Removing Tailgate with Backup Video

Your truck came with a cover to plug in when you remove your tailgate. Make sure to use it. A few thousand miles of rain, dirt, and road sludge caked into that electrical connector will not be good when you go to hook it all back up.

As for the bed camera for hooking up, I was able to order my 2014 Rsm with both a bed camera integrated into the third brake light and a backup camera in the tailgate. Works awesome for loading the truck camper.

That makes great sense! Don't have a 5th wheel so that did not occur to me! I like learning new stuff.

Bill.Satellite wrote:
You might want to research that option. Some studies were done that proved that no only do the vented/mesh tailgates not improve mileage but can actually cause a very slight reduction. Has something to do with the air cushion that develops in the bed itself and deflects the air more aerodynamically than if it goes straight out the back.

I too bought mine just for the ease of towing, not looking for any mileage improvement.

I had a v-notch tailgate on our previous trucks but it wouldn't fit this 2011 so I just removed the OEM tailgate and stored it to replace whenever I sell or trade. I didn't buy the v-gate for fuel mileage gain but just so that I didn't have to open and close the tailgate to hitch and unhitch.

I just unplugged the backup camera but wish that I had a new camera located in the bed of the truck to plug into the same outlet so I could see the fifth-wheel hitch as I back into the trailer.

MitchF150 wrote:
Just unplug the wire harness to the truck from the tailgate. Should be specific instructions in your owners manual.

Mitch

Remove the license plate and the camera connecter is right there to unplug.
I had a 5th wheel vent gate back on my 97 truck and did not find any advantage except not having to lower the tailgate to hook up.
I did not replace when I switched trucks in 2001 and have not missed it in the last 13 years. One of those personal preference items where some will not be without and some like me that will keep their real factory tailgate in place. Randu

Just unplug the wire harness to the truck from the tailgate. Should be specific instructions in your owners manual.

Mitch

You might want to research that option. Some studies were done that proved that no only do the vented/mesh tailgates not improve mileage but can actually cause a very slight reduction. Has something to do with the air cushion that develops in the bed itself and deflects the air more aerodynamically than if it goes straight out the back.