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DON'T LOWER THE @#$##@%*$## TAILGATE

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by pop's, Oct 2, 2018.

  1. Oct 2, 2018 at 2:38 PM
    #1
    pop's

    pop's [OP] 1794

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    Switching from a Sequoia to a Tundra isn't that big of deal when it comes to driving, but towing is a whole different story. Ok wait what?... The issue is with the way the tailgate drops down on the 3rd leg of the trailer!
    The easy way out of the woods is to buy a class 3 Hidden Hitch. The hitch is long enough to custom tailor the length to your tailgate clearance needs. IMG_1699.jpg

    IMG_1738.jpg
    IMG_1703.jpg
     
  2. Oct 2, 2018 at 2:46 PM
    #2
    Casper3

    Casper3 New Member

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    Did you find out the hard way? :boink:
     
  3. Oct 2, 2018 at 2:46 PM
    #3
    417Tundra

    417Tundra New Member

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    Put it on the list. That there is another extension I need.
     
    rons23 and pop's[OP] like this.
  4. Oct 2, 2018 at 3:00 PM
    #4
    pop's

    pop's [OP] 1794

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    Almost
     
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  5. Oct 2, 2018 at 3:03 PM
    #5
    Casper3

    Casper3 New Member

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    Same here :rofl:
     
    pop's[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  6. Oct 2, 2018 at 3:07 PM
    #6
    Sas

    Sas Humor is everywhere

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    Lost track after #1.
    Buddy of mine found out the hard way on his truck. Thanks for posting.
     
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  7. Oct 2, 2018 at 3:19 PM
    #7
    pop's

    pop's [OP] 1794

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    You wondered right. Your defiantly dealing with a Fat guy on a Teeter-Totter when it comes to leverage. 8" is all I needed to clear my tailgate.
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2018
    Sunnier and Watt maker like this.
  8. Oct 2, 2018 at 4:59 PM
    #8
    stuckinohio

    stuckinohio MGM Crue

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    IMO the extended receiver hitch is a bandaid solution.
    The real solution is lock your tailgate or move your jack.
    Don't get me wrong, electric lift is a nice feature, nice like you never want to crank another manual jack in your life again nice.
    Increasing receiver length increases of leverage on your hitch. This directly affects front / rear weight distribution which will impact truck & trailer handling characteristics
    Max tongue weight is 980lbs @9-10in from pin (standard length receivers)=816ft-lbs of torque on hitch
    Max tongue weight @14in = 1143ft*lbs(+327ft*lbs or 40% increase) or the equivalent torque @ 14in would reduce tongue weight to 588lbs.
    I picked 14in length but my best guess in photo the ball park of 15-18in. I didn't break out the mitutoyos to scale it.
    class III hitch receivers are suppose to only be rated for 600lb tongue.
    It is easier to balance loads on a larger tandem axle but this solution is not for everyone's setup
     
    pop's[OP], landphil, Sunnier and 3 others like this.
  9. Oct 2, 2018 at 5:21 PM
    #9
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Ya’ll make me proud.

    https://www.etrailer.com/question-93372.html

    People run into this problem a lot when owning a slide in camper, and want to tow a trailer.

    Frame/hitch damage is common without one of the high dollar hitches. This is a cheap one...

    https://www.carid.com/torklift/32-s...gAUGyMzdC7aDqAHiv6OEHVTpvyGc189oaAkweEALw_wcB
     
  10. Oct 2, 2018 at 6:13 PM
    #10
    JoshuaA

    JoshuaA Canuck Member

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    My WDH has a proprietary hitch, no extensions. If I open my tailgate, it'll break the jack light so I don't open it unless I'm unhooked.

    That's a good solution though for your scenario!

    download (1).png
     
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  11. Oct 2, 2018 at 6:18 PM
    #11
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    One of my trailers I bought extended tongue to avoid this, for the others when I went to the Gen y hitch it set me back just enough that I am able to open the gate of I'm straight. If the truck is turned with the trailer hooked its still a no go.

    https://genyhitch.com/
     
    pop's[OP] likes this.
  12. Oct 2, 2018 at 10:10 PM
    #12
    Bmwinter

    Bmwinter New Member

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    I was bummed when I first connected my trailer and learned that I could not drop the tail gate. When I purchased my Blue Ox WDH, I was happily surprised that the shank was long enough to allow me to open the gate! The Atwood jack also added clearance compared to my old unit since it didn't have the large forward facing motor.20181002_220242.jpg 20170305_094315.jpg
     
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  13. Oct 2, 2018 at 10:39 PM
    #13
    Y0TA PR0

    Y0TA PR0 Oil & Gas

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    WELCOME
     
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  14. Oct 3, 2018 at 4:48 AM
    #14
    Deuxlatch

    Deuxlatch AirBus

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    OK I may be a bit naive but I've never pulled a large travel trailer before so forgive me for this question: What is this Blue Ox thing and how does it work? I have driven 18 wheelers and pulled goosenecks but never a travel trailer.
     
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  15. Oct 3, 2018 at 6:18 AM
    #15
    pop's

    pop's [OP] 1794

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    The 2" ball is 9" out of the receiver instead of 4" so adding 5" isn't going to damage a class 4 hitch or create a hazard towing a single axel trailer. There are forged hitch extensions that are rated at 14,000 pounds for $90
     
  16. Oct 3, 2018 at 7:19 AM
    #16
    stuckinohio

    stuckinohio MGM Crue

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    I am not trying to bash your solution.
    This thread reminds people to check before you drop the tailgate to prevent damage.
    Tailgate clearance is not the 1st thing I would check when being hooked up to a trailer. I appreciate the heads-up
    An enclosed single axle trailer (6x12) already has around 180lbs tongue weight
    The extended ball mount will drop your safe max tongue weight to 600lbs
    600-180= 420lb Then add electric jack + (battery to power jack?) etc.
    My point is mathematically, anything over 600lbs in the nose of your trailer without a counterbalance is likely to create an overloaded condition when using the extension. Maybe it's less, I don't your truck or trailer set-up.
    If you are aware and confident that your setup is OK great
    My intention is to educate someone new to the community that may not be familiar or even aware that this solution reduces towing/ payload / limits.
     
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  17. Oct 3, 2018 at 7:29 AM
    #17
    JoshuaA

    JoshuaA Canuck Member

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    https://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx

    You would get the WDH rated for your GTW and TW. I believe the difference in TW rating for the Blue Ox is in the bars and visually the number of dots.

    https://www.etrailer.com/question-49962.html

    The main competing WDH brand is Equalizer, there may be others.
     
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  18. Oct 3, 2018 at 7:46 AM
    #18
    JoshuaA

    JoshuaA Canuck Member

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    Totally agree! Handling/safety will suffer if weights are high, this solution requires math and is for lighter setups.
     
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  19. Oct 3, 2018 at 7:48 AM
    #19
    Deuxlatch

    Deuxlatch AirBus

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  20. Oct 3, 2018 at 9:42 AM
    #20
    WrigglingWilly

    WrigglingWilly Well used Member

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    An unsaid solution at this point, remove the tailgate when towing! I would not, but you could.
    Also, I do not know if you know, but I feel you should know, LineX can color match that lovely blue paint when you get a bed liner installed.... :spending:
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2018
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  21. Oct 3, 2018 at 10:00 AM
    #21
    Over the LINE

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    First thing I did when I bought my 4 wheeler trailer was to move the jack.
     
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  22. Oct 3, 2018 at 11:08 AM
    #22
    Over the LINE

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    I have not tried it with this truck and bumper, but my last truck you couldn't put a beer bottle on the bumper and open the tailgate.
     
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  23. Oct 3, 2018 at 11:14 AM
    #23
    xtyfighterx

    xtyfighterx New Member

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    My dad did the same time first week I bought it. Only ding on the whole truck.
     
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  24. Oct 3, 2018 at 8:23 PM
    #24
    BOBONTUESDAY

    BOBONTUESDAY Grocery Getter

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    I've done the same thing lol.
    I use a geny hitch which extends trailers with a jack on the tounge far enough. I had a cheap 90 dollar drop hitch the holes where the pins go turned into ovals after 1 year of use. You get what you pay for.

    Geny hitchCheap rated for "12k" hitch.
     
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  25. Oct 3, 2018 at 8:42 PM
    #25
    TundLee

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    Get the heavy duty leaf spring from General spring on it, if you ever replace yours. You’ll see big different of not worried about that issue. I like mines though.
     
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  26. Oct 4, 2018 at 6:54 AM
    #26
    ktugboat42

    ktugboat42 New Member

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    Too late for me. Just add it to the other bunch of scratches i already have on an 8 month old truck.
    Seems like these new trucks scratch way to easy.
     
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  27. Oct 4, 2018 at 8:37 AM
    #27
    WrigglingWilly

    WrigglingWilly Well used Member

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    I feel Toyota paint is thin compared to the GMs and Fords I have experience with. One of the few downsides of the Toyotas vs The big 2.
     
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