell from this source.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

I only checked a few key dimensions, but from the specs published by Ford Body Builder Advisory Services the 2015 and 2018 bodies (including cargo box, including the inside height which determines the tailgate height) appear to be identical. All I can guess is that the hitch/bumper structure has changed to place the receiver box further back on the 2018, even though it looks the same. Some manufacturers show the axle to receiver distance in their equivalent documents, but not Ford so I can't tell from this source.

That might explain it. Perhaps the receiver on the 2018 protrudes out just a bit more. It would not have taken much more distance on my 2015 for the tailgate to clear completely - maybe an inch or so.

[Vermilye]

I have a 2018 F150 STX Off Road and the Fastway E2, and it does not clear the head of the power jack. Only misses by about 1/2", and it doesn't look like turning the head will help. I'll be looking for a solution, maybe a taller post that puts the head higher...

[cpaharley2008]

You can always use the removable jack set up and a removable power cord set up.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by PGDriver

Remember you can alway rotate the power head on the jack 90 degrees for extra clearance. Attachment 33312

What we did too Pat

[jumboscott]

For those with Tundra 07-12 (I believe the same tailgate), this is how much clearance you will gain by rotating the jack head. Picked up trailer last week and ETI still uses the Lippert jack.

[mimie]

Originally Posted by jumboscott

For those with Tundra 07-12 (I believe the same tailgate), this is how much clearance you will gain by rotating the jack head. Picked up trailer last week and ETI still uses the Lippert jack.

Your post is really timely for me! About to drive to ETI to get my new 17B with power jack; tv 2011 Tundra.
Would I ask ETI to rotate the power jack head, or is that something I'll have to do when I get home?
Thanks!

[jumboscott]

They will not do it. I did it at the first campground after pickup. Ask ETI for some heavy duty zip ties cause you have to cut all of the OEM ties to get enough wire to raise jack head. Tap can be found at Home Depot. Here is the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhFyOQ4HDVU

[IBOACRES]

Buy a longer stringer. I've an Anderson WDH and my 2011 F-150 wouldn't drop down as well. Anderson hitches sells a 3" longer stringer, brought one and all is great now. Even with the E2 which use's a typical stock style stringer - there are longer stock stringer which will work. Do some research...

Thanks.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by IBOACRES

Buy a longer stringer. I've an Anderson WDH and my 2011 F-150 wouldn't drop down as well. Anderson hitches sells a 3" longer stringer, brought one and all is great now. Even with the E2 which use's a typical stock style stringer - there are longer stock stringer which will work. Do some research...

Thanks.

Stinger...aka drawbar or ball mount. I was thinking that jumboscott really needs to give the measurement of his stinger from the pin hole to the center of ball for someone to really know if this change would work on their Tundra.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Stinger...aka drawbar or ball mount. I was thinking that jumboscott really needs to give the measurement of his stinger from the pin hole to the center of ball for someone to really know if this change would work on their Tundra.

I went that route on my 2017 21. It has an Atwood Premier 3000 power jack which is symmetrical enough that turning it would gain little if any space. For my 2018 F 150 the extended stinger is 13" from pin to ball.

[jumboscott]

Forgot to add, standard Anderson WDH. 4" adjustable rack with ball.
https://andersenhitches.com/Products...k-wdez-hd.aspx