Trailer hitching assistance problem

[towpro]

The WD hitch receiver I have been using for years on every other truck I have owned was too low on the new F150 for our new small Jayco Jay flight (26" ball height) I was about 2" short. And since I could not open my tailgate (even after turning the jack motor) I figured I would buy a new WD shank that moved the ball back 1" as well
now I have this problem:
When I use Hitching Assistant it stops and tells me something in in the way.

The manual shows the following (which I think is the problem).
is there a HACK to fix this? I mean after 50 year I know how to backup to a trailer, but that hitching assistance was nice and never missed


TRAILER HITCHING
ASSISTANCE LIMITATIONS
The system could not function or could
function with reduced performance during
the following:
(cut out some data)
• When using hitches that raise the hitch
ball more than 4 in (10 cm), lower the
hitch ball by more than 6 in (16 cm) or
extend the hitch ball away from the
vehicle more than 12 in (30 cm).

Sponsored

 

[bell86103]

Can you post photos of the setup and what happens? Are your rear ultrasonics turned on?

 

[towpro]

Picture one of these below, sticking out of the rear hitch, but the ball height is 26" high. My shank is pointing up and not down so I am in the UP offset, and the ball is sticking up hither than the top of the the shank. Plus its sticks out long enough from the receiver so I can open my tailgate. When I open my tailgate the plastic trim around the tailgate handle just hits the trailer hitch. if I was to throw something on tailgate or jump up on it I bet it would leave a mark.

Anyway its definitely not working because the ball is 4" higher than normal. hell at 26" height , my ball is 8" higher than normal. My pontoon boat has a tall trailer and I still have a drop hitch to tow it.

What the hell was Jayco thinking putting a Ball height at 26" on a 6500 lb GVWR trailer. I guess way to many people with jacked up truck decided to buy them? But look at the bight side, its not a LCI frame

 

[towpro]

it worked with my old hitch shank, but that one was still too low. So this new one is high enough plus 1 or 2" longer. I think they come in (from pin hole to center hole of head mount bolts) 8", 10" 12" and 14". I moved from 10" to 12" I think.

 

[towpro]

update. I replaced my old Reese head / chain bar system with a new Curt 4P sway system. We installed it at the same level as the old ball and the hookup assistant worked. but because the shank was shorter and there is no way my tailgate will open flat, we figured lets raise it 1.25" to level out the camper, now the backup assistant warns about something being in the way and it puts the truck into park for me . so this is a length or height limit thing from Ford.

 

[Henfield]

Lets see the new set up!

 

[towpro]

its in the front cabinet of the RV back at the dealers. The slide topper cover came unattached from the body driving home .

Sponsored