Tailgate (Or Not)

[bobsals]

Greetings, I was over to a friends house the other day and as he was hooking up to his fifth wheel, I noticed that he had his tailgate on. I asked him about it and he said he always leaves it on. When I told him I take mine off and leave it in the garage, he looked at me like I had two heads. To me, the tailgate is a pain so leaving it in the garage works best for us. The space from the hitch to the bumper is empty and can not think of anything I would put there that could not be stored either in front of the hitch secured, or in a compartment in the unit. Two years ago while enjoying a nice quiet time at the campground, our neighbor was unhitching. I heard a very loud crash , he had forgotten to lower his tailgate and put a big "V" in it and distorted his fenders too. Bad day at the campground. Just wanted to see what others here do with this issue.

[bncinwv]

I have a sticker on the rearview mirror that says "CHECK TAILGATE". First habit on getting in a vehicle is looking through the rearview, so I have an instant reminder to double-check. Not recommending this approach, but it works for me.
Bingo

[Art-n-Marge]

I leave mine on. I did put a very small divet in mine when I forgot about the pin but there isn't much damage cuz I was fortunate to stop in time as I remembered.

Since I have a bed cover, it makes more sense to leave it on when I'm not towing and driving around. It completes keeping the things I do keep in the bed secure and safe from the elements since it is not only a lockable tailgate, it operates with my power locks.

I am experienced enough to not have any more pin accidents and prefer to keep it attached. It is also required when I use my bed extender. The ONLY time I remove it is when putting a heavy load into the truck bed and it's better to put the load directly into the truck bed and not via the tailgate. Then I usually put the tailgate back in place. The only time I stored the tailgate is when I took load of trash-like crap to the dump and it was easier do dump the contents with the tailgate not in the way.

Do what you prefer and works for you depending on your need. Some remove it altogether, or use a V gate or use a netting. Whatever you prefer. I don't believe there's a wrong way. Besides I have a truck bed step that mounts to my tailgate that I use a lot. I'm not that short and not that old, but the tailgated mounted steps sure make it easy and helps save my energy.

[mlh]

I worry about stuff blowing out of my truck even with the tailgate on. I was coming up fancy cap on I77 at the Virginia North Carolina border and had a 6 foot long 2X10 blow out of my truck. And this is with the tailgate on. Scared the day lights out of me. Somebody could have been killed. I don't think it is safe.
Lynwood

[richfaa]

We have a V tailgate.The OEM Ford Tailgate is out in the barn.

[kdeiss]

Would not be with out our tailgate once we unhitch we roll out our bed cover with out the tail gate rain dirt etc, We use the bed for storage

[mhs4771]

Tail gate on, once unhooked Toneau Cover in place. Have to have a place to put the things we buy at CW or Wally World, as the back seat area is taken up with the Cats cage.

[LonnieB]

Mine stays on. The tailgate is part of the support for the sides of the bed. I have seen trucks with broken welds and loose sides because the tailgate was missing.

[drknapp]

We have left ours on also. I can see it in the mirror if I leave it up. If I didn't have it I would probably put one of the V gates on also.

[CamillaMichael]

Leave ours on....

[Ozz]

I think trucks are ugly with them off, I leave mine on.
Besides, the funny Geeks on Myth busters proved that there is '0' difference in gas mileage with the gate on, versus down...

[CORattler]

+1 - I do the same.

quote:Originally posted by kdeiss

Would not be with out our tailgate once we unhitch we roll out our bed cover with out the tail gate rain dirt etc, We use the bed for storage

[HOOK]

Leave ours on.

[Carl n Susan]

We have the stock tailgate and a Tonneau cover. Wouldn't be without either.

[Hooker]

quote:Originally posted by kdeiss

Would not be with out our tailgate once we unhitch we roll out our bed cover with out the tail gate rain dirt etc, We use the bed for storage

That's what we did. This way the hitch is hidden while unhooked from the RV.k

[bigmurf]

Off since 2004. Got most of the bed full of aluminum boxes.

[indy roadrunner]

Mine stays on. When unhooking I am watching center rear view mirror. I do not want to see the tailgate in that picture.

[bobsals]

VERY Interesting! I viewed the tailgate as an unnecessary obstacle that could easily be eliminated. However, most here see value in leaving it on. Thanks for the replies.

[farmboy]

I leave mine on. I gotta close it to plug in the cord. I never know what I may need to haul when a 1k miles from home, plus it is there when I get home and ready for use. No unnecessary removing/installing that heavy thing for me. JMO

[stiles watson]

Would not take mine off. I enjoy the benefit of the rear camera which is mounted in the latch mechanism of the tailgate. It doesn't work with the tailgate down, but is great for backing that monster into parking places or seeing the little ones dart behind you.