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Old 08-03-2019, 05:16 PM   #1
brianswallace571
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5th Wheel Tailgate

I am considering purchasing a louvered 5th wheel tailgate, can any of you share some insight into the difference pulling your 5er with a stock vs. 5th wheel tailgate? Thanks!
 
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Old 08-03-2019, 05:22 PM   #2
Carl n Susan
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Pro: no need to open tail gate to hitch/unhitch
Con: bed contents are exposed despite having a tonneau cover.

Neither dramatically affect fuel mileage. I think I remember the Myth Busters proving a solid tail gate was marginally better.
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Old 08-03-2019, 07:53 PM   #3
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I too recall seeing test showing virtually no difference. Most of the chrome ones I see have ugly rust stains. If you have one painted to match then you are looking at another several hundred dollars. Don't know if locking ones are availabil for those with tonneau covers.
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Old 08-03-2019, 10:16 PM   #4
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We have a dent in ours so looking at a flow thru aftermarket replacement. Surprised to find there are several plastic ones out there!!
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Old 08-04-2019, 12:04 AM   #5
CaptnJohn
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Originally Posted by mtlakejim View Post
We have a dent in ours so looking at a flow thru aftermarket replacement. Surprised to find there are several plastic ones out there!!
Will not be without one! Sadly, Husky quit making them about 2 years ago. They were the best and most expensive. I bought a Husky gate for my 2015 F250 and put it on my 2016 F350. My 2019 F350 dually will be delivered in 3 days and the gate will not fit. I'm disappointed. So-- I'll be selling the Husky knowing no one builds a product of the same quality!
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Old 08-04-2019, 05:54 AM   #6
Dave W
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I have an Aero Flow (now Custom Flow) steel 5er tailgate along with the optional filler panel that makes it a full tailgate though with louvers when not towing. No clue if it helps fuel mileage but it for sure makes hooking up a bunch easier. It can be locked though the Canadian manufacturer uses that dreaded CH751 lock which I have changed. I've had it since 2015 and to date, not any sign of rust though I do pull it off and reinstall the original OEM when we are done for the season.



I considered a much less costly Stromberg Carlson plastic tailgate but decided that since my truck is often used for heavy hauling other then the 5er that it would not survive. Plastic would also not support my 200 pounds over several years use walking with or without carrying the 75 pound per piece B&W hitch across it either.


https://www.amazon.com/Custom-Flow-V...gateway&sr=8-6


https://www.amazon.com/Advance-Manuf...ateway&sr=8-28


(phew - it got kinda expensive!!)
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Old 08-04-2019, 07:35 AM   #7
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I prefer to be able to lock and secure from eyes and weather what I keep in our truck bed.
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Old 08-04-2019, 07:48 AM   #8
fatcatzzz
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Anyone know of one that will allow the use of the backup camera on a Ram?
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Old 08-04-2019, 08:27 AM   #9
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We had a stromberg carlson plastic one on our old truck and it had the Ram backup camera installed on it. Worked fine for 6 years even with my 250# and generators going in an out. Didn't get one for the new truck due to the bed getting full of dust and water even with the cover on. Nothing like going down a gravel road and getting all that dust sucked in and then having wind driven rain before you can clean it out.
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Old 08-04-2019, 08:42 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by fatcatzzz View Post
Anyone know of one that will allow the use of the backup camera on a Ram?
Same question for me. And the electric factory style lock as well
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Old 08-04-2019, 09:02 AM   #11
fatcatzzz
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Originally Posted by DQDick View Post
We had a stromberg carlson plastic one on our old truck and it had the Ram backup camera installed on it. Worked fine for 6 years even with my 250# and generators going in an out. Didn't get one for the new truck due to the bed getting full of dust and water even with the cover on. Nothing like going down a gravel road and getting all that dust sucked in and then having wind driven rain before you can clean it out.
Seems they quite making the one that is built into the tailgate. Now have a license plate adapter for the camera. Not sure how that would work. I do understand what you are saying about the dust and rain. Mud.
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Old 08-04-2019, 09:52 AM   #12
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About 3 years ago I ordered a "Handy" brand all metal powder coated fiver tailgate from Amazon. It is very sturdy, the finish is holding up well (no rust) and I am very happy with it overall. Cost was around $275.00 if memory serves me well. It i black and my truck is charcoal gray so I didn't bother having it painted.
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Old 08-04-2019, 12:20 PM   #13
mtlakejim
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DQDick View Post
We had a stromberg carlson plastic one on our old truck and it had the Ram backup camera installed on it. Worked fine for 6 years even with my 250# and generators going in an out. Didn't get one for the new truck due to the bed getting full of dust and water even with the cover on. Nothing like going down a gravel road and getting all that dust sucked in and then having wind driven rain before you can clean it out.
If it held up for you Dick then I am going to pull the trigger on it. As you know we don't use a cover on our 1 ton bed (and if we get the welder/generator never will) so it wouldn't make a difference about dust. Rain what's that?? LOL
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Old 08-04-2019, 12:20 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by WeBeFulltime View Post
About 3 years ago I ordered a "Handy" brand all metal powder coated fiver tailgate from Amazon. It is very sturdy, the finish is holding up well (no rust) and I am very happy with it overall. Cost was around $275.00 if memory serves me well. It i black and my truck is charcoal gray so I didn't bother having it painted.
I'll have to check into that brand since it is about the same price as the Carlson plastic one.....
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Old 08-04-2019, 12:22 PM   #15
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On my Ford F350 Platinum, while in Miami they stole my tailgate....nearly $10000.00 yep, nearly $10K. I should have had one of those cheap nets instead of the regualr tailgate.



I now lock the tailagte and have a side lock on the one side too. And, i'll never leave my truck in Miami again.
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Old 08-11-2019, 01:52 PM   #16
phillyg
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Had one on my last truck because I dropped the pinbox on it! No noticeable fuel difference. My hitch sits high in the truck bed so I can't use a cover for security.
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Old 08-11-2019, 02:52 PM   #17
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I have the Andersen Ultimate hitch, so there's zero chance of dropping the hitch on a tailgate. It serves zero purpose for me and I think they're really ugly so nope. I like being able to hide things under my cover.
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Old 08-11-2019, 03:32 PM   #18
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I have the Stromberg Carlson metal gate and it is prone to rust. Have to touch it up yearly. Works fine but you cannot put any weight on it to slide something into the bed, nor can you sit on it. Can't say it works any better on my set up than the stock tailgate. Nothing to do with the quality as it is a great price but I wouldn't order another of any brand as the stock gate works just fine and you can use it with a cover. My stock tailgate comes with a lock which I never use due to very low crime in my area, but for those of you who live in bigger cities, a lock is nice.

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Old 08-11-2019, 04:01 PM   #19
Graham
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Aluminum tailgate

Have a 2008 1 ton dodge ram diesel and bought an aluminum slatted tailgate in 2009. Still looks like brand new! I don’t put much in the back other than levelling boards when I travel so exposure wasn’t a concern for me ..... have a stock tailgate that’s been in storage for 10 years now...wow, how time passes!
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Old 08-11-2019, 07:16 PM   #20
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I bought a Husky aluminum 5er gate I 2014 for my 2015 F250. Switched it to my 2016 F350, Still looks good. Paid $597.It does not fit my 2019 F350 dually. Called Husky and was told they quit making the gates 2 years ago because they were so busy with floor liners. Ok, I bought the floor liners for the new truck. The gate will go on CL this week.
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