Tailgate Solution that Allows 2018 Ford F-350 to Connect to Trailer without Tailgate Interference

Question:

Hello, Ive bought a new 5th wheel camper, and it has a LCI Rotaflex pin box, which talking to a Lippert rep. he called it a 1621 bolt pattern. Trouble is, on a 2018 F-350 8foot bed using a BW 25,000 lb companion hitch, with the uprights installed so the hitch is in the most rearward position, book says this is 1foot ahead of the rear axle. I cannot hook up to the camper with the tailgate down, without hitting the tailgate on the camper body. absolutely perfectly straight with the camper, the clearance is about 0.5 inches tailgate down. But in real world this rarely happens. What options are most effective for extending the king pin further forward and having a longer pin box by about 3 to 6 inches? Would like to stay at least at the rotaflexinch level of ride quality, and dont necessarily require air ride or addition shock absorption. aka, what is most budget friendly. Does the entire pin box assembly have to be replaced the portion that mounts to trailer, as well as the portion that holds the king pin? Turning clearance of the current pin box is adequate, also dont want a pin box that hangs down lower in the rear of the pin box, that contributes to contacting destroying the bed sides of the pickup when turning tightly. Camper in question is a 2019 Sierra 372lok by Forest River.

asked by: Eric J

Expert Reply:

I believe I have a better solution than what you are hinting at which solves your problem, costs less, and is much more possible since longer pin boxes aren't available. What I'd recommend is a fifth wheel tailgate part like the Stromberg part # VG-15-4000 as this allows you to connect to your trailer without having to drop the tailgate which alleviates all of the concerns you have about clearance.

I attached a review video for this tailgate for more info for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C