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rhartman911's avatar
rhartman911
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013

Tailgate on/off

I have never had a 5th wheel trailer always have had Travel trailers.I am switching to a 5th wheel trailer and was woundering do I need to remove my tailgate while hauling it down the road how about uneven road surfaces.
I live in the Sierra Mountains so sometimes the Forestry campgrounds dont have level ground.I am aware of denting my stock tailgate if I leave the tailgate up while trying to hook up to the trailer.

Tow rig
1997 F-350 XLT,7.3 powerstroke
CC,4X4,8'bed,Auto Trans, 143,000 miles
Hitch; Husky 24K w
5th Wheeler---? haven't bought it yet 24'-27'

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  • craig7h's avatar
    craig7h
    Nomad II
    Jul 25, 2013
    I have always left the tailgate on. Its best if you leave it down while hooking up. Alot has to do with the distance between the tailgate and camper when tailgate is down. If you are having a distance problem then get a "V" style tailgate. The uneven roads doing damage to your truck will depend alot on the distance you have between the camper and truck bed rails.
  • deleted-2's avatar
    deleted-2
    Explorer II
    Jul 25, 2013
    I used to take mine off because the fiver we had was kind of close to the bumper.

    Tailgate off was way easier with that trailer.
    The hassle was having to tie everything down in the truckbed of course.

    The new bigger fiver we have now has plenty of room between the front compartment to bumper so tailgate back on.

    I like the gate back on for traveling.
    Things stay in the truckbed.

    I've never hit the tailgate on uneven roads or dented it hitching or unhitching...yet.

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