Leaving the tailgate off?

[JSoloman]

Does anyone have any long term experience with running without the tailgate. I'm getting mixed information on it causing the side of the bed to flail out. I would prefer to leave the gate off, at least 6 months out of the year, since I am pulling my 5th wheel alot. Help.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I have never heard anything "Bad" about having your tailgate off. I would find it hard to believe that not having it on would cause structural or body panel damage. The only thing i have ever heard in regards to having the tailgate off is contrary to popular belief, you will NOT get better gas mileage with it off.

 

[roycrown]

Have been running with tailgate off for several years, mostly just for "the look". My first job was for an RV dealer, and at that time (the 60's) many people, after buying a slide in camper would remove the tailgate and it would often never go back on for the life of the vehicle. My Dad had his off for 16 years, till the truck was basically junk, sold the truck for $50, the tailgate for $100. To this day when I see a truck with the tailgate off, I think it is probably a "camper truck". Yes, I have a slide in camper, which only rarely gets used (long story), but I like having the tailgate off for that "look".

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by JSoloman

... I'm getting mixed information on it causing the side of the bed to flail out. ...

No experience, but I should think the gate adds structural strength to the bed sides. Granted, it might take many miles, but the metal could eventually fail due to fatigue. However, with the 5th wheel trailer on, the back end of the truck probably has much less jouncing, and fatigue may be much less of a problem.



Personally, I would leave the gate on as much as possible. Or, instead, I might design a bar across the latch knobs and use straps crossed to the opposite tie-downs to keep the sides solid.



Fest3er

 

[Prostock]

roycrown,



Just an FYI... it's illegal to run without a tailgate in PA.



Most police don't bother pulling you over, but I know of at least one that has pulled someone over.



They truck had just passed inspection, and the inspector ended up losing his license for 3 months.



Hey, you wouldn't happen to own a blue 70 Plymouth?

 

[JSoloman]

Thanks for the advise guys. For now, I throw the gate on whenever I'm not towing the trailer. As for being illegal, I don't suspect it's all that important here out west.

 

[roycrown]

Prostock, you are close, a blue '71 Plymouth.