Disable multi pro tailgate with a hitch on?

MrGraff · November 12, 2019

19 hours ago, Ryno12 said:

Curious, can you flip the step down & put full weight on the step without the tailgate flexing into the hitch?

I need an 8” drop for my utility trailer to sit level but I can’t find an 8” forged hitch. I’d maybe settle for a 6” if I know I can stand on the step without it hitting the hitch.

Yep no issues at all, and im not a skinny guy by any means.

In2racn · November 12, 2019

On 11/11/2019 at 5:15 PM, Ryno12 said:

Curious, can you flip the step down & put full weight on the step without the tailgate flexing into the hitch?

I need an 8” drop for my utility trailer to sit level but I can’t find an 8” forged hitch. I’d maybe settle for a 6” if I know I can stand on the step without it hitting the hitch.

Per McGraff's suggestion, I got the 4" drop Ultra-tow. With a 2 5/16 ball, you can lower the step without contact. Unlike McGraff's photo, with the 4", the top of the gate is trying to contact the very top of the ball, not the angle of the hitch adapter. In the static position without weight on the step, there is maybe .375 to .5" clearance. When I put my 265 pound carcass on the step, it is VERY VERY close. With my weight on it, I can still pull a towel out if placed between the top of the ball and the gate, but it is too close. If I forgot and "jumped" up onto the step, I think I would flex it enough to hit. I am looking for a lower profile ball. If I can get another .25", I will be safe, even if I jump up on the step.

However, for the errant "oops I dropped the tailgate step with a hitch ball in" mistake, the 4" drop Ultra-tow with a ball WILL NOT cause damage. If you make a second mistake and jump up on the step or should you be over 300 pounds, you could cause some damage.

I am ordering a 6" drop for my 2" trailers and only the Curt/Ultra Tow hitch adapters will be used or even near my 2020 Denali to lessen the chance of a mistake and damage. I am moving all my non-Ultra-tow/Curt hitches to my work truck. The first **** that touches my truck and has the wrong hitch adapter in will die. Come visit me in jail.

Banks · November 13, 2019

Has anyone had a problem with the split gate not opening when the tailgate is down? Have seen this on a truck and also o an AT4 forum. Latches will click but won't release.

Also heard someone say these trucks have 2 batteries, does anyone have info on that? Supposedly one for the gate and accessories, not the battery under the hood on the passenger side.

Thanks, Jim

sdelam · November 13, 2019

2 hours ago, Banks said:

Has anyone had a problem with the split gate not opening when the tailgate is down? Have seen this on a truck and also o an AT4 forum. Latches will click but won't release.

Also heard someone say these trucks have 2 batteries, does anyone have info on that? Supposedly one for the gate and accessories, not the battery under the hood on the passenger side.

Thanks, Jim

My tailgate will not lower if i open the inner gate first, and I have not seen/found anything regarding an additional tailgate specific battery. Unless it is a Chevy powered close thing.

In2racn · November 13, 2019

On 10/24/2019 at 2:43 AM, MrGraff said:

Ive posted a thread on this issue, there is a hitch that you can buy that is 6 inch drop angled and will work with multi pro tailgate. One is Curt, other is Ultratow. I've had it in my truck for around a month now and use my tailgate and tailgate step all the time.

Just an update to your post....While I have yet to receive the 6" drop Ultra tow.... I can tell you that the 6" Curt is NOT a good solution. While it the step-gate does NOT hit with the 6" Curt installed, it is within 1/8" from hitting. Any weight or pressure on the step and there WILL BE contact. The clearance between the Ultra-tow that you show in your pictures is significantly more than the Curt. I am sending back the Curt 6" and ordering the Ultra-tow. I thought for SURE they were the same product re-labeled, but the parts so not appear to be exact.

I do have the 4" Ultra-tow and much like the 6" you show, the clearance is good. However, the issue with the 4" Ultra-tow is that the top of the ball is close to the step-gate. However, I did find a low-profile 2/ 5/16 ball that clears the step with enough clearance that even when I get on it (265 pounds) it does not flex and hit. I hope my 6" Ultra-tow has the clearance as yours does in the photos.

MrGraff · November 13, 2019

Yea I belie

22 hours ago, In2racn said:

Per McGraff's suggestion, I got the 4" drop Ultra-tow. With a 2 5/16 ball, you can lower the step without contact. Unlike McGraff's photo, with the 4", the top of the gate is trying to contact the very top of the ball, not the angle of the hitch adapter. In the static position without weight on the step, there is maybe .375 to .5" clearance. When I put my 265 pound carcass on the step, it is VERY VERY close. With my weight on it, I can still pull a towel out if placed between the top of the ball and the gate, but it is too close. If I forgot and "jumped" up onto the step, I think I would flex it enough to hit. I am looking for a lower profile ball. If I can get another .25", I will be safe, even if I jump up on the step.

However, for the errant "oops I dropped the tailgate step with a hitch ball in" mistake, the 4" drop Ultra-tow with a ball WILL NOT cause damage. If you make a second mistake and jump up on the step or should you be over 300 pounds, you could cause some damage.

I am ordering a 6" drop for my 2" trailers and only the Curt/Ultra Tow hitch adapters will be used or even near my 2020 Denali to lessen the chance of a mistake and damage. I am moving all my non-Ultra-tow/Curt hitches to my work truck. The first **** that touches my truck and has the wrong hitch adapter in will die. Come visit me in jail.

Yes the 4inch will not work with the step out, 6 inch does just fine. I suppose you could easily just cut a small piece of sticky foam tape and slap in on the angled part of the curt/ultratow just in case there was contact. Don't think I ever said anything about 4inch... ive always maintained the 6 inch was the goto for clearance and no worries.

MrGraff · November 13, 2019

7 minutes ago, In2racn said:

Just an update to your post....While I have yet to receive the 6" drop Ultra tow.... I can tell you that the 6" Curt is NOT a good solution. While it the step-gate does NOT hit with the 6" Curt installed, it is within 1/8" from hitting. Any weight or pressure on the step and there WILL BE contact. The clearance between the Ultra-tow that you show in your pictures is significantly more than the Curt. I am sending back the Curt 6" and ordering the Ultra-tow. I thought for SURE they were the same product re-labeled, but the parts so not appear to be exact.

I do have the 4" Ultra-tow and much like the 6" you show, the clearance is good. However, the issue with the 4" Ultra-tow is that the top of the ball is close to the step-gate. However, I did find a low-profile 2/ 5/16 ball that clears the step with enough clearance that even when I get on it (265 pounds) it does not flex and hit. I hope my 6" Ultra-tow has the clearance as yours does in the photos.

I never got to try the Curt one, but was looking for similar built items. The ultratow is sold at Northern Tool, I was able to go to a local store and try them out.

In2racn · November 13, 2019

7 minutes ago, MrGraff said:

Yes the 4inch will not work with the step out, 6 inch does just fine. I suppose you could easily just cut a small piece of sticky foam tape and slap in on the angled part of the curt/ultratow just in case there was contact. Don't think I ever said anything about 4inch... ive always maintained the 6 inch was the goto for clearance and no worries.

I understand you never mentioned the 4"..... BUT... I have the 4" Ultra, it works, it clears but with a tall ball, it is close. I did find a lower profile ball and it clears without touching when I step on it.

The 6" Curt DOES NOT WORK. It clears when you drop the step-gate, but only by a whisker. If any pressure is placed on the step, there will be contact. It is clearly different than the 6" Ultra-tow you show pictures of.

For me, the Ultra-tow mounts are for safety.... not really for step use. I want to use these non-contact hitch connections so that when I screw up and drop the step, I wont damage the tailgate. When I plan on actually stepping and getting into the bed, my plan is to be without a hitch installed.

MrGraff · November 14, 2019

I never "tried" the curt, but the curt is the closest design to the ultratow I could find. There are some reese branded that have the correct angles but they don't go far enough into the truck receiver which negates the angles.

November 14, 2019

Just asking if lost 30 pounds and never let anyone else step on it would that help? Or just remove the hitch when not in use and pull the fuse when in use?

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

In2racn · November 14, 2019

14 hours ago, 48548 said:

Just asking if lost 30 pounds and never let anyone else step on it would that help? Or just remove the hitch when not in use and pull the fuse when in use?

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

I get it... always pull the hitch.. However, pulling the fuse is a pain in the ass.

Banks · November 14, 2019

A little background on our Tailgatefix that should hopefully be available by next week if not before. Our product is designed to override the switch and lock out the inner tailgate from being lowered if you have a hitch in the receiver. It’s designed to keep the inner gate from accidentally being lowered while there is something in the receiver. If you are looking for a product that lets you use the inner gate and step the only item I know of is a hitch that will drop down 6” or lower. That will only work on lifted trucks, it will not work on a standard truck as the hitch would drag the ground .

bharris515 · November 19, 2019

https://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/product/multipro-tow-stow

Just ordered mine

In2racn · November 20, 2019

I have my B+W Multi-pro Tow and Stow installed. I have not towed with it yet. I have a light enclosed trailer tow this weekend.

The unit is seems to be very good. Now that I have it, I appreciate its value. I didn't realized it when I ordered the hitch, but it is well worth the money for my towing needs. I am constantly towing different trailers, different drops, ball sizes. Before this tow and stow, I had a bucket of hitches with different ball sizes and drops in the bed of the truck. Now, my adjustable tow and stow stays mounted for good. With the adjustable height tri-ball, I have most every towing requirement covered with a few pin pulls.

Regarding tailgate contact -

I am 265 pounds, it does not touch the ball nor the hitch when I aggressively get on the lowered step-gate. I tend to adjust the the hitch ball fairly low, say a 4 or 5 inch drop. At that height, the step-gate clears with the ball in position to tow. However, the step-gate will hit the ball if you have the hitch ball positioned with very little drop.

Now I need to find or make a tough hitch lock that will keep it from walking away. Watching YouTube videos of guys breaking hitch locks in less than 10 seconds is concerning.

sdelam · November 20, 2019

7 minutes ago, In2racn said:

I have my B+W Multi-pro Tow and Stow installed. I have not towed with it yet. I have a light enclosed trailer tow this weekend.

The unit is seems to be very good. Now that I have it, I appreciate its value. I didn't realized it when I ordered the hitch, but it is well worth the money for my towing needs. I am constantly towing different trailers, different drops, ball sizes. Before this tow and stow, I had a bucket of hitches with different ball sizes and drops in the bed of the truck. Now, my adjustable tow and stow stays mounted for good. With the adjustable height tri-ball, I have most every towing requirement covered with a few pin pulls.

Regarding tailgate contact -

I am 265 pounds, it does not touch the ball nor the hitch when I aggressively get on the lowered step-gate. I tend to adjust the the hitch ball fairly low, say a 4 or 5 inch drop. At that height, the step-gate clears with the ball in position to tow. However, the step-gate will hit the ball if you have the hitch ball positioned with very little drop.

Now I need to find or make a tough hitch lock that will keep it from walking away. Watching YouTube videos of guys breaking hitch locks in less than 10 seconds is concerning.

Can you take a measurement from center of receiver pin to center of ball when you get a chance. Also, is there a tow rating stamped on it? the website is low on details.