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06-22-2011, 09:45 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: West Sand Lake
Posts: 267
M.O.C. #10232
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Tailgate (Or Not)
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.
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06-22-2011, 09:53 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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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
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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06-22-2011, 09:58 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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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.
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06-22-2011, 10:24 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,547
M.O.C. #2283
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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
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06-22-2011, 11:05 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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We have a V tailgate.The OEM Ford Tailgate is out in the barn.
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06-22-2011, 11:15 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
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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
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06-22-2011, 11:43 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,657
M.O.C. #9969
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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.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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06-22-2011, 11:44 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Texico
Posts: 1,917
M.O.C. #6150
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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.
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06-22-2011, 11:50 AM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Redlands
Posts: 460
M.O.C. #9135
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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.
__________________
2011 3150RL
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06-22-2011, 11:57 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 2,783
M.O.C. #10246
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Leave ours on....
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06-22-2011, 12:15 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
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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...
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06-22-2011, 12:39 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3,335
M.O.C. #10496
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+1 - I do the same.
Quote:
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
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__________________
2010 3150RL
LevelUp, Dual 6 volt batteries, Progressive Industries EMS HW50C, Honda EU2000i Generator, Bridgestone Duravis R250 tires, Torklift Glowstep Revolution Stairs, LED Tail lights
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie SRW LB CC Cummins 6.7L Aisin Trans B&W RVK3600
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06-22-2011, 12:54 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 4,200
M.O.C. #11401
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Leave ours on.
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06-22-2011, 01:07 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,356
M.O.C. #4831
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We have the stock tailgate and a Tonneau cover. Wouldn't be without either.
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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06-22-2011, 02:53 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 908
M.O.C. #7915
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Quote:
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
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That's what we did. This way the hitch is hidden while unhooked from the RV.k
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06-22-2011, 03:06 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sunshine
Posts: 1,445
M.O.C. #538
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Off since 2004. Got most of the bed full of aluminum boxes.
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06-23-2011, 01:22 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Brownsburg
Posts: 1,186
M.O.C. #5634
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Mine stays on. When unhooking I am watching center rear view mirror. I do not want to see the tailgate in that picture.
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06-23-2011, 01:42 AM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: West Sand Lake
Posts: 267
M.O.C. #10232
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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.
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06-23-2011, 04:09 AM
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#19
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: North Vernon
Posts: 261
M.O.C. #9087
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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
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06-23-2011, 04:55 AM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Leona
Posts: 6,382
M.O.C. #2059
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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.
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