Life-Changing Travel Trailer RV MOD: How To Fully Open Your Truck Tailgate WITH A Trailer Attached!

[@rvgearandfar]

🏘 *Join the RV Gear & Far Group Here:* www.rvgearandfar.com/rvgfyt ⭐🌟 *Check out ALL the products and gear we recommend here:* ⭐🌟   📦 www.amazon.com/shop/rvgearandfar 📦    ⭐⭐ *Examples of Products Used In This Video* ⭐⭐ 🔷 Lippert Power Jack: amzn.to/3YiqEqQ 🔷 5/16” Taper Tap: amzn.to/3Ye71zQ 🔷 5/16” Taper Tap: amzn.to/3DCpe0A (This is what I used in the video - shows as "unavailable" at this time - see alternative link above) 🔷 Dee Zee Tailgate Assist:amzn.to/3KkfYC9 🔷 Tailgate Ladder: amzn.to/3KnZuJb ⭐ Easily Install a Tailgate Ladder on Your Truck - NO MORE JUMPING! kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2OZd6yebLqHhKM *_DISCLAIMER_*_ We participate in several affiliate programs that earn us a commission on purchases made through our links at no extra cost to you!_ _Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we will receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases._

[@marty5974]

I did this. Luckily the holes were there, I simply had to tap the threads. I rotated mine so the control buttons face the driver side. I find that more convenient when backing the truck or when I'm ready to pull truck forward. Great explanation though!

[@rvgearandfar]

Awesome! Super handy right? I like the passenger side just for the fact that if I ever have to drop the trailer on the side of the road that its easier to access on the off road side. Happy camping!

[@bretmohler9719]

i was thikig the same thing but then his response about the passanger side also makes sense. its almost like they need to make this jacks in this orientation with button still centered towards the truck. its obviously a common issue so if you solve for that im sure many would upgrade or at least choose it over the competitor. i will try this mod soon, hopefully already have the holes so i dont have to drill it first but time will tell.

[@charlessantose4100]

Thank you very much for posting this! After my old tongue jack died mounted the same tongue jack as you and it installed on my trailer in not much more time it took me to type this. 3 bolts and a rattle gun. Then I opened the tailgate of my expedition except it wouldn't open -- not just pickups have problems with this tongue jack. Took your suggestion and drilled, tapped one hole, installed the bolt and then did the second hole. A bit of wiggling and finger tightening and done! If you're reading this do not be afraid of this mod. Lowes has the correct tap in a package with the right size drill bit. Less than a Big Mac.

[@rvgearandfar]

Love it! Well done - it'd be awesome if it was drilled and tapped from OEM and it gave customers the option out of the box

[@cherylcase252]

I love all your super helpful and practical modifications. Keep em coming

[@rvgearandfar]

Thanks, will do! Happy Camping ◡̈

[@bernardstevens3613]

8/24/2023 - finally took the time to move the head on my Tongue Jack! It was so easy; (mine already had the 2 extra holes), Thanks for the video, and the information! ((((BTW - I gained 5 1/2" of clearance after the move!))))

[@rvgearandfar]

Fantastic! So glad the holes were that and that it was a simple mod!!!! I use it EVERY travel day - enjoy!

[@Wheelman151]

Nicely done! Very good audio & video. Procedure well explained.

[@rvgearandfar]

Thank you kindly!

[@tru3sk1ll]

0:30 "I need a few more inches.....": Don't we all buddy, don't we all

[@mehGyver]

LOL

[@rvgearandfar]

😂😉

[@johnfertsch6839]

I'm going to look into doing that mod this weekend! I too have a Ram 1500 and that same new jack that you have. Fingers crossed that i have the holes pre drilled out... Like the side ladder as well and having it off on the passenger side makes better sense this way if your on the side of the road or what not its just over all easier... Like what one of the other guys suggested and did, have the controls on the drivers side. Not worry about that jack light, lol, i have a set of 6 inch spot/flood led lights that i mounted to my Rams back bumper just inside of the tail pipes and that helps out so much better at night.

[@rvgearandfar]

Sounds like a plan - let me know how the mod goes - fingers crossed you have pre drilled holes too!

[@gardnetbush9768]

Very first thing you want to do is get way better wheel chocks lol

[@rvgearandfar]

Agreed! These are the chocks I have and now recommend: amzn.to/3qactHs & amzn.to/3rW8Zc1

[@gardnetbush9768]

@rvgearandfar yes I got two sets lol

[@gerrymatheson4020]

Where did you see his wheel chocks. I missed seeing them. I even went back and rewatched and still don't see any wheel chocks. What's wrong with them?

[@hermanboyd3367]

I want to thank you for the turn 90 Degrees on the jack. I have been wanting to do that for a long time. (bolt pattern on mounting can not pivot tried it.) Lippert's lift cracked and was leaking so they sent me a new one. So I had one to tear apart and see if it was changeable and it was. So it is now at 90 degrees and I can open tailgate when hook to RV. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. P.S. the replacement was not drilled or taped. But the old one was drilled, not tapped. Thanks again.

[@rvgearandfar]

Love it! Yeah I think the old ones used to have all four holes - the new ones only 2 - major bummer - it could be a major marketing sales point if they just drilled and tapped all 4 holes and let the customer determine orientation.

[@mad125100]

Great idea. I will be doing this

[@rvgearandfar]

It is absolutely a game changer and SO convenient!

[@jasonj1442]

Alternate method: unbolt the jack from the frame, turn it 90* and drill 3 new holes in the frame and bolt it back in (maybe spray paint to holes to prevent rust before bolting the jack back on). Just a thought, especially if you don't have a set of taps.

[@rvgearandfar]

I mean… yes… but I’d rather wait for the mailman to deliver a tap than to drill 3 new holes in the attachment bracket so close to the original holes

[@normtaylor9844]

Could you just rotate it 60 degrees and use the same mounting holes?

[@MichelPoirier-Mipo]

If the jack plate is round (like Husky), drilling new holes in the plate is less work than drilling the frame and no tapping to do. Just have to use transfer screws to mark the 3 new holes location on the jack plate.

[@rvgearandfar]

@@normtaylor9844 the holes aren't in an equilateral triangle - so they don't line up if you do that - that was the first method I tried out ◡̈

[@thomaspalliser1877]

Did this mod, mine didn’t have the holes either. Had to drill them. Works great with 2020 Chevy 2500.

[@rvgearandfar]

Fantastic! Glad it worked well for you - its one of the best mods I've done - we use it on every travel day.

[@hgoff5617]

Fortunately i have a F250 with a step in the tailgate. I just pull the step out and it goes behind the jack and the tailgate opens completely. Great suggestion for all others.

[@rvgearandfar]

Oh interesting! Very cool that it lines up exactly for you to slide it over the top like that ◡̈

[@tbdrummer67]

What kind of bed cover is that? I like the sliding concept.

[@rvgearandfar]

Its a Gator Trax - Its been ok but I'd definitely be doing research again if it broke or I got a new truck. realtruck.com/c/exterior-accessories/tonneau-covers/retractable/

[@dougfresh1341]

Gave ya a Sub for the idea. Our tailgate hits right on the switches when folded down..Grrrrrr. I have used our 5 gallon bucket to put over the Jack head. But this is a better solution to be able to completely open the gate.

[@rvgearandfar]

Did it work out for your setup- - were you able to rotate the jack head?

[@dougfresh1341]

@@rvgearandfar it’s on my Spring list. But it looks like I’ll be able to disconnect the jack and turn it. The three mounting bolts are equal degrees on the triangular holes.

[@paula.2422]

Great idea. I'm curious why you faced your controls to the passenger side rather than the driver's side. Was it simply an oversight?

[@EJ42955]

Was gonna mention that, also.

[@rvgearandfar]

Nope, it was intentional. 95% of the time I'm backing into a spot, or hitching up with my wife as the spotter - and she's typically on the passenger side. Plus, if there is ever an issue on the side of the road I'd prefer to be on the off road side. Also, I leave the cover on 100% of the time, so I don't "look" at the switches anyway- so reaching over and feeling from the drivers side is easily done as well.

[@billwells3836]

A hitch extension is way cheaper than a jack and gives more turning capabilities

[@rvgearandfar]

Possibly- but many rigs already have this jack installed and just need to swivel the motor head

[@Yielar1]

Weakens the design of the hitch by adding leverage. I like this idea better

[@jay-jay017]

i love the split tailgate on my ram.

[@rvgearandfar]

Does the short side clear the tongue jack?

[@dcremin1536]

Very nice video, thank you! One question. Why wouldn't you rotate it the opposite direction? You are most likely to operate the tongue jack from the drivers side of the vehicle when attaching or detaching the trailer.

[@rvgearandfar]

Typically we hook up with two people - so its easier for the other person to be on the passenger side. Plus, if on the side of the road I want to be on the passenger side as much as possible. Either way works ◡̈

[@jaredbradley4095]

Got a Bulldog 500187 it allows you to rotate left, right or center. Also comes with nuts..

[@rvgearandfar]

Awesome!

[@47vulcanride]

You're a pretty smart Kid

[@rvgearandfar]

Hope its helpful! Happy camping

[@robertdahlgren622]

I did this to my 2018 Rockwood Mini Lite five years ago so that the tailgate on F-250 would clear. Don’t know why manufacturers haven’t done this already.

[@rvgearandfar]

Or at least thread holes in both directions so the customer can choose!

[@johndavidson383]

Do you know that you can just turn the whole unit, the bolts will still line up.

[@rvgearandfar]

Actually, its not a right triangle and the holes will NOT line up - that was the first thing I tried ◡̈

[@geoffmolyneux9173]

I would grind a point on spare bolt, and use this point to get your actual center mark.

[@rvgearandfar]

That would be a great solution!

[@Freedomjustice-DC]

Great video

[@rvgearandfar]

Glad you enjoyed it - hopefully it was helpful

[@diverm2371]

I so hope this works, already took out 2 switches.

[@rvgearandfar]

Ouch! I hope it works for you too. The tailgate assist is super helpful too, if nothing else you might not crush any more switches!

[@diverm2371]

Working like a dream. Wish I did this a long time ago. The switches are facing me, and I can open the tailgate all the way. Thanks

[@supersnot4]

7:50 get a crimp tool, even the Doyle one from Harbor Freight is 1000x better than crimping with pliers.

[@rvgearandfar]

Agreed (its held fine 3 years) but a crimp tool is definitely the better tool option - honestly not sure why I was using it there - maybe I couldn't find the right pliers? Not sure, but I definitely agree with you.

[@timwaddell9450]

The one thing i dont like about the lci unit, is there isnt a drop foot for it. I need to do some more looking around to see if i can find one.

[@rvgearandfar]

Would the Fastway Flip foot work for what you're wanting? amzn.to/3YFoUKb (amazon affiliate link)

[@scsurface1]

Could you just turn it 1/3 after taking out the first 3 bolts?

[@rvgearandfar]

Its not an equilateral triangle, so the holes only line up in one direction on the frame

[@kweston5875]

Looking for a retractable bed cover for my 2020 ram, what one do you use and do you like it?

[@rvgearandfar]

I'm using a GatorTrax - its meh - I'd probably spend a bit more and get a different one - but haven't looked at them in awhile to give an exact recommendation.

[@KooLaidblue]

Might of missed it, but why didn't you go straight to the battery? Rather than the junction box really far away...

[@rvgearandfar]

Just wanted to rewire it as it was from the factory.

[@jimsdimideas5383]

Nice hammer! 😜

[@rvgearandfar]

Ratchet head, hammer - agreed probably not the best practice ;)

[@TheCSRTech]

Good idea, but is the juice really worth the squeeze of buying a new power jack? Also, they make these things called "punches" for marking hole locations, and hammers - they make hammers.

[@rvgearandfar]

For me, yes it is absolutely worth the squeeze. I carry four bike on top of the truck bed - so when the RV is hooked up you can't really access the bed from the top, so having the ability to let the tailgate down has 100% been worth it. And I'd spend the time and money to do it over again in a heartbeat - 1000% worth it.

[@buddylopez5391]

Great video do you think a 5/16 self taper would work?

[@rvgearandfar]

I think the self tapping bit portion would be too long and run into the middle screw/stem and not get the whole thing threaded

[@dw7094]

Why not just get a longer shank on the WDH to start with?

[@rvgearandfar]

If you already have the Lippert Jack - a new shank will be more expensive - but a different shank is also another solution to the tailgate clearance issue.

[@anthonygraham2956]

I am so doing this tomorrow

[@rvgearandfar]

How'd it go?

[@keithm163]

Wondering what you didn’t have it face the drivers side?

[@rvgearandfar]

95% of the time I'm backing into a spot, or hitching up with my wife as the spotter - and she's typically on the passenger side. Plus, if there is ever an issue on the side of the road I'd prefer to be on the off road side. Also, I leave the cover on 100% of the time, so I don't "look" at the switches anyway- so reaching over and feeling from the drivers side is easily done as well.

[@hgoff5617]

why did you not face it street side? that would be more convenient when getting out of the cab

[@rvgearandfar]

95% of the time I'm hitching and un hitching with help from my wife - and she is usually on the passenger side - plus if I'm on the side of the road I'd rather be on the passenger side of the vehicle - choose whichever works best for you ◡̈

[@kaivonmortazavi8656]

If you cant turn it, you can always buy a longer shank hitch without buying whole new jack

[@rvgearandfar]

True

[@BrunoBrix11588]

Look up a jack E Up I love mine

[@rvgearandfar]

Its a cool product! This was a one and done modification though - don't have to lift or disconnect the jack each time ◡̈

[@dpsflyboy]

So rather than do all of that, why couldn't you have just taken the three mounting nuts off where it bolts to the tongue, turned the original jack around 1/3 turn or 2/3 turn to reposition the whole jack and then put the nuts back on? Am I missing something?

[@rvgearandfar]

Its not an equilateral triangle- so if you do that, only two of the holes lined up - yes that would have been much simpler- but unfortunately doesn’t work

[@RobinMurray-h3g]

I have a RAM 1500 and trailer with a manual jack and i cant open my tailgate..

[@rvgearandfar]

Bummer - you could potentially look at getting a longer shank for the hitch

[@frankl5675]

Buy a propride 3p hitch and not only will you have the safest hitch you won’t have this problem.

[@rvgearandfar]

Thats another option

[@billhutchins7849]

I really wonder why lippert doesn't just change the design rather than put users through all this. Just face switches towards driver side, put lights facing fwd. nobody is going to complain as much about reaching from passenger side to raise and lower vs not being able to easily open close their tailgate

[@rvgearandfar]

Or just drill and tap all four holes and have it be a marketing attribute that you can place it any direction you choose

[@carlpetersen5983]

just rotate the entire head so the controls are on the back side no drilling necessary

[@rvgearandfar]

The shaft is not in the center of the head - so turning it 180 runs it into the propane tanks

[@electrake2063]

Or you could do what I did. Buy a new weld-on three hole mounting plate for $5, remove the jack and cut off the three ears of the old mounting plate on the jack, then orient the new plate at 90-degrees and weld on the new plate to the leftover mounting plate still on the jack. Clean and paint, and re mount.

[@rvgearandfar]

You could - but since I don’t have a welder a drill bit and tap is significantly easier

[@HandiLuv]

Install a Hensley Hitch and you will kill 2 birds with one stone. #1 You will have in my opinion the best travel trailer hitch on the market. #2 A Hensley Hitch already allows for the tail gate to open FULLY without coming in contact with your tongue jack. Problem solved X2!!! 😊

[@rvgearandfar]

While true, it is a SIGNIFICANT investment

[@jeffgunner1195]

@rvgearandfar best investment you'll ever make... our family has 3 and 1 propride.... zero sway period..... can't happen.... I tow 10000 lbs in any conditions.... never white knuckling...

[@HandiLuv]

@@rvgearandfarYou get what you pay for 😊. Significant investment indeed. I’m not trying to save money when it comes to my safety and peace of mind while towing my rid up and down the highways. But yes your option is indeed viable for people who rather not make the investment into a Hensley Hitch or folks who just so happen to have a hitch that has the tailgate issue. So your option/suggestion is very good.

[@mattgraff2563]

Mine opens but the gate hits the ball.

[@rvgearandfar]

Oooo - thats no bueno! Bummer that it has to be so tall- how tall off the ground is your trailer frame? Or is your truck really low that need that much rise?

[@HemiDad1963]

Not sure what I’m missing. Why not just put the unit in rotated 120 degrees?

[@vitalej00]

He explained his unit does not rotate

[@rvgearandfar]

Unfortunately, those three mounting holes are not a perfect triangle and therefore the mounting bracket ONLY lines up in this orientation. That was my original plan but unfortunately isn't possible.

[@HemiDad1963]

Thank you both for the answers. I understand now. Happy Camping.

[@gr8705]

Owned my bumper pull travel trailer for 7 years and have never had a situation where I would need to do this. It makes sense, and it is just a poor design from the manufacturer!

[@rvgearandfar]

And we use it ALL the time - shows how one piece of gear can be super important to some and absolutely unimportant to others ◡̈

[@bradb712]

Why don’t they build it like this already? I guess it would be too practical.

[@rvgearandfar]

You'd think it would be a marketing feature - "easily swap the motor head 360 degrees to put it where you like it best!"

[@Hunterlewis675]

Why not just rotate the pole? Ezzee peezy

[@rvgearandfar]

Unfortunately its not so easy - mounting points arent a perfect triangle so when you rotate it the holes don’t line up

[@keithtate3770]

You could have saved yourself a lot of time and money by removing the three bolts that bolt it to the tongue and turning the whole thing to the side and then putting your three bolts back in

[@rvgearandfar]

Actually, its not a right triangle and the holes will NOT line up - that was the first thing I tried ◡̈

[@slashsplat]

Don't try to con me to stay to the end when you could just edit in the huge "timesaving" update into where it should have been. I don't like being manipulated. Thanks.

[@rvgearandfar]

Hope you have a nice day ◡̈

[@Yukonjackman1]

Its not the same model Smoke and mirrors video You should have used the same model of jack

[@rvgearandfar]

Did you watch the video? Its not possible with same model of jack unless you cut it off and reweld it. No smoke and mirrors involved.

[@talonpilot]

That’s not really a mod so to speak but a jack replacement that cost $250ish. Yes, you turned the controller head 90* but didnt mod anything!

[@rvgearandfar]

You're both correct, and incorrect. Yes on my rig- I replaced the jack - however - a HUGE number of rigs come with the Lippert Jack already installed - and therefore its modification of that piece of equipment.

[@SafonerRVA]

Hey，Joshua！ Just sending you an email. pls check!

[@rvgearandfar]

Reply sent.

[@SafonerRVA]

I am always your big fan!!!!😁@@rvgearandfar

[@charlieodom9107]

Mine hits the top of a manual jack, so this won't work for me. Im going to have to weld new mounts to mine in order to get clearance.

[@rvgearandfar]

You could get a longer shank and skip any welding

[@charlieodom9107]

@rvgearandfar no, I can not. With a longer shank, the hitch moves too far behind the axle, making weight distribution nearly impossible to achieve. I can't even move the jack back either, because I have a triple tube tongue on my trailer, so the only option is to install dual landing gear like a 5th wheel.

[@charlieodom9107]

@rvgearandfar I do have a solution, though. I'm just going to get an F-250 and lift it about 8 inches. Tailgate should clear then!!!

[@rvgearandfar]

@@charlieodom9107 I mean there's always A solution ◡̈