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10-23-2012, 10:50 AM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Shreveport
Posts: 64
M.O.C. #10127
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Louvered tailgates
Okay you nonsalesmen. Do louvered tailgates really save you on gas mileage. I've gotta replace my tailgate so I'm trying to figure out which route to go.
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10-23-2012, 11:39 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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__________________
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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10-23-2012, 11:45 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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I have one, but it's because it's light weight, not that expensive, had a V for the hitch, had a place for my backup camera and happened to be louvered. My understanding is that a bed cover helps some and a louvered tail gate is MPH iffy at best.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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10-23-2012, 12:08 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: _
Posts: 5,238
M.O.C. #6337
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Oh, I am here Bingo, but, learned my lesson on that last mega thread. I refuse to respond on the grounds that I may be asked to remove myself from the forum. And, I will never ever mention diamon%# again either! LOL
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10-23-2012, 12:08 PM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 351
M.O.C. #10119
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A friend of mine was planning on buying a louvered tailgate because he didn't want to risk hitting his regular tailgate, plus he thought he'd improve his fuel mileage. The shop selling the tailgate told him buying it to avoid the risk of hitting his regular tailgate is the only application, because if your pulling a 5th wheel behind the tow vehicle your not going to get improved fuel mileage. The wind will flow through the truck box, but hits the trailer behind the truck.
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DPAM
2017 GMC Denali diesel, crewcab, 4x4, regular box.
2010 Montana 3150RL- Moving to Montana Package , Hickory Edition Package, wet bolts
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10-23-2012, 12:10 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: _
Posts: 5,238
M.O.C. #6337
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However, I have discovered that Webmaster has a few links on this part of the new web pages. Make your own call. This does not seem to directly address the specific question posted by the OP. Read on - - and good luck!
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10-23-2012, 12:14 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,160
M.O.C. #6433
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A google search for tail gate fuel ecomomy will keep you in reading material far longer than you would want aobut tailgate up, tailgate down, louvered tailgate. But the general consensus is stock tailgate up is best for fuel economy.
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Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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10-23-2012, 12:17 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Roswell
Posts: 627
M.O.C. #12028
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Makes hooking up easier (with the V notch) and easier hooking up a tongue pull even without a notch due to the angle and being able to see through it, I don't think it saves fuel when pulling or not pulling. Mine is Handy Manufacture and for me the angle is perfect to see through.
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10-23-2012, 01:50 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location:
Posts: 992
M.O.C. #7128
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Aw shucks Carol :-)
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10-23-2012, 02:59 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Benson
Posts: 3,121
M.O.C. #1658
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Reliable sources say that a pickup gets best fuel economy with the stock tailgate up. However this all changes when you hook a fifthwheel to it. I have never seen a reliable test that claimed better fuel economy with a louvered tailgate but I think that may be because they didn't test one with jewels on it.
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10-23-2012, 03:47 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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You say you gotta replace your tailgate. I'd bet a louvered tailgate would be quite a bit cheaper...if that is also a factor.
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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10-23-2012, 05:27 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 2,751
M.O.C. #7753
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Eddie, the past louvered tailgate thread went on for over a hundred pages and lasted almost a year. It was mostly tongue in cheek and some of it was hilarious. I really wanted to replace my stock tailgate with rhinestone studded one since they are a lot cheaper then the diamond encrusted ones that SOME people touted. I still have my stock gate but it does have a ding or two and I am looking at other gates and a louvered gate is still in the running just because of low cost...
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10-23-2012, 06:19 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Diamond studded is what a new stock tailgate should be for what they charge. I sold my stock tailgate for what I though was an unbelievable amount of difference after I paid for the new one. Probably not saving gas money, but had money in the bank to start with.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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10-24-2012, 01:22 AM
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#14
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Shreveport
Posts: 64
M.O.C. #10127
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Sorry I missed the previous thread (I guess). Yes, I am one of those who dropped the 5er on the tailgate. Happened about two years ago and though my factory tailgate is functional and doesn't really look that bent I'm tired of losing items that roll out of the now one inch gap where the tailgate meets the bed. Yes, I am looking at the least expensive option.
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10-24-2012, 08:10 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3,335
M.O.C. #10496
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I've ruined 2 tailgates so far and it's been an expensive body shop repair. If there's a next time, I'm going with the (much cheaper) louvered tailgate.
__________________
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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