5th Wheel Tailgates - What are you using?

[Forrest]

I'm gonna have to take the plunge & get one before the season starts. Wondering what your thoughts are. Camping World has a nice selection. Anything you prefer that fits well? Anything to stay away from? Thanks.

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Money Sink - 96, 5 speed, TST 380, HX40-16, 300 HP Injectors, Scourge BD 4200rpm Governor kit, McLeod, 4", CATless, straight out back, chrome turn down, ISSPRO Pillar, Delvac 1 & Amsiol, K&N, Mag-Hytec, 3:54, Michelin 235s on Alcoas, Rancho 9000's, Valentine One.
Dutchmen 27' 5th Wheel.
GoldWing.

 

[Rambling]

Forrest,

Can't comment on which one is best... didn't put one on. Just thought I'd put in my ½¢ worth (don't have enough to make up the other cent and a half #ad
)

We've had our 5'r going on two years. In our case we don't tow often (long?) enough to change the tail gate out. Since most of the miles are sans trailer and DC says we'll get better milage with the factory gate in the up position, I've just left it on.

Guess if/when it becomes "designed by crunch" #ad
I'll have to consider what to put in its place.

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<font color=#990000>~<font color=#990000> '99 2500 SLT <font color=#990000> ~ QC ~ 4X4 ~ LB ~ Auto ~ 4:10 LSD ~
<font color=#000000>*<font color=#990000> BD E-brake<font color=#000000> *<font color=#990000> BD Autolock<font color=#00000> *<font color=#990000> Gear Vendor OD<font color=#000000> *<font color=#990000> Jordan Research 2020 T-brake <font color=#000000> *<font color=#990000> Bullhide spray-in Line <font color=#000000>*
<font color=#000000>*<font color=#990000> 2k Komfort 5'er - 9,700 lbs <font color=#000000> *
<font size=-2>... Lookin' for the 'RE' to go in front of my 'TIRED' so's I got more time to Play!... <font size=-1>

[This message has been edited by Rattlin (edited 02-10-2001). ]

 

[abledog]

No tailgate but I do have a BetterBuilt V-Box in the rear.

 

[illflem]

Use the stock tailgate,best mpg when you're not towing.

 

[One Old Dog]

I put a 5th wheel gate on my 3500 and it looks great. The one that I got was like the one in Camping World and it look like the custom flow louvered tailgate but it has wider louvers and looks great on the 3500. I pull alot so I leave mine on. Get one you like it.

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Dirt Water Fox

 

[Runaway]

I have one that is listed in Camping World, made by Bell Industries I believe. Has the center tailgate handle. Quality of this gate is questionable. Advantage when on is if someone wants to "borrow if from you permanent like," they have to have wrenches and such to get it off. Louvers are flimsey and bend easily. I had a different make on a Ford truck that was much stouter. As far as fuel mileage, I saw about a . 5 mpg increase with the louvered tailgate.

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99 QC/LB,ISB w/auto,4x4, 3. 54, VDO (boost, pyro) Westin SS Nerf Bars and Grille Guard, Delta tool box, CP Industries pivoting 5th wheel, K&N, BD/VB,and Exhaust Brake(disabled). 54405 miles (1/12/01)
Ordered "01" ETH/DEE 12/11/00 Due date:2/10/01
00 28' Jayco 5th Wheel, 86 "Classic 16" Alumacraft, 00 Honda Rancher

 

[Bill Stockard]

On the last 4 trucks I have had, since they all have to tow 5th wheels or carry a slide-in camper, on the first day of ownership, the tailgate goes in the corner of the shop and stays there until I trade trucks. On the
Ford, I had a real nice tailgate from Glenn's Welding in Oregon(they no longer make tailgates) I now use a flow-thru from Camping World. The flow-thru doesn't help the mileage that I can tell; however, they are handy for putting things in the bed(lower section in gate), make a handy place to tie objects in the truck bed(like propane bottles, 10' lengths of pipe & conduit), and light weight objects don't blow out as bad as with the factory tailgate(less air swirl). Also the Camping World tailgate is much cheaper to replace if someone "borrows" it.

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Y2K 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, ECM Controlled PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, Mag-Hytec Diff. Cover, Rancho 9000, Air Lift 5000 Air Bags, TOYS: '97 Hitchhiker II 31' 5th Wheel, 2 slideouts, 19,750 GCW, '94 Lance 990 11' 3" Slide-In Camper, Torque-Lift Camper Tiedowns

 

[Forrest]

Rattlin - I hear you, but I don't want a random case of cerebral gas remodling my stock tailgate. #ad
Well, maybe not random, but somewhat more regular as the years add up. I take off the stock tailgate before I leave & sit it on the saw horses. I'll just leave it off for weeks at a time. Kind of a pain.

Joe - I think I saw that one in there, I think. It's only got 2 or 3 louvers, I think. I'll ck it out next time I go to Rocklin, Ca, thanks.

Runaway & Bill - I worry about someone 'borrowing' the new tailgate, especially after I spend more money having it sprayed with the spray in bed liner stuff. I'd have to add a lockable 'something' to it. Someone said that the one with the center latch may eat cables because the cable guides aren't lined up along with the line of the cable tension. Good comments, thanks.

 

[anthony4]

My 2cents worth is, I pull a 35ft 5'er I just keep my tailgate on, just be careful hooking up & on-hooking. when hooking up with the tailgate down you should have enough clearance room from the tailgate to the trailer when backing up to hook up.

2001 2500HD Quad Cab SLT LWB, 4x4, Cummins, 3. 54 gears,
Deep Garnet Red, Agate, 4w ABS, tinted windows,
Camper and Trailer tow packages with trailer towing mirrors,
HD transfer case, snow plow prep, cab lights, travel conv group,
mopar nurf bars, Downey SST cover, Bed liner with fifth wheel hitch
Power driver seat with power lumbar,
loaded loaded loaded!!!!!!!

 

[Bill Stockard]

Forrest,

You are right--sooner or later, if you leave the factory tailgate in long enough, you will "get it". I know--been there-done that. The bow in the tailgate isn't as bad($$ will fix that) as what you do to the back corners of the pickup bed. #ad


I've been towing travel trailers, 5th wheels and carrying slide in campers since 1970 and if it has been torn up or screwed up, I've done it. #ad


Since my truck is white, the black power coat 5th wheel tailgate doesn't look too bad and who would want to steal a plain ol' black, skinned up, dented gate!! #ad


Bill

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

WELL, guess I'm a cheapskate, but here's what *I* use:

#ad



It's a piece of pine shelving - 1X12 - resembling knotty pine. I sanded it, then ran a propane torch across it evenly to enhance the grain, then applied spar varnish to it - I've done the same with boards the cover the top of my tool/fuel box in the bed. THEN, I applied some "Roadrunner/Wiley Coyote" decals on the outside of the board. It looks neat, gets lots of comments. and is JUST the right height to allow the fiver pin to clear when I connect/disconnect the rig, It's held in place with ordinary C-clamps. Cost a total of about $20... Like I said, I'm cheap... #ad


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http://community. webshots.com/user/davison71 Early '91 250, 727 AT, 307 rear... Banks Stinger exhaust, intercooler... US Gear OD... MORE than a match for every new PS Ford encountered so far...