f150 gate open w/long ball mount

fwunder · July 25

It works. 2023 f150 Powerboost. 2023 Tab 400 BD. Do need to rotate jack handle just a smidge when opening or closing. Might trim it. Otherwise, I am a happy camper!

Mount: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001P1Z2LU

P.S. Before starting a religious argument about tounge weight, please watch this very informative video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OFZ0sLW9v8

Basil48192 · July 25

@fwunder
I have basically the same set-up...but rotated my jack crank to the opposite side.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/0i/m2e4u4msl310.jpg

fwunder · July 25

Thanks! I did look at this. It's not as easy as it looks to rotate handle. Amazon delivery was a lot easier. But, thanks!

B0atguy · September 11

Thanks for this idea . We have about the same set-up , 2023 Ford F150 Sport 3.5 EB , and a 2024 T@B 400 . Was getting tired of not being able to open the tail gate when hooked up to the trailer. This extended receiver fixed that problem . Ordered the exact same one from amazon , along with the 2" ball and also a hitch / receiver anti rattle clamp. Works great. Just have to figure out if I am going to modify the jack handle so it doest touch at all , or possibly may just order an electric hitch and give it a try .
Also , what did you do for the safety chain length ? Mine are a bit too short to reach the hitch now after the extended receiver .

This will also give just a little extra room to prevent the truck from contacting our Sea Biscuit extra tongue boxes (like yours) . Already slightly "jack knifed" into a box when turning sharply !

fwunder · September 12

B0atguy said:

Thanks for this idea . We have about the same set-up , 2023 Ford F150 Sport 3.5 EB , and a 2024 T@B 400 . Was getting tired of not being able to open the tail gate when hooked up to the trailer. This extended receiver fixed that problem . Ordered the exact same one from amazon , along with the 2" ball and also a hitch / receiver anti rattle clamp. Works great. Just have to figure out if I am going to modify the jack handle so it doest touch at all , or possibly may just order an electric hitch and give it a try .
Also , what did you do for the safety chain length ? Mine are a bit too short to reach the hitch now after the extended receiver .

This will also give just a little extra room to prevent the truck from contacting our Sea Biscuit extra tongue boxes (like yours) . Already slightly "jack knifed" into a box when turning sharply !

I just used a couple of stainless screw lock carabiners to extend safety chains.

Horigan · September 12

FYI. That video fails to evaluate the cantilever loads imposed on the hitch receiver when extending the hitch. These loads greatly increase when extending the hitch, hence why manufacturers recommend halving the tongue weight when extending the hitch.

Hitch receivers are typically 5" deep, and let's say the ball is typically 5" behind the back edge of the hitch receiver. With a 500 lb tongue load on the ball you have:
1000 lbs down on the back edge of the receiver
500 lbs up on the front edge of the receiver.

Extend the ball/hitch 5" further back and those loads become:
1500 lbs on the back edge
1000 lbs on the front edge

If folks are going to use a hitch extender without reducing tongue load, at least attach the safety chains to something other than the hitch receiver...

AnOldUR · September 13

Horigan said:

FYI. That video fails to evaluate the cantilever loads imposed on the hitch receiver when extending the hitch. These loads greatly increase when extending the hitch, hence why manufacturers recommend halving the tongue weight when extending the hitch.

Also overlooked is the change in lateral loads. Not only do hitch extension lighten the load on the front wheels, but by the same principle, any side force (gust of wind, passing 18 wheeler) will be amplified by the same ratio and make the lose of front wheel road friction that much more dangerous.

SLJ · September 14

Don't know how close your tailgate was but I changed to a Trailer Valet jack with the crank on the side so I could drop my Ford Maverick tailgate without unhitching. The handle also pops off so you can use an electric drill. I would not use a hitch extension under any circumstances.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/64/o6sqyi5frqff.jpg

AnOldUR · September 14

SLJ said:

… I changed to a Trailer Valet jack with the crank on the side …

We use The Ultimate Jack that can quickly be removed after hitching up. No problem swinging open the tailgate of our Wrangler.

rh5555 · September 14

Ultimate Jack is the way to go. Different tailgate problem but same solution. Simply remove the jack stalk completely after hitching up and you'd have lots of room to drop your tailgate.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/g4/6sanpoq53npy.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/rl/5kqbaft0ezei.jpg

As @Horigan points out, extended hitches are a very bad idea. You really don't want to go there. This is a much better solution.

B0atguy · September 16

I am going to pass on the extended ball mount . I just recently installed a Lippert Smart Jack to get rid of the hand crank on our 24 400 . Even with the extended ball mount , the tailgate wont open fully anyway . Really not much sense in an extended ball mount for no reason . Went back to the standard ball mount . We dont really need much access to the truck bed while the trailer is hooked up anyway ! Thanks for all the advise from both sides !

Binghi · September 17

I don’t understand the big deal about the tailgate hitting the jack handle. If you need to lower the tailgate then disconnect from the trailer and pull forward.

Basil48192 · September 17

@Binghi. I think the concern is justified.
I paid a lot of money for my truck and didn't want to ding up the tailgate. I also didn't feel like disconnecting and reconnecting the trailer everytime we stopped for ice or wanted to get something out of the cooler. 'Different stroke' I guess!

Binghi · September 17

If I need into my cooler, I reach over the side of the truck bed. I keep the cooler in the front of the bed because it’s heavy. I also keep a footstool handy to stand on in order to reach over the sides of the truck bed, or to help me step up into the bed. It is pretty wild how tall full size pickups are these days.

Jake_Elwood_and_us · September 17

Binghi Some of us have shells on our trucks so 'reaching over' is not an option.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/b5/2367ih0o2a7a.jpeg

SLJ · September 18

With a cover you have to open the tailgate first. Without a cover everything is exposed to the weather and everyone's view. Unhitching every time you want to access it is not a good option.

HedCount · September 22

I agree with @RH5555 that the Ultimate Jackup is the way to go. I have an F150 and TAB400 and being able to totally remove the jack post lets the tailgate down AND keeps from accidentally dragging the jack over dips and such. Plus, makes it very hard to steal the trailer if hooked to tow vehicle without the jack being present.

Binghi · September 23

As long as you remember to crank your OEM jack up all the way it is extremely unlikely you will drag it on a dip. And who on earth is going to steal your trailer while it is hooked up to your truck? Seems like the thief would go ahead and steal both at the same time.

fwunder · September 23

I know it's just anecdotal, but I just finished a 1723 mile trip with 20" ball mount to Acadia and back. I didn't notice any difference ( sway ) than with short ball mount (2023 F150). Was nice to lower gate along the way. One PSA - remove it if you intend to drive your TV around without trailer or you could end up towing a parked car!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/kr/1enfhmsofb2y.jpeg

Basil48192 · September 23

@fwunder. Great set-up! I have the same rack on my truck. Love the Adarac system!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/rd/c38gxsv5ckb7.jpg

fwunder · September 23

Basil48192 said:

@fwunder. Great set-up! I have the same rack on my truck. Love the Adarac system!

Yep! It works great in Toy Hauler mode!

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f150 gate open w/long ball mount

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