OK, I am new to the fifth wheel world and honestly a bit nervous being that I have never towed one, but have made the purchase and will be picking it up soon.What do you guys do with your tailgate? Mine has a camera built into it so im not in a rush to remove it. I know my father has one of those cut out tailgates, but can I leave mine on and just open it when hooking up?Sorry I know its a stupid question.

It's not really a stupid question, comes up quite a bit. I think you will be fine just making sure you drop the gate when loading the FW and take it off. Other than that, shouldn't be a problem. Since I didn't have a camera in the tailgate, I went with a "V" gate so I don't have to fool around with the tailgate, but that's just my choice. That tailgate camera will not do you much good when you are towing that FW but that's not a big deal either.

Some remove the tailgate. Some use a metal V gate. Some use a mesh gate. And many of us just leave the stock tailgate on. Just have to remember to lower it when hooking up or unhooking, and raise it afterward.I would not give up my camera.

Just keep your original tailgate and remember to open/close when hooking/unhooking.Unless your hooking/unhooking on a regular basis I would pass on the ugly V tailgate.Don't stress about pulling the 5er. YEs its size can be a bit intimidating but once you get down the road you'll wonder why you were so worried.

and....watch your clearance backing up with the tailgate down. I have only a couple of inches clearance with the tailgate down between it and the front storage compartment...so I need to be pretty straight, or back up under the pin and the close the tailgate to hitch ...if at a angle.Use a spotter you trust and talk about these issues, until you understand the possible problems.

Lower the tail gate, hitch and connect power close the tail gate. Been doing it that way for 10 years with no problems.

Tailgate question | Good Sam Community

bpounds
Nomad
May 08, 2015
One thing nice about the Vee gate that I have never seen mentioned - it is a nice aid to backing up centered on the pin. Just keep the pinbox centered as it passes through the vee, and it's a straight shot right into the hitch, even if you can't see it in the rearview mirror.

Not a big deal, just a nice little extra.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
May 08, 2015
I like to keep it simple so I use the V-gate, just one, or two, less things to remember to do. Shoot, I'm lucky to remember I've got a 5th wheel back there. The less I have to remember the better off I am. Plus we bought this truck used and the OEM tailgate was already bent up from someone not remembering to lower it before pulling forward.
Vulcaneer
Explorer
May 08, 2015
I have had a V gate. But now use the stock tailgate. I like it much better than the V' Gate. I also have a bed cover to keep things dry and safe. And locking the stock tailgate adds some security for the items stored in the bed.
Halmfamily
Explorer
May 08, 2015
Make sure you are fairly square to the fifth wheel when backing in to hitch up. You will leave a lovely 6" hole in your basement door as I did with my old fifth wheel if your not. For some reason the doors don't withstand a tailgate hitting them.
AZ_T_T
Explorer
May 07, 2015
donn0128 wrote:
Lower the tail gate, hitch and connect power close the tail gate. Been doing it that way for 10 years with no problems.

That's how I do it. I don't want to remove the tailgate so I will have my camera while I'm not towing.
mowin
Explorer
May 07, 2015
I can see how it can happen. I'm new to FW, and I don't want it to happen so I double check everything. So far so good...
laknox
Nomad
May 07, 2015
N-Trouble wrote:
Have a buddy who took out two tailgates in two years on the same truck. Witnessed both incidents . Each time he forgot to lower the gate after disconnecting. Yes he hears about it all the time. Makes for great campfire stories:) He now has a TT...

:h FIRST thing on my checklist...right before chocking the trailer.

Lyle
N-Trouble
Explorer
May 07, 2015
Have a buddy who took out two tailgates in two years on the same truck. Witnessed both incidents . Each time he forgot to lower the gate after disconnecting. Yes he hears about it all the time. Makes for great campfire stories:) He now has a TT...
whiteeye42
Explorer
May 07, 2015
i leave mine on just open it when hitching and unhitching the fifth wheel
laknox
Nomad
May 07, 2015
FWIW, I towed for years with the OEM gate but my brother picked up a V gate on a trade and gave it to me. I do like it for the ease of hitching/unhitching but it also significantly reduces in-bed turbulence. In =my= case, it's pretty bad, enough to blow wood and wheel chocks out at fairly low speeds with the OEM gate in place.

Lyle

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