Trailer and a half lowered tailgate

[ZombieCannon]

Looking to put a quad in the back of my gladiator while towing my 5x8 trailer. I want to keep the tailgate at half while I do. Would the trailer jack hit the tailgate? I’d rather be sure and ask before going and messing up the back of my truck. Thanks you for your time

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[Kevin_D]

I was driving the other day with the tailgate at half-mast, and some lumber in the back, and suddenly BANG! The tailgate dropped!
If that happens to you, it would certainly ruin your day.

Kevin

 

[Lunentucker]

What he said. One good bump and it's down. I wouldn't trust it unless something like a ratchet strap is added as a safety measure.

 

[sharpsicle]

Looks too close for comfort to me.

Could you perhaps mount the jack to a swing-down mount? That way once you're hooked up and the jack is retracted, you could swing it out of the way to reduce or eliminate the risk.

 

[ZombieCannon]

I would make sure the tailgate wouldn't drop down by securing it with a ratchet strap as well. I'm just curious if that's enough clearance while the truck articulates on the road and some elevation changes. If it seems to sketchy I just wont do it lol. I like the idea of changing the jack to a swing out but that isn't in the cards ATM. Great idea though.

 

[Jefe1018]

If I secured the tailgate, I would feel comfortable running it. Like already mentioned though, a new swinging and latching leg fixes your issue 100% and is cheap insurance.

 

[Advntrbound]

In your pic the trailer isn't 100% supported by the hitch. Bring that foot up some more and your tailgate to jack distance decreases. Could it be done? Sure. Could it be done successfully? Maybe.

 

[Labswine]

I trashed my tail gate once...was bringing home hardwood flooring, 16 boxes, ~80 lbs each, in the bed and another 16 on a trailer (took two trips for 1,500 sq. ft.).

Backing into my drive way on the second trip, the trailer got a little away from me and came around hard to the right. I thought I caught it in time.

Well, when I finished unloading what was in the bed, I discovered that the trailer jack had smacked into the tailgate and put a good sized gouge in the tailgate. I was SOOOOOO upset that I hurt my baby ?

Well, it only cost me my $500 deductible to replace the gate. Total for a new gate, painted to match and bed liner on the new tailgate (I got that from the factory when I ordered her) was $1,250.

I WOULDN'T do it!!!!

As someone suggested, maybe figure out how to remove the existing tongue jack and get one that swings away once you're all hitched.

 

[Almost]

I don't really have much to add, but would recommend a jack that tilts horizontally so it's out of the way.

That said, I'm more impressed you didn't get 15 replies on why your Jeep will be overweight.

 

[lrtexasman]

Hitch extender ?

 

[Orange01z28]

I've never even figured out how to hold the tailgate at half mast

 

[RiverMtnBeach]

Hitch extender ?

You mean a receiver bender? I learned the hard way those aren't for towing.

 

[Josh00333]

Aside form the maybe a bonk, my guess would you'll be over payload with a quad and trailer.

 

[Lunentucker]

I've never even figured out how to hold the tailgate at half mast

Zoom in on OP's photo.
You simply raise the tailgate to put slack in the cable, then loop it behind the guide piece that's about halfway of the taillight.

 

[Gatorized]

when I finished unloading what was in the bed, I discovered that the trailer jack had smacked into the tailgate and put a good sized gouge in the tailgate. I was SOOOOOO upset that I hurt my baby ?

Well, it only cost me my $500 deductible to replace the gate. Total for a new gate, painted to match and bed liner on the new tailgate (I got that from the factory when I ordered her) was $1,250.

that explains the tailgates on all those trucks with the gouge just off center - I always thought they were carrying something long and overweight on top of the tailgate and hit a hard bump! Suspect now that they all were towing with the tailgate down.

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