5th Wheel Tailgates - What are you using?

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I'm shopping around for a 5th wheel tailgate & am wondering what you are using. I had one, that came with the truck, that latched poorly & ended up falling off. #ad
I see that Camping World has one that has a center latching mechanism. I don't know if it's a gimmic or not. Are you happy with yours & what brand do you have? Also, do you have a brand that you would not recommend?

Thanks

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Money Sink - 96, 5 speed, SLT, 4X4, LWB, Ext Cab, ISSPRO pillar, TST 280/685 & AFC housing against the stops, Delvac 1 & Amsiol, Injectors, K&N, Monicas silencer ring removed, Exhaust brake, 4" CAT back & CATless, 4" chrome turn down straight out back, Mag-Hytec, 3:54, 235s, HX35s days are numbered, HX40 here.

 

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I won't be of help but I am interested as well. I saw the same louvered gate with center release and I liked it and put it on the list of "To Do" when dollars free.

I don't have a 5th wheel but the low center and louvers will help my 5 foot nothing wife see the hitch when backing onto her horse trailer . . . make me less angry when she dents this rather than the original gate . . . and if I am lucky help my MPG a bit.
67

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2000 Ram 2500 QC 4x4 SLT with Cummins and 5 spd transmisssion.
Stock so far but considering bedliner and louvered gate... then?

 

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Forrest,
I have the previous model of the one you saw in Camping World. Mine doesn't have the center latch. I like it fine and no problems. The "V" gives plenty of room to back under the hitch. I bought the gate originally for my '97 and just moved it over to the '00 when I traded trucks. I have a dually and mounted the 3 identification light cluster off my factory tailgate on the 5th wheel gate. Works perfect. The first thing I do when I get a new truck is take off the factory tailgate and put in the garage where it stays until I trade of sell the truck. I've messed up a new tailgate before--been there--it ain't pretty!!!($$$)

Bill

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Y2K 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, V-A CPC, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, ECM Controlled PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, Mag-Hytec Diff. Cover, 80% Towing Hitchhiker II 31', 2 slideouts, 19,750 GCW

 

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I have the Camping World Black gate without the center release(has a ring on each side to release) A friend of mine had the center release and the cables broke on it before it was a year old. I like the black with the white truck. I also put a clamp on the hinge that releases the gate to slow down any one who might want to borrow the gate.

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White 99 3500, QC, 3:55, auto. most options except leather, Line-X bed liner, fiberglass running boards Rancho 9000s, bug shield and window vents, black vented 5th wheel tailgate, 100 gal. aux. fuel tank.

 

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Bill,
How did yours latch? Did you have the 2 pull-rings? Mine didn't latch very well. They always seemed flaky.

My lower mounts didn't 'slip' over the lower body mounts very well. The plastic 'covers' that are used on the stock tailgate couldn't be used with the 5th wheel tailgate & I had to modify one side to fit. You couldn't open & close it easily before I changed it.

With all of the goodies the original owner put on the truck, I don't think he got a gate that wasn't made for the truck. Just a cheepie. He even had it painted white. #ad


jmfVet,
I don't think they help mileage any, but for visibility, you win. Bill does just what another Rammer, Del, does, put the stock one in the box in the garage. No expensive dings.

I don't know if anyone noticed the Aluminum Tailgate @ Camping World? Around $400. I wonder if its too much shiny. I've got the diamond plate toolbox & bed caps, which may help, but it may make it too much! Anyway, you'd have to lock it. #ad

 

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Forrest,

Mine is just like B G Smith's--pull rings at each side. I have shimmed under the brackets that fit at the bottom with a piece of rubber from an old inner tube so it fits better. I have tinkered with it now by making "adjustments" to where I can "slam" it shut like a factory tailgate. It fits very tight at the latches and doesn't rattle or squeak. Since my truck is white and so was my '97(it gets hot in Texas), I have left the gate black and it looks OK. I have an aluminum tread plate tool box and an aluminum tread plate auxiliary fuel tank so I have aluminum tread plate on the top of the tailgate too. I've had the tailgate since I bought my '97 in Nov. 96, so I've had plenty of time to fiddle with it. #ad


Bill

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Y2K 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, V-A CPC, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, ECM Controlled PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, Mag-Hytec Diff. Cover, 80% Towing Hitchhiker II 31', 2 slideouts, 19,750 GCW

 

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Forrest, I have the tailgate WITH the center release handle from Camping World. I would rate it as "just OK". The release is not real smooth and I don't like the way the cables drag accross the edges on the back of release area. When installed, you cannot just lift it out, like the factory tail gate... this is both a plus and a minus. During the install, the first bolt I torqued per the specs broke off!

I had basically the same tailgate, but with the individual releases, on my previous truck and rate that one as "great"!


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'01 2500 QC SLT (white/mist gray), 4x2, SWB, Cummins, Auto, 3. 54 LSD, Tow Package, 4wABS, Luverne SS Side Entry Steps, Truck Trunk, Reese 18K Classic, Tekonsha EnvoySV, Pioneer DEH-P47DH, Kenwood TM-733A. 24' SunnyBrook 5er with solar. Ram Ham: N0MEU

 

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I just put one of these center release Camping World tailgates on my truck. They sent a bunch of extra hinges with it, unfortunately only one fits the left side properly.
For the right side, I cut a slot in the bottom, similar to the stock tailgate. I also raised the mounting holes so I didn't have to add a much needed spacer. Now I can put it on and off easily.
I always wonder why these ********s can't make a product right! I had to screw around for a couple hours to do what should have been done on the assembly line.
I like it now... ... ...
I was told you got to have one of these tailgates to push the air down so it doesn't get trapped under the bedroom and cause what feels like the engine surging in certain windy conditions. With my fear of lift pump failure, I figured it was a gottahaveit. I did notice just taking the tailgate off helped, but I haven't pulled the fifth wheel with it yet.

 

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I really appreciate these great posts.

Ron - How did you raise the mounting holes? Sounds like you re-drilled the tailgate? What do you think about the cabling. Are their stress points on yours? I wonder if they have fixed the problems with the cables on yours, as yours is probably newer. I really don't want to grease cables to keep the friction down & keep them from breaking. #ad


Boy are you right about the ********s. I can't believe that our trucks are made differently from year to year in the friggin tailgate area. #ad
It wouldn't surprise me though. I bought one for a 72 Ford one time & it wasn't even close.

I know I'm asking too much, but I want to take the mo-fo out of the box, install it & have it work without having to jerk around with it.

 

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Forrest,
Pull your tail gate and you will see a nice ROUND TRUCK MOUNTED hinge swivel dingahoo on the left side. On the right you will see a sectioned, smaller diameter swivel dinghyhoo. The goodys they give you to bolt up to the taigate and match up to these swivels dinghys, kinda suck. The left one is fine. The right one is large. Actually it's the same size as the factory one (which kinda also sucks) but the cool adjustable holes supplied with the new gate don't allow for a proper (lousy) fit.
If you follow me so far you're doing good.
What I did was take a round file and extend the adjustable gaps on the bolt up (to the tailgate) hinge doohicky. Then I hacksawed and broke off the bottom of the new hinge doohicky and ground it down as far as possible without breaking the weld. This made it very close to the factory tailgate. It now comes off and on easily. I load lots of stuff in my bed when towing the fiver and the new tailgate can't except the ramps for my portable generator and other stuff. Also I like to have the original tailgate on when not towing... ... ... .
I hope this is clearer than mud, if not give me an e-mail.
This is no fun thing to spend our money on, so I don't blame you for asking questions!
Ron

 

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I am using a handy ind. vented tailgate with the handle in the middle and I had it painted the same color as my truck.

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2000 DODGE SLT,ULTRA-RUNNING BOARDS, AMERICAN TOOL BOX/FUEL TANK,AND REESE 20K HITCH,GTS BUG SHIELD,RHINO LINING . MEDIUM SIERRA BRONZE, QUAD 2500 LONG BED. 4:10 POSI-TRACTION REAR END W/AUTOMATIC. STAN'S 4" EXHAUST SYSTEM TURBO BACK, AND VOYAGER BRAKE CONTROLLER,PIRO/BOOST/AND TRANY GUAGES. ULTRA-BOARD MUD FLAPS. HEAVY DUTY TOWING AND ALL ACCESS. A POSI-TRACTION 4:10 REAR END. K&N AIR FILTER. MOPAR DEEP ALUNIUM TRANY PAN. KLEEN WHEELS, DD STAG 1 INJECTORS. CUSTOM BURLWOOD DASH KIT AND WINDOW SWITCH COVERS. 29' ALPENLITE 5TH WHEEL W/SLIDEOUT. 5" GENO'S CHROME EXHAUST TIP. STULL ALUMINIUM BILLET GRILLE. STAINLESS WHEEL OPENING TRIMS. POWER VENTED TRANY COOLER. Hellwig 3500 progressive overload springs.

 

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Forrest - I have the center latch 5th wheel tailgate from Camping World that you mentioned. I guess I am either dumb, lucky, or both. Mine bolted on with no modifications. The whole install took all of 30 minutes. It shouldn't have taken that long but the instruction sheet was missing in mine. It latches very well. I adjusted mine so that the latch is extremely tight, so it doesn't rattle. When I close it I just push in each top corner until it latches into place (instead of slamming it shut). Fits perfect and works great. I like the fact that the hinges are not slotted (which allows someone to walk off with it in 30 seconds or less).

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99 2500 QC 4X4 5sp / made in Mexico /
3. 54LSD 285 75X16 AR Atlas / Hadley airhorns / DDIII - 4in exhaust, turbo back - HD clutch / ISSPRO guages / 33' Hitchhiker triple slide (can you say HEAVY)

[This message has been edited by Rick G (edited 07-19-2000). ]

 

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Forrest,

Check out the latest Camping World sales flyer dated July 20(sale prices good thru 8-15). On page 30, upper left hand corner, there is a louvered tailgate just like mine. I thought they discontinued these and only offered the one with the center latch. Oh well, shows how much I know. #ad


Bill

 

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forrest, i have a stromburg carlson "v" gate
with the pull rings on both side's and have had no problems with it at all.
you can checkout my "v" gate at our local chapter www.gltdr.org and click on members rigs my is the one with the cummins mud flaps
vince harris
p. s. i bought the v gate at camping world

99 2500HD,24v isb,4x4,5spd, slt, towing and camper package,lwb,4:10 lsd,autometer boost and pyro gauges,pullrite 5th wheel 20,500gvw hitch,stromburg carlson "v" gate,white/driftwood,BD engine brake,ultra
trail eze II wind deflector.

99 35 ft. dutchman 5thwheel w/slideout,11,656gvw

member GLTDR,TDR

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Guys,
I bought one from JC Whitney's and it's great. It has a straight aluminum bar across the bottom and an aluminum bar across the top that has a dip in it for the king pin. Between the two bars is some heavy duty webbing. Heck, it even has "Turbo Net" stenciled on the webbing. You have to drill two holes on each side and then each bar has a telescoping portion to make it fit anything. I really recommend it - especially if you're looking for the kind with webbing.

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Craig
2000 2500 QC, SLT, SB, 4X4, 5 spd, 410, Geno's combo boost and EGT on A pillar, Rhino lined, Patriot Blue life support system for my 5+ ton fifth wheel

 

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You're sure right about that Ron. These don't come cheap. One of the many great things about this forum is us nutsoids will tell one another to stay away from the bad stuff out there.

Let's see, spend a few bills on the Dodge cool 5'er tailgate with matching paint, save it for a nice something for the wife, truck, wife ... truck wins. #ad


Looks like a trip over the hill to Rocklin, near Sacramento, is in order this weekend. I'll ck the mount up brackets on the bottom. Last time I had to use the cut off saw & file, sound familiar, just to get it to pivot. #ad
I'll fit that dougan there, so the return won't be of issue. #ad

 

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Louvered v-notch tailgate reclaimed from my 1997 Chevy Z71. Bought at McGaugh RV Center - a Stromburg Carlson reseller.

See pics @Tailgate

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"Red Rage" - 2001 2500 SLT 4x4 QC Lowered Rear End 2. 5" 5spd, 4. 10 K&N Stock Replacement - 9,000 miles and counting! 30' 5th Wheel