Multipro vs. trailer hitch

[Peter Simon]

New member here.  Waiting on my 2021 Sierra AT4 to arrive.  

 

Maybe i missed this topic so please excuse me if this is repetitive.

 

So i know all about the multipro hitting the ball hitch.  It seems like the only 2 options there are eithe a sensor for when a hitch is in or the B&W hitch.

 

I did some measuring and will need a 3-4 inch drop to tow my boat.  I see B&W only makes a 2 inch drop for the 1500s.  Also i would have to turn the ball around each time since in its lowest position it would still hit.

 

Are there any other options out there?  

Does the B&W really not make contact even if you jump on the tailgate?

 

Since i only tow my boat 1-2 times a month i might just have to remove the hitch each time I use it and save alot of money. 

As i have not received the truck yet (2-3 weeks) how easy is it to accidentally lower the part of the multipro when you have a ball hitch in place?

[Sierra50BMG]

Just take it out and put it in when needed or don’t use the multi pro tailgate, slightly annoying but saves money.

Edited January 4, 2021 by Sierra50BMG

[DemonWorks]

the tailgate operates as a normal tailgate and the user will initiate the further drop down of upper section. That's how I understand it, so the hitting the ball shouldn't be an issue if you just remove the ball when not in use or just don't use that part of the tailgate.

[19 Denali ultimate]

Anything is possible, but using a little common sense will prevent damage from happening.  Having said that, it is not as easy a mistake to happen as one would think.  The inner smaller tailgate can not be opened at the exact time as the larger one as this is a built in safety feature.  The buttons are not super sensitive so it's not like you can really accidentally hit the other button for the smaller one after opening the full tailgate, but if you do, they open pretty slow.  Even with the entire tailgate open and you still manage to somehow press the button for the inner tailgate, as I said they do open pretty slowly and one should be able to catch it before it hits the hitch.  These tailgates are nothing like the older ones where once you open them they will slam down in the fully opened position if they slip, these new ones lower slowly I am guessing by using an internal torsion spring.  Basically it acts like there is a lift gate assist cylinder on it.  Hope this explanation helps.

[Peter Simon]

Thank you all.  Makes sense.  I will buy a cheaper hitch and put it in when i tow and keep it off the rest of the time.

 

Now i just need to wait for the truck to be delivered.

[redwngr]

Curt makes a kit to detect if ball mount inserted and then disable multipro.

 

 

I've bashed knees/shins on ball mounts often enough that part of unhooking a trailer is removing the ball mount as well. 

 

 

 

Edited January 5, 2021 by redwngr

[sealberta]

I've wired a switch to disable the centre section of the tailgate.  Just a water proof switch and it intercepts a wire in the harness to the tailgate.

 

This is the link that I used to figure the wiring

https://www.tailgatefix.com/pages/installation-faqs

[kpromero]

I know people say just remove hitch but the reason I like to keep mine is when you get some that feel they have to back up all the way with their hitch and end up hitting your truck. 

[fatkid24]

The reason to remove the hitch is easy one for anyone who has been rear ended in the truck with the hitch in. Direct frame impact and the back injury that follows will remind you to never drive with the hitch in unless you’re towing something. I agree with the above comment of unhooking the trailer and removing the ball should be one process. I hope you take my word for it, and don’t learn this first hand my friend.

[LNBright]

I had a recovery hitch on my previous 4Runner, so, when I got the AT4, I stuck it into the receiver, just in case it was needed to tug someone.  It doesn't stick out far, and the clevis hangs straight down, didn't think a thing about it.   Was doing some stuff around the yard, had dropped the tailgate AND the inner tailgate... the inner tailgate, I'd set down gently, then... forgot all about it.     A couple of hours later, I started to sit down on the flipdown portion of the inner tailgate... then suddenly remembered the recovery hitch, flipped up the tailgate, and drat, I have a shallow pushed-in dent... right there in the very center of the inner tailgate, between the top lip and the top of the handle's trim. 

 

Yeah, I don't keep a hitch, not even the recovery hitch, in place now, went and got a hitch plug to stick there instead.....