HOME FORUM RULES CONTACT
     
   
   

Go Back   CLASS RACER FORUM > Class Racer Tech > Support Tech


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-30-2018, 02:01 PM   #1
rallye bob
Member
 
rallye bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Genoa, Illinois
Posts: 488
Likes: 8
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
Default 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...
rallye bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2018, 02:53 PM   #2
jmcarter
VIP Member
 
jmcarter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA)
Posts: 4,130
Likes: 1,957
Liked 2,662 Times in 850 Posts
Default 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.
__________________
Jim Carter
2340 Super Stock
2340 SST/2340 Stock
jmcarter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2018, 08:18 PM   #3
Jeff Teuton
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Houma, LA
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 2
Liked 326 Times in 50 Posts
Default 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.
__________________
Jeff Teuton 4022 STK
Jeff Teuton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-31-2018, 11:41 AM   #4
rallye bob
Member
 
rallye bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Genoa, Illinois
Posts: 488
Likes: 8
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
Default 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

Last edited by rallye bob; 12-31-2018 at 11:43 AM.
rallye bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-31-2018, 08:09 PM   #5
Run to Rund
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 574
Likes: 6
Liked 44 Times in 22 Posts
Default 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.
Run to Rund is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-31-2018, 09:13 PM   #6
rallye bob
Member
 
rallye bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Genoa, Illinois
Posts: 488
Likes: 8
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
Default Re: I just need a couple inches.....

Quote:
Originally Posted by Run to Rund View Post
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.
Help me understand "just behind the coupler"?
rallye bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-01-2019, 09:50 AM   #7
jmcarter
VIP Member
 
jmcarter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA)
Posts: 4,130
Likes: 1,957
Liked 2,662 Times in 850 Posts
Default 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
__________________
Jim Carter
2340 Super Stock
2340 SST/2340 Stock

Last edited by jmcarter; 01-01-2019 at 09:52 AM.
jmcarter is offline   Reply With Quote
Liked
Old 01-01-2019, 11:42 AM   #8
Dave Ribeiro
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Williamsburg, Va.---USA
Posts: 1,836
Likes: 1,612
Liked 56 Times in 27 Posts
Thumbs up 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..
__________________
Dave Ribeiro 1033 STK
Dave Ribeiro is offline   Reply With Quote
Liked
Old 01-02-2019, 11:39 PM   #9
Run to Rund
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 574
Likes: 6
Liked 44 Times in 22 Posts
Default 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.
Run to Rund is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:38 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright © Class Racer.com. All Rights Reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.