Dang, I forgot a 5th wheel commandment:

[Mark N.]

The one that says "Ye shall nevermore pull forward from the hitch until thou hast dropped the tailgate."
It isn't severe. The tailgate still closes and latches, but it doesn't close flush. The latch got pushed about 1/2" out of its hole.
Crap. I wonder how much this will cost to get fixed/replaced. My truck has less than 4,000 miles on it. The first one always hurts the worst, huh?
But the Montana was unscathed! (As one would expect)

[davidaf]

The first one hurts the worst but the second makes you sick since you didn't learn from the first. I'll let you know how the third one feels once I do it.

[DQDick]

Had no doubt I would do that so I went with a V gate. Very easy to get distracted and do things out of order.

[rohrmann]

That's what is nice about having the trailer receptacle inside the bed, where you have to open the tailgate to pull the plug.

[JandC]

I am hating dealing with my tailgate since I put it back on. If I could find someplace with a V tailgate in stock I would buy it on this trip and put my stock one in the basement immediately.

[maximo]

Backed into a short post with my tailgate down. Ford F250 2002, close to $600 for the tailgate after
Painting and having it done in Line-X. Tried to find a used tailgate and the salvage yards said that was one of the most wanted used items.

Frank

[rohrmann]

Used tailgates are hot items, especially the new ones with built in cameras. If you don't already have a lock on yours, it would be a wise investment to get an aftermarket lock, need to make it hard to steal. Several years ago, also had an attempted theft of my spare tire while parked in my driveway, but already had an aftermarket spare tire lock, so when I discovered the spare dangling from the lock, it ticked me off, but also gave me the satisfaction that the lock saved me a chunk of change. People will steal anything.

[boat391]

JandC .... I got my v gate at camping world in stock I called around to areas I was going through and found one in stock in Vacaville ca. So stopped and picked it up the install was a snap.

[WaltBennett]

"The first one hurts the worst but the second makes you sick since you didn't learn from the first. I'll let you know how the third one feels once I do it."

LMOL! Our new/used truck came with a V gate, but I put a piece of plywood behind it so the Softopper would close right. Guess I'll have to one day destroy that plywood to join the club!

[Champ_49]

Just replaced my tailgate and had an estimate from the Ford dealer of $1488.00 includes all hardware.

Dave

[bigred715]

Never deal with the dealer, go to a wrecking yard FIRST! Dealer parts are grossly inflated.

[richfaa]

Our stock tailgate is in the storage shed. V tailgate on truck.

[Bigsky3625RE]

quote:Originally posted by rohrmann

That's what is nice about having the trailer receptacle inside the bed, where you have to open the tailgate to pull the plug.

Yep. Glad ours is in the bed as well.

[Artemus Gordon]

Thou art forgiven. Go forth and learn about second commandment. Thou shalt not open sewer valve till pipe is firmly in sewer connection !

[patc73]

My husband just took off the tailgate & put on a net. That way we won't make any mistakes!

[JandC]

quote:Originally posted by boat391

JandC .... I got my v gate at camping world in stock I called around to areas I was going through and found one in stock in Vacaville ca. So stopped and picked it up the install was a snap.

Thanks Tim, I will start doing searches at Camping Worlds coming up on our route. I know they show a Stromberg Carlson 4000 Series that is suppose to fit my F350 in their on-line ads.

[CORattler]

I couldn't help but chuckle at your dilemma. No, I'm not laughing at you or your situation but I am now on my 3rd tailgate (I'm a slow learner) at $1700 apiece. My insurance went up too.
I backed into a tree once and backed into the pinbox once.I'm on a fist name basis with my collision repair shop.
I have to have a regular tailgate installed so I can secure the contents of stuff I keep in the bed. V-gate or net wouldn't suffice for me.
Best of luck to you. If it's any comfort, you are not alone. Plenty here have made bonehead mistakes as well.

[poloace]

I had the tailgate up and backed into out tripod. Now the tailgate has a nice dent to match my head when i ran into the kingpin and about knocked myself out.

[MrRobinGrimes]

I've banged my forehead on the bedroom slide so many times I've considered buying a helmet and wearing it everytime I go to the drivers side of the rig.

[Mark N.]

Well, your stories are helping me feel less like an idiot and more of an actual RV'er. I guess it comes with the territory, huh? I just really hate the first damage to a new vehicle...It's extra painful. Thanks for all the comments!