Thinking of buying a Scamp 13 or 16 or perhaps a Casita 17 spirit. Does anyone know for certain if my rear opening hatch on a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan will swing upward without hitting the hitch or the jack pole while the minivan is hooked to these trailers? Need to know before I buy a trailer for this future tow vehicle..
Sat, 10/10/2015 - 20:49
#1
Does Grand Caravan's rear hatch open when trailer hooked up
I tow with a 2012 Dodge Grand caravan and have no problems with clearance on hatch opening while trailer hooked up.
Swenny
Even if the jack is in the way, it should be an easy fix... To repeat (for the rest of the group) what was said in reply to your query elsewhere:
Tailgate does not open with my Scamp 16 and Toyota Sienna but that should be an easy and not expensive fix for either of us.
I am going to try and pick this up today to solve that issue:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/the-ultimate-trailer-jack
Good mail order source seems to be:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Ultimate-Jack-Trailer-A-Frame-Jack/221810917217
Another option is Jack-E-Up (Black)
but it seems to bm that you would be spending more money for less functionality.
Using one of these jacks, don't you still have to unhitch the trailer from the van to open the tailgate?
RE: "Using one of these jacks, don't you still have to unhitch the trailer from the van to open the tailgate?"
As I understand how it works, no (for the Ultimate Jack at least). You can lower the inside part of the jack enough that the hatch / rear door will open. And since the jack is now lower, this also means you don't have to crank as much, or use blocks under the jack, to get the tongue raised off the tug's ball. (Although a sand pad or wood block is still needed to stop the jack from going into the ground).
Or if you want, you can lift the entire inner part of the jack out (the part with the handle on top) and remove it to get the back door of the tug opened, but of course then you would need to have the trailer raised and on a jack stand or similar if you were unhitching. If the jack is removed for travel, it would need to be replaced for the unhitching, but afterwards could be removed again.
Now with my Scamp, the OEM jack handle is above the main part of the propane tank as it is cranked, but on the Ultimate Jack, the handle when lowered will hit the tank. I am pretty sure I can just flip the handle around. In other words, turn the handle 180 degrees until it hits the tank, flip it over, turn it another 180 degrees, and repeat as needed to raise the tongue. Not ideal, but at least I can get in the back of the van.
Actually, I only need about one half inch more clearance, so maybe I can get that with the Ultimate Jack without having to lower it so far that the handle hits the tank. I should have my Ultimate Jack in a week so I will know better then.
I tow with a pick-up truck, and with the original jack I could not let the tail gate down when hooked up to my 16' Scamp. It would hit the painted surface and I didn't want to screw up the paint job. I bought the Ultimate Jack. Now when I am hooked up, a simple pull of the lever and I can lower the jack and have clearance for the tail gate to come down. Gordon, it is not easy to remove the jack, there is a plastic guide set in a recessed grove that would need to be released by unscrewing it. Too much trouble. Yes the crank handle does slightly hit the single propane tank, but you can move it back a little to help clear it.
I took the foot off the original jack and put it on the Ultimate Jack. I also had the file the hole in the trailer A-frame a little to allow the new jack to freely move up and down. It helps if you spray a tad bit of silicon lubricant on it too. Youre going to like it. Just be sure it is up and safety pin is in before driving off.
KVJ
Here are two pictures of the Ultimate Jack in use with my 16' Scamp
First shows trailer hooked up with jack in travel mode:
Next picture shows dropped to allow tailgate to be lowered and not striking the crank.
Takes two seconds to lower.
I hope that answers MCCOWNW question.
KVJ
I have never seen one of those before. Really awesome idea, but they need to make one for a power tongue jack, because I got hooked on those years ago.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Yah, I saw where you talked about the power jack in another thread. They seem a little heavy, this thing is great and installed easy. The crack does hit the tank but a slight lift at that point clears it. I'll try to move the tank a bit this winter. They cost more than the supplied jack but for anyone needing clearance for a tailgate or hatch or just for speed its worth it.
KVJ
"A picture is worth a thousand words"! Now I see... THANKS for the photo!
I second (or third of fourth) the Ultimate Jack recommendation (Model RDJ-2K). I put one on my Scamp last weekend then went on a five day trip.
It allows me to open the tailgate which I could not do before when hitched up. It only takes 5 seconds to lower or raise it.
Because there is an wider outer sleeve, there is very little extra space around the mounting bolts, and therefore the lock washers are a tight fit. I did grind a little off one lock washer to get it in place.
If you lower it to get in the hatch (or tail gate lowered) then you have be be darn sure to remember that it is down, and raise it up, before you drive off with it that way. It would be an easy thing to forget.
The sand foot from the Scamp installed jack also fit the replacement jack fine. I assume the wheel would also fit but I should point out that the Ultimate Jack instructions state:
This product is NOT intended to be used as a transport device for implement to which it is attached. Minimize movement of the implement while jack is under load.
Makes one wonder why they even sell one with the wheel as an option.