Louvered Tailgates

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Did someone say diamonds??

No de-icer would ever melt diamonds!

(would it??)

[jretz]

I guess you could call it Solar with all the solar power reflected from the chrome and diamonds it would probably even melt the Monty.

[jretz]

Whow! page 23 come on 25

[Waynem]

You can't have solar power in the Winter - no sun. You would have to install a regular tailgate until you got to sunny land. You therefore would be heavier carrying two tailgates, unless you piggy backed them one on top of the other to get the benefit effects, if any, of the louvered tailgate. You, of course, would have to be careful as to which way you piggy backed them to ensure that you got the full benefit of both tailgates.

Whew!

[quarrles]

I ordered my new louvered aluminum tailgate yesterday. I realized from these postings that one would be not only functional but necessary for our fifth wheel camping future. Thanks to all for letting me see the light.


John

[bncinwv]

John,
If you would have listened to Robbie more closely, you would have ordered Chrome instead of aluminum and seen the light (reflection)even more brightly!!!!
Bingo

[simonsrf]

Bingo,

I think what John is saying is......since reading these posts, he has carefully considered the louvered tailgate options, and all the great recommendations and is going with the aluminum option. He really considered the wealth of information and sources and is sticking with his personal choice.

He has a right to be out of the light and substantially slower than others who opted for chrome or diamonds. Why do you think there are options and accessories to fit every need?

Are we having fun or what?

[bsmeaton]

Finally, I found a 12V de-icer kit for the tailgate for under $50. The tank gets installed in the rear fender and the nozzles are mounted in the bed just in front of the tailgate. A push button switch gets installed on the dashboard.

For another $20, you can get one that has a light that indicates on the button - "Low De-Icer" when the fluid level is too low.

[simonsrf]

BRAD!!

We had it all figured out, and then you complicated things!

Now, I have to re-evaluate my options; think I'll keep the shinnny stock tailgate.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Brad

How much more for the model with all the dazzling diamonds?? This one is much too plain looking!

[bncinwv]

Robbie,
You are correct with regards to John's selection of aluminum, and thanks for letting me see the light again with regards to personal choices. That is what makes this forum great.
Bingo

[8.1al]

Speaking of louvers;
I was wondering if maybe the tailgate louvers should be vertical rather than horizontal. Then if they are angled correctly the air flowing through could be directed away to the side, away from the front of the trailer. Of course it goes without saying that this would work better if it was chromed

[jretz]

But if you had the louvers vertical it would put a sideways air pressure and cause you to go in circles, unless the louvers on the right were facing right and the louvers on the left were facing left then it would push you stright but what would this do to the stearing of the TV, would it make it harder to turn or loosen it up, so many questions arise from this it hurts the brain.

[Longwell]

What about having them angled downward?
This would take almost all the pressure off the hitch and would enable the 3400 to be towed by a 1/2 ton truck!
Larry

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Larry, would not be something entirely new,

Saw on our way to RGV on Dec 21st in Arkansas, F 150 towing a 3255RL Montana.

Yepper we did!!

Dang, I have no idea what kind of tail gate he had

Here is an AH HA moment by yours truly - - -

Maybe he had super duper louvered tail gate!

So, that is how that works???

DUHHHHH

Since I did not check out the tail gate, I have no idea if there were diamonds or not!!

[bsmeaton]

No luck on the diamond covered model Carol, but I did find diamond-safe de-icer fluid!

Larry, I have towed my 3400 with a Ford Ranger equipped with a quality louvered tailgate. There are complications associated with low air flow in town with speeds below 25mph and at traffic lights. You need to add a Big A... Fan and dashboard control switch to push air through the louvers when stopped or cruising at low speeds. The switch was located where I now have my de-icer switch.

[bncinwv]

I can't for the life of me figure out if that reeked of sarcasm or was funny??????????

[quarrles]

Bingo,
You are absolutely right but the additional cost, not to mention extra weight, of the chromed tailgate would have been out of budget and put me over my hitch weight too. DW has, once again, come to my rescue by letting me have the rectangular mirror from the back of her closet door which I can now super glue to the lower half of the Big Sky to get the proper reflection whenever light hits it. Thank goodness for her resourcefulness.

John

[ole dude]

Does the fan turn ccw or cw when in town and does it change at highway speed?? Does it make any difference which way the louvers are directed ? Holy Smokes-- inquiring minds want to know.

[bsmeaton]

Oh man - you're right. I'm getting confused and it is a critical balance to keep.

Maybe "variable pitch" louvers or even fan blades?

Maybe if I add my signature I can roll this baby to 25!! - ahhhh guess not