Clearance between Tailgate and Electric Tongue Jac

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techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
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Posts: 9062

Topic: Clearance between Tailgate and Electric Tongue Jac
Posted: 30 Jun 2014 at 4:30pm

Simple, easy, perfect.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Sleepless

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Joined: 07 Jun 2013
Location: Titusville, FL
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Posts: 556

Posted: 30 Jun 2014 at 11:35am

I chose the easiest solution to my tailgate clearance problem. All I did was insert a thin flat washer between the pod tongue and the front hole in the power jack mounting plate. It tilted the jack head just far enough backward to clear the tailgate, but not enough to cause undue stress due to the jack being slightly tilted.

Bob

2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD)
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche

CharlieM

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Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
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Posts: 1797

Posted: 23 Jun 2014 at 9:34am

Originally posted by Sleepless

!. I use a WDH that has a long ballmount. It is possible to drill a new hitchpin hole back from the existing pin hole in the ballmount. The problem is that this is 2" of strong solid steel and I don't have the capability to drill such a hole. I do have the drill bit and a drill press, but fear that my bits would quickly dull.

I don't know which WDH or long ballmount you have, but I used this long shank with my E2 to allow me to carry a bike rack between the TV and TT. Long shanks like this are hard to find.

http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Reese/RP3214.html

This does reduce the allowable tongue weight for the TV, but you should be OK with the Avalanche and the Pod.

Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

Sleepless

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Joined: 07 Jun 2013
Location: Titusville, FL
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Posts: 556

Posted: 23 Jun 2014 at 8:29am

I tried rotating the jack 120 degrees, but that actually reduces the distance. It put a square corner of the housing to bring it closer to the tailgate. Unfortunately, the housing on my jack is square rather than round like some other brands.

Doug, the jack cover fits snugly around the jack motor and mechanism. There is absolutely no empty space between the two. If I were to trim off the lower half of the cover, I would have just enough clearance, but I hate to disfigure the jack's appearance. As I mentioned, I only need 1/4" extra clearance, maybe even less.

One other option is a receiver extension. However, a short one is not available and they do look unwieldly when installed. Looks like I am back to the option of tipping the tongue slightly backwards.

I appreciate the comments.

Bob

2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD)
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche

techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
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Posts: 9062

Posted: 23 Jun 2014 at 7:23am

I definitely wouldn't do #1, I would worry about weakening the hitch's structure.

Is it possible to modify the motor housing - maybe there is some empty space inside? Or just add a bumper on the outside of the motor housing so the tailgate can rest on it?

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Seanl

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Joined: 19 Sep 2011
Location: Fredericton NB
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Posts: 633

Posted: 23 Jun 2014 at 7:18am

I think the mounting plate for the jack is an equalateral triangle. Can you get a little more clearance if you rotate the jack.

Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition

Sleepless

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Joined: 07 Jun 2013
Location: Titusville, FL
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 556

Posted: 22 Jun 2014 at 9:25pm

I have had electric tongue jacks on at least 6 TTs during the past several years. In all cases, I had towed with either full-sized vans or SUVs with out a clearance problem. Now I am towing with a full-sized truck (Chevrolet Avalance) and when lowering the tailgate, it will not quite clear the motor housing on the electric tongue jack. If they were only 1/4 inch further apart, there would be no problem. The jack can not be mounted in the existing holes without further decreasing the distance and drilling new holes is not possible. I have come up with 2 possible solutions.

!. I use a WDH that has a long ballmount. It is possible to drill a new hitchpin hole back from the existing pin hole in the ballmount. The problem is that this is 2" of strong solid steel and I don't have the capability to drill such a hole. I do have the drill bit and a drill press, but fear that my bits would quickly dull.

2. Insert a wedge-shaped shim between the mounting plate on the pod and the base of the jack, causing the jack to lean slightly towards the pod body.

I am leaning towards the 2nd possibility, only because it is a quick and easy project. Does anyone have an easier and feasible idea that is better?

Bob

2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD)
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche