I need HELP!!!: Protect tailgate from jack

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Protect tailgate from jack

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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
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Printed Date: 11 Jul 2025 at 1:24pm
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Topic: Protect tailgate from jack

Posted By: dr2428
Subject: Protect tailgate from jack
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2018 at 5:58am

Any great ideas for protecting the tailgate from the RPod jack? I found the Jack-E-Up: https://www.amazon.com/Jack-E-Up-5048-Black-Universal/dp/B01EVTKAJG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540465016&sr=8-1&keywords=Jack-E-Up

but seems like a high price to pay despite being convenient. For now I'll pack something firm and rubbery into an old can koozie and keep it handy. I'm too old to lift a full cooler over a closed tailgate.

Thank you

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2017 RPod 179
2018 Chevy Colorado Z71 4x4

Replies:

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2018 at 7:55am

Get a longer shank for your ball or WDH, whichever you use. Most don't realize they come in lengths from 8" to about 17".. and rise/drop numbers in the same range or close to it.. etrailer is one of many places you can research and order online..

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Accessories_and_Parts-sf-Weight_Distribution-pt-Shanks.aspx

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Ball_Mounts-sf-Fixed_Ball_Mount-hs-Fits_2_Inch_Hitch.aspx

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Posted By: OldNeumanntapr
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2018 at 9:27am

Adding the WDH helped to lengthen the space, plus I glued a little piece of indoor / outdoor carpeting to the spot on my tailgate that hit the trailer tongue.

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2018 at 10:15am

+1. We use an E2 WDH, and it extends the ball just enough to clear the tailgate.

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2018 at 12:19pm

+1, we have plenty of room for the tail gate with the E2.

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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Posted By: dr2428
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2018 at 11:43am

Thank you all for the good ideas. I favor Furpod's idea, I had thought to look for a longer shank but not sure if the increased length would affect how it tows, doubtful it would be significant.

I don't plan to get a WDH yet as we are going only 20 miles away, sure is nice not to have to mess with it. The new truck pulls the 179 nearly effortlessly but I will set up the WDH before any long trips, better safe than sorry.

For right now I'll make a pad from an old can koozie and some padding.

Thank you

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2017 RPod 179
2018 Chevy Colorado Z71 4x4

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2018 at 12:57pm

Almost everyone likes my ideas... except Mrs Furpod.. she usually makes a funny face at them...

The difference in lever action caused by a couple inches of shank is almost not measurable, but IF it causes a problem, the setup was right on the edge anyways.. and that is never a good thing..

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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2018 at 2:02pm

Out of curiosity I just ran the towing weight calculator. For my rig without the wd hitch 2 inches more shank would move 10 lbs from the front to the rear axle of my tow vehicle. If you're using a commercial scale the accuracy is about 20 lbs so as furpod says the difference is literally unmeasurable. Interestingly, though, you would have to add 20 lbs more tension to the wd hitch to compensate for the 2 inches and get the 10 lbs back onto the front axle.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold