I just need a couple inches.....

rallye bob · 12-30-2018, 02:01 PM

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...

jmcarter · 12-30-2018, 02:53 PM

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.

Jeff Teuton · 12-30-2018, 08:18 PM

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.

rallye bob · 12-31-2018, 11:41 AM

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

Run to Rund · 12-31-2018, 08:09 PM

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.

rallye bob · 12-31-2018, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Run to Rund

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"?

12-30-2018, 02:01 PM	#1
rallye bob Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Genoa, Illinois Posts: 488 Likes: 8 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	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...

12-30-2018, 02:53 PM	#2
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,118 Likes: 1,970 Liked 2,678 Times in 850 Posts	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

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	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

12-31-2018, 11:41 AM	#4
rallye bob Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Genoa, Illinois Posts: 488 Likes: 8 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	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.

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	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.