Towing With tailgate down.

Hey guys I have a 2015 Toyota tacoma pre runner. It has 5’5 bed and I’m trying to tow with the tail gate down and bikes in the back. How long past the tailgate would the hitch need to be to turn corners without hiring the trailer?

 

All depends on the trailer and whats on the tongue. You could have a short tongue trailer with nothing up front and be fine, or something with a long tongue and tons of stuff n not have clearance. A measuring tape will tell you all that you need.

 

Depends on the trailer.

 

How long are your bikes? This worked with my quad. Would help get your tailgate up outta the way. My trailer there's no way to leave the tailgate down without it hitting my trailer jack. Also, towing forward is the easy part, backing the trailer it is far easier to get into harsh angles and need to worry about clearance. Good Luck!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/adjustable-tailgate-cables-on-the-cheap.477171/

 

A little over 6 ft

 

6 ft???

Use a tape measure to determine the length from the center of the ball hitch to the corner of the lowered tailgate (#1). Close the tailgate and hitch up the trailer. Now, swing an arc from the center of the ball hitch with a radius matching measurement #1. Any part of the trailer inside that arc has the potential to contact the tailgate.

 

Thank you the dirt bike is a little over 6ft

 

You also need to consider the up-down movement of the trailer anywhere within that arc.

Honestly if yore worried about Id just take the tailgate off

 

Remember, the arc is not for one axis or plane. Mine had plenty of clearance when towing flat but when backing the trailer up a slope, this happened. Don’t be a me and get to constantly answer the question, ‘What happened to your tailgate?’

 

Ok good to know thank you

 

Be careful with the tailgate down on gravel roads. I got all sorts of paint chips in the tailgate from stones being flung from my tires and bouncing off a small trailer. I got smart and used a magnetic sign to protect in the future.

 

If the trailer isn't too heavy one of these might help. Most of them don't recommend over 3500 lbs trailer weight.

FWIW neither my TT or utility trailer will allow me to lower the tailgate at all once hitched up, let alone tow that way. But I do use one of these when towing just to be able to access the bed while hitched to a trailer.

Hitch Extender for 2" Trailer Hitches - 8" Long Tow Ready Hitch Adapters 80307 (etrailer.com)

 

Just put the bikes on the trailer. Of get a front hitch receiver and push the damn thing #ItsFriday

 

have you tried the bike in the bed at a Diagonal position? Nosed into the front at a corner?

 

there are hitch extenders that might allow tight turns that might prevent U

crunching tailgate/bikes

 

I use an 18" hitch receiver extension when towing my raft trailer with my camper in the bed. It's an 8' camper, so the tailgate is all the way down. Works like a dream.

 

Just take the tailgate off.

 

Or this if you quick release wheels. And the tail gate can stay up.

 

I'm guessing dirt bikes, not pedal bikes.

 

Well heck that didn’t even cross my mind.