Forum Discussion
- wandering1Explorer
Our Place wrote:
Friend of mine says he gets better mileage with a vented/louvered tailgate. Do they really make a difference or is it just another novelty item that's nice to have but not needed.
If your friend gets better mileage it is such a small difference he cannot measure it. He is just trying to justify the expense of the tailgate. - PuddlesExplorer
RCMAN46 wrote:
Tom&Dee wrote:
It may not help with economy, but it does cut the turbulance a lot in the bed with a fiver on.
What are you basing this on? I have a vented v tail gate. I have had a 12x12x2 inch wood block made from 2x6's and 3/4 plywood that I use for the landing gear on my 5th wheel sucked out of the bed at 55 mph. It takes a lot of turbulence to do that. If something is not tied down I do not carry it in my truck bed. I can not testify what happens with a standard tailgate. Had the v gate from day one.
Had 2"x8"x17" boards blow out of bed regularly with standard tailgate. Since I changed to a notched, vented tailgate, nothing has blown out of the bed and no damage from hitting the pin. - fj12ryderExplorer III
Flyfisherman128 wrote:
Nah, you're thinking of the nylon webbed "tailgates". :)
But they look so Rednecky - ReelayExplorer
korbe wrote:
I bought mine for the ease of hitching and unhitching. It just happens to be louvered. And I do not believe my tailgate is "hideously ugly..."
I am in agreement with you. Makes it easier to climb in and out of when the trailer is unattached plus you don't have to drop the tailgate every time when getting into the truck bed or attaching the fiver to the hitch. Very easy to replace the stock tailgate after the RVing is over with for the year. Mileage is not an issue with me but the ease of having not to drop the tailgate is. - Flyfisherman128ExplorerBut they look so Rednecky
- Buckeye_ChuckExplorerI've had a blue plastic tarp blown out of my truck while towing my 5er with stock tailgate but never had chocks or wood blocks come out. Just came back from a 510 mile round trip to Ohio at turnpike speeds of 60 - 65 mph. Maybe my folded trifecta cover helped.
- rhagfoExplorer III
N-Trouble wrote:
Ever see the Mythbusters episode where they tested mileage on a truck with both tailgate on and off? The truck with the tailgate on got better mileage. MYTH BUSTED...
Not to mention those damn vented tailgates are hideously ugly...
That is an EMPTY BED, not with a 5er over the bed. The 5er more than breaks up the rolling of air over the bed, more less like apples and oranges!!
Don't know if it helps mileage, but 1st 5er required as the TG couldn't be opened with the 5er hitched. - wingsfan20ExplorerI have a lockable trifold hard cover. When disconnected from 5vr I lock the stock tailgate and cover. Would not have that security with the v-gate.
- Vette_RacerExplorerThe big help is with hooking and unhooking, especially if your trailer sits so close to the truck that you have to back in part way with the tailgate down, then get out and raise the tailgate to complete the hitch up without hitting the trailer with the tailgate. After a minimum of 4 times in and out of the truck, and probably more, you really appreciate the v tailgate, no matter what type or look.
About Fifth Wheel Group
19,006 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 23, 2025