Gate Protection From Trailer Tongue?

joly0022 · June 1, 2013

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone has come across an aftermarket or OEM product which protects the finished/outer part of the tailgate when it's down, and a trailer is being coupled or uncoupled?

For example the Titan has a section of black plastic which, when the tailgate is dropped, offers protection where the trailer gets coupled on the ball or pintle:

Thanks.

MikeNH · June 1, 2013

I have not seen anything like that nor do I really think that is the idea behind that part of the Nissan being plastic.

Why would you ever hook up to a trailer with the tailgate down anyhow? It would just obscure the hitch and make connections more difficult.

joly0022 · June 1, 2013

If the Nissan one isn't intentional it's perfectly placed.

In the case of snowmobiles and ATV's (and depending on the trailer I guess) a machine goes into the bed on ramps, then the trailer goes on. Leaving not much choice. There's room.. And on the Titan (pic from last winter) there's less worry of damage. On the Chev, there is more.

TimmyG · June 1, 2013

Take the tailgate off?

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MikeNH · June 1, 2013

It's not like the flimsy plastic will fare any better than the flimsy sheet metal. It may be cheaper to replace but I bet if you trash the plastic bit the tailgate latch goes with it, which would be a real annoyance. And realistically if the trailer came off the ball when loading, it will trash the plastic and the sheet metal behind it anyhow.

AgDoctor · June 1, 2013

I have an extended hitch that is a shock hitch. I can tow with the tailgate down with no problems. I believe the name of the hitch is Schuck Hitch. About 200 for the one I have.

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AgDoctor · June 1, 2013

http://www.schuckhitches.com/

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joly0022 · June 2, 2013

Take the tailgate off?

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My truck is a 5', 8" box... So to carry a sled or quad that unfortunately isn't really an option.

It's not like the flimsy plastic will fare any better than the flimsy sheet metal. It may be cheaper to replace but I bet if you trash the plastic bit the tailgate latch goes with it, which would be a real annoyance. And realistically if the trailer came off the ball when loading, it will trash the plastic and the sheet metal behind it anyhow.

In not talking about high impact. To dumb it down: It saves the paint from the latch (especially when verticle) on the coupler and general ****ing around when loading the trailer... Pretty simple. The black plastic on the Titan (or on a product it I hope to find) takes the brunt of it.

I have an extended hitch that is a shock hitch. I can tow with the tailgate down with no problems. I believe the name of the hitch is Schuck Hitch. About 200 for the one I have.

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http://www.schuckhitches.com/

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Great resource — With an extended hitch I wonder if I couldn't jackknife the trailer enough to even unload a machine with the trailer still on. Didn't know this existed. Thanks

TimmyG · June 2, 2013

3m clear stuff will keep scratchs down

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oldmann · June 2, 2013

If my tailgate hits the jack, I would be moving the jack. If this is not the problem, i must be missing something here.

moab11 · June 2, 2013

We just use a glove over the coupler latch to stop it from scratching. Simple and usually this is just done in the winter, so there is alwaya a glove handy.