I'm looking at a 07 4X4 Screw and want to carry my ATV in the bed while towing my TT. Since I like the 5.5' bed I need to know if the tailgate can be down and not hit the trailer tongue jack with the TT connected. Pretty sure it will hit, kinda hard to know for sure though without bringing the truck home and hooking it to the TT.

I may have to go with 4X4 SCAB, but the 4X4 SCAB are very rare around here. 6.5' Screws are even rarer.

Thanks!

 

I would make specific measurements of your trailer and how much drop if any in your hitch and go to the dealership and check. I can tow with the tailgate down on my double axle utility trailer and clear the jack. I haven't checked turning, because the trailer isn't any taller than the jack.

My biggest concern would be turning. But I think you should be able to do it as long as you don't make really sharp turns. But don't take my word for it, go and check.

 

Towing with the tailgate down is generally a bad idea. If it doesn't hit the jack immediately upon opening, it will very likely come into contact with it while turning or backing.

 

I would recommend against it. You might try standing your ATV up on it's back wheels...

 

I always put my tailgate down at the boat ramps.
I know your supposed to grasp the bottom of the wheel and use your mirrors like the big rigs. I said screw that, throw my right arm on the seat back and look out the back window left my left hand on top of the wheel.

Like others have said driving with the tailgate down won't be an issue.
Turning with the tailgate down may be.
You'll could either crush the top of your tailgate
or your turning radius would be about the size of Indiana.

 

Almost every 4x4 will have enough of a drop to not hit the tounge or jack. Tight turns would be the only potential a problem. Are you sure the ATV will not fit with the tailgate up? I have two ATV's, one that fits and another that does, so yours may fit.

 

can you add a 1 or 2 foot section to the trailer? or to the hitch?

 

He didn't mention the trailer specs but adding length has the effect of increasing the tongue weight.

 

As long as the ATV wheels are in the bed, lift the tailgate off and avoid the issue entirely. Seems like the simplest idea with the least opportunity to damage truck or trailer.

 

Good idea.
If you come up short by just a few inches on the rear for the tires, you could cut a piece of 3/4" plywood the length of the bed plus just enough to do the job.

If you do this remember to have someone (or two) stand on the plywood up by the cab as the front wheels are loaded/unloaded.

 

Thanks everyone! Good suggestions for sure. I have measured and remeasured and I don't think I can put it down with the TT hooked up. It's a 27 foot TT and I added a power tongue jack which is pretty tall. If it wasn't for that I think it would work, and no, I won't be taking that off for any reason

The ATV is a Suzuki Eiger which I don't think would fit in the bed with the gate closed. Probably try the removing the tailgate or maybe building some kind of small ramp at the front of the bed so the ATV will be at an angle while in the bed. Shoot, I have some car ramps that just may work


Thanks All!

 

Yah there is no way you could leave the gate open, I can't even get mine half way down. Just run the quad up in there and with two tie down's one on each side. Hook it to the foot peg and the other end to the eye that is in the front of your bed. That will hold the quad in your truck. Don't matter if the tires hang out a little.

 

I can put my tailgate down while the camper is attached but its only a inch a away. I wouldn't drive with it down because of turns.

 

This is 2 ATV's in a Dodge shortbed 4 door. My buddy got stuck in a bad spot having to haul 2 ATV's and rigged this up. I thought you might all get a kick out of it, pretty creative. Thats a 600 Rincon standing up and a 350 rancher behind it.

 

Wow! Did he muscle it into position or use some kind of trick? Mine would definitely fit, I'd be worried to death of it falling over though