2005 F350 tailgate - Montana Owners Club

montanared · 09-29-2005, 02:44 PM

Well, I did it. Unhitched and pulled forward without dropping the tailgate. Not pretty. Now I am looking for a 5th wheel tailgate, but all I can find is up to 2004 F350's. Does anyone know if a 2004 tailgate will fit a 2005 F350?

Thanks in advance!

Countryfolks · 09-29-2005, 03:16 PM

Maybe this will help for a Customflow tailgate.
http://www.truckcustomizers.com/prod...4CFL184.3.html

You may possibly get a better price from Acme truck parts. That's where I got mine. [No connection, just a satisfied buyer.] They don't show one on their website but it still may be available thru their customer service or order desk.

http://acmetruckparts.com/

Note: Their catalog shows # 71058.18X for 87-05 Ford F-series, regular [straight top] or 5th wheel from 269.95

Skip

faeb and genb · 09-29-2005, 04:05 PM

You can check J C Whitney out of Chicgo. That is where I found my front mount hitch.
Gene

Montana Sky · 09-29-2005, 06:24 PM

I have the custom flow tailgate that was on my 2003 Chevy. I have since replaced that truck with a 2004 and it fits perfect. I would try to find a rv dealership and try one on for size and see what you think...

Fordzilla · 09-29-2005, 09:09 PM

If it makes you feel any better I have done the same thing to mine. lucky for me though I was only coasting out from under the hitch and hadn't tried to pull against it real hard so my tailgate still shuts. I did find this place that sells a lot of ford used parts if you are interested in just replacing the tailgate with another stock one.http://www.customsales.net/
I'm not sure if the '04 and '05's are interchangeable anymore either.

jackw87 · 09-30-2005, 04:02 AM

I don't know about the 04 to 05 but I ame using the 5th wheel tail gate on my 05 that I used on my 02 so I think the beds are the same

richfaa · 09-30-2005, 07:50 AM

Ok..I am going to be a new fifth wheel puller..what is this about NOT lowering your tailgate when pulling forward.Are you saying that you MUST lower the OEM tailgate when pulling forward??? that would explain the funny looking tailgates with the V shape in the middle of them..No one ever told me about the tailgate thing///

Parrothead · 09-30-2005, 08:46 AM

Rich
It is not that much trouble to lower the tailgate to hitch and unhitch. We have pulled three fifth wheels and have never gone to the expense of the V tailgate. If you have a detailed hitch and unhitch list, then just add that on and remember to put it up when you are hitched.
Happy trails....................

drhowell · 09-30-2005, 10:15 AM

Well there is another option rather than lowering the factory gate or purchasing a 5th wheel gate. You can always raise the pin high enough to clear the gate. I am not recommending you do that but it is an option.

I used to lower my gate to hook and unhook but the old 5th wheel we had didn't leave enough room for the gate to be down when hooked. So I would back part way under just so the pin cleared the gate and then close the gate to back up the last 18" to hook. The Montana has lots of room between the tail gate and the forward storage so it isn't a problem leaving the gate down until the hookup is complete.

With all that said, I have the airflow gate with the notch and it is great! I usually keep it on to help gas mileage when the 5th wheel is not behind me. Better than lowering the tail gate and forgetting to plan for the extra 20" hanging out the back. And of course preventing the bent tail gate scenario. Probably cheaper than buying a new factory tail gate?

richfaa · 09-30-2005, 02:18 PM

We saw a product at the FCRV campvention this July..Ronstan ..perhaps you saw it also..It is called Bedsaver and pin lock.. Loks like it would prevent this kind of thing from happening..I was going to get one to prevent the dropping the camper trick. The Web site is www.blueox.us will someone take a look and tell me if this thing will prevent the tailgate thing...

Searchers · 09-30-2005, 02:50 PM

Rich,

There's at least one MOC member that has this device and claims it's saved his bedrails more than once when the "Big Guy" dropped off the hitch. I'd bet he'll be along to give you more details soon.

sreigle · 09-30-2005, 05:08 PM

Yes, it will fit. We have had the same FW tailgate on our 1999 F350, 2003 F350, and 2005 F250.

mallardjusted · 09-30-2005, 05:22 PM

For me the "V" or flow-through wasn't an option, as I have a folding hard cover for my bed, and the factory tailgate allows me to lock everything up when not towing. Therefore the checklist is a great solution.

But if you don't want or need to lock up your truck bed, then the special tailgates are a great option.

tundra rose · 09-30-2005, 08:09 PM

The Blue Ox 'Bedsaver' will save the sides of the bed if the landing gear is not down; however, it probably would not have saved your tailgate. Having dropped the 5er on my bed this summer, I'll have a Bedsaver by next year. The investment is less that the insurance deductible.

richfaa · 10-01-2005, 01:53 AM

we to have the fold-a-cover insstalled.had not thought about the locking feature which is one of the reasons we got it..Montanared did not indicate if the landing gear was down or not..Perhaps he can advbise us of the exact conditions and If the bedsaver would have saved the day...I am going to get the bedsaver anyhow because dropping the Rv sounds like something I would do sooner or later... The price I got on the bed saver from the vendor was 157.00.

drhowell · 10-01-2005, 04:02 AM

Looks like the Blue Ox Bed saver takes up some valuable space in the bed of the pickup?

richfaa · 10-01-2005, 04:25 AM

Yes it does..however...space VS damage to TV and the inconvenience that goes with it...Cost VS benefits may be worth it. We did measure how much space it took and now can't find the number. Maybe some one who has it can give us the number???

krvk · 10-01-2005, 06:34 AM

I had the flow thru (V) tail gate on our '99' F350 Ford (it is now in storage). On our '05' F350 Ford have the stock gate with Pace-Edwards roll top so we can lock it up. I have put yellow & black striped (caution) tape across the inside top edge of the tail gate, so that when unhooking or hooking up it will remind me if I falled to lower the gate (the has worked great so far). We also have the Bed-Saver since I dropped twice before on previous units.

montanared · 10-02-2005, 01:02 PM

Fortunately the landing gear was down, and the damage to the tailgate was cosmetic as it still opens and closes.... just hated dinging a pickup that was less than 5 months old.

But finding out a 2004 tailgate fits a 2005 gives me the direction (and confidence) I needed.

THANKS TO ALL. I love this forum!!!!

montanared · 10-05-2005, 02:47 PM

New tailgate arrived today. Took less than an hour to install. Hardest part was getting the old tailgate off.

Thanks to all who replied... both here and via email. Gave me confidence.

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