I just need a couple inches.....
 

I'm pulling a 24' trailer with my car and race gear. Total loaded trailer weight is in the 8500 lb range. I am pulling with a 2005 Ford f350 with factory tow pkg. I have a 2 1/2" receiver and weight distribution hitch. My question is.... I can't open my tail gate because it hits the electric trailer jack. I only need a couple inches to clear. Is there a safe way to extend the hitch ball a couple inches? Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Re: I just need a couple inches.....
 

Have you looked at the available shanks that would move the actual ball aft by 2 inches? Not all the shanks have the same dimension from hitch pin hole to the ball...and course different brand weight distribution hitches may dictate which shank you can use. Know the SuperHitch brand with truss type extensions are way too expensive but offer even more..

Ive used etrailer.com for unique towing options.

Re: I just need a couple inches.....
 

If all else fails, get a solid bar 2.5 and drill and cut it to what you need. It won't break, but takes about a 12 pack to drill it.

Re: I just need a couple inches.....
 

This is the weight distribution hitch I am using.
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...e/RP66542.html

Re: I just need a couple inches.....
 

A longer ball mount would work, but rather than increase leverage on the truck, I welded on a new trailer jack mounting plate just behind the coupler.

Re: I just need a couple inches.....
 

Help me understand "just behind the coupler"?

Re: I just need a couple inches.....
 

Assume he’s talking welding on a plate just aft of the existing coupler (see link) with holes to remount the electric jack. This is probably the simpler approach unless it doesn’t work because of an existing battery/generator box on the A frame.

https://www.etrailer.com/A-Frame-Tra...CA-5400-B.html

Re: I just need a couple inches.....
 

rallye bob,


I had the same problem and did exactly what Jeff/ Jim suggested !!!! You should only need 2-3" to clear the electric jack ?? Then make sure you rebalance the trailer by ( level) checking the four corners before you Tow ???
Make sure you measure the tube and shaft, a couple times before you cut and drill for clearance ? I have had No-problems in over 10 years of Towing, Good - Luck..

Re: I just need a couple inches.....
 

I can't take a picture for a week or so. . .hopefully this description will help:
there are three box tubes coming forward to the hitch coupler, the outer ones at an angle, and the center one goes along the center line of the trailer. I made up a plate with the right size hole in it for the jack (and holes for jack mounting bolts) and welded it on top, between the center and right tubes, just behind the coupler. Then I welded in another plate with a hole just big enough for the jack's tube at the bottom of the box tubes, to make a mounting arrangement that supports the jack the same as stock. This new mount is several inches farther from the ball than the original mount setup in the coupler.