5th wheel tail gate

[SCox]

I know these are bumb questions, but this all new to me. Picking up my first 5th wheel saturday. Do I need the 5th wheel tail gate?? Do I just lower the gate to hook up then put it back up?? How much and what type of grease do I need on the hitch lock assembly? Its a 36ft K-Z toy hauler weighs little over 13k empty. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!



ps 5th wheel hitch install went great sunday, thanks for the tips!



Thanks

Steve

 

[Bob Stephens]

I've been fifth wheeling for 6 years and have never had a fifth wheel tailgate. This situation does require you to keep track of what you are doing. I can hitch up with the tailgate down as long as I am backing straight into the trailer. If I have to back into the hitch from an angle, I have to watch the clearance of the tailgate. I don't like the fifth wheel tailgates when I am not pulling the trailer so I live without it. You need to think about why you would want one or not want one.

 

[klenger]

I just use the stock tailgate and put it down and up. No problems in two years. I would be a bit concerned about a false sense of security with a 5er tailgate as I understand you can still hit them in some situations. You can also just take the tailgate off when you are towing.

 

[zari]

I put a louvered tailgate on mine. Used the stock one in the beginning and got tired of having to think about it, and pay attention when at an angle... No problems, but the fact that DOT requires the "three reds" on the gate - have yet to figure out a good way to mount the one I took off my standard gate.



Alain.

 

[Dkevdog]

I had one and got rid of it, it was worthless in most hitching situations, because the "V" opening wasn't large enough to clear my pin box. It was fin in a straight back situation but not at any angle. My other complaint of V gates is they are generally not very strong as a tailgate. If you place any weight on them in a down position, they will fold. I Have a damaged stock talgate I plan to convert by cutting it down into a V gate... ... . Should be an intersting project.



Kev

 

[B.G. Smith]

Tailgate

Some trailers/trucks have different clearences. I towed 5th wheel for a while with the standard gate, had to lower gate, back up enough to close it (mine would strike front of trailer down) then back up some more and engage hitch. I also ran without the gate some too, found out quick you cant put anything in bed when pulling 5th wheel, the air coming down off the trailer will clear it out. Figured it was just a matter of time till I backed the gate into trailer so got a 5th wheel gate, I hung it with the kingpin one night while unhooking with the truck going up hill, I was going very slow and didn't do much damage. Of the three options, I like the 5th wheel gate best, I think a stock tailgate is in the $1500. 00 range. bg

 

[klenger]

I Have a damaged stock talgate I plan to convert by cutting it down into a V gate... ... . Should be an intersting project.

I saw one like that on a truck here in Tucson. It went by too fast to get a good look at it, but they moved the latch handle to the left side of the tailgate. I thought it looked real nice.

 

[Forrest]

I like the idea of a 5'er gate just for the non wear & tear on the tailgate. Got one from Camping world, latch in the middle. It was a metal frame & latch, the rest was plastic ... real light ...



One reminder, when you get one, get a hose clamp & clamp around the lower pin, that the gate fits into. It acts as a lock. I procrastinated ... ripped off. :{

 

[tschwab]

I just put one on my truck, really like it, but it is not necessary, just remember to lower your tail gait once you unhook so you don't destroy it pulling out..... happened to my uncle a while back after he had towed across the entire US without an incident.



I don't know if there are any stats on better MPG with a 5vr tailgate, but my dads truck is set up just like mine, 5vr's weigh the same and he has the 5vr tailgate and consistently gets 1 to 1. 5 MPG better fuel economy than I did without a 5vr tailgate on the same trip(s).

 

[CPritchett]

I did not have enough clearance with my factory tail gate down to feel safe backing up to my 5th wheel. I bought a flow-through louvred 5th wheel tailgate and I love it. It is so much easier to hook up and unhook the 5th wheel. I paid $260 for it at a local truck accessory shop and that was almost $100 less than I found it on the web. I also used the hose clamp for a little more protection.

 

[Ron Bissett]

If you are careful and not like me , you will not punch a hole in the front battery compartment with the corner of the tail gate in down position after almost fifty years of towing pull and fifth wheel . Seems like the gate will get you sooner or later. I made my gate out of angle iron (scrap bed rails) from thrift store ,five dollars a set ,took two sets and some salvage angle from scrap yard . Gate works like regular gate but most time ,I just leave it up as the notch is plenty wide. I mounted three marker double ,bulb lights . connector from Wal - Mart . Gate locks on side with padlock on right side decided not to add lock left side both sides have locking pull lock type pull to unlock , had cable on gate but removed as they were a pain , I just lower the gate on to the step bumper Or remove it just like the regular gate I just copied the original gate set up ,works fine Lights are retest in middle of gate flat side to out except at lights . I did not box the angle as it would require to much steel and be to heavy just put the open side of the L to inside the bed Cost about Twenty dollars and some wire welding and paint ,thought about having it power coated but couldn't part with the money. So I respray ever so often. Ron Bissett in Metro Louisville KY Entry level almost fifty years. Oo.

 

[catoiler]

I got a 5th wheel gate for sale if anybody wants it $50. 00





Mike

 

[Casey Balvert]

Originally posted by zari

I put a louvered tailgate on mine. Used the stock one in the beginning and got tired of having to think about it, and pay attention when at an angle... No problems, but the fact that DOT requires the "three reds" on the gate - have yet to figure out a good way to mount the one I took off my standard gate.



Alain.

Alain, how is this?



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The tailgate is made by Handy (about $250. 00) and I made a mounting bracket for the clearance light. I definitely like the fiver tailgate. The Handy is very solid and made of steel. Also get the memory level from Camping World for 8 bucks. When you go to unhook set the little slide over the bubble, unhitch and level the trailer. When you go to hook up again. Just extend or retract the landing gear to center the bubble on the slide and hook up. No guessing how high the pin should be and you won't clip the tailgate with the pin either.



Casey