Tailgate removal and handling

Perhaps not the answer you are looking for, but why not just leave the tailgate off? Ever since I got my first TC some 8 years ago, rarely has mine been put back on except for a very few occasions.

I haven't needed for tailgate removal, but if I did, I'd use my lift table:




Raise it up to the height you need, slide things on and off of it, roll stuff around on it. I think the cheapo one I have holds 600lbs.

Just a thought.

I've been thinking of the same thing. I don't like sitting it down or picking it up off the floor. Gotta be careful with the back these days.

In my new garage, the camper is going to sit so close to two walls that I wont be able to use that wall space for much of anything. I've been thinking that I would make sort of a narrow shelf for the tailgate to sit on, and attach it to the wall at the right height so I don't have to bend over to pick it up or sit it down. The tailgate will sit in the shelf standing up, the way it's mounted on the truck. I'll probably have to secure it with a bungy cord or a strap so it won't fall over.

Either on the wall to the side.......



Or behind the camper.



On edit: Actually, it might make more sense for me to put my shelf up here close to the garage door, where the end of the truck will be just before backing under the camper. Less squeezing around between the camper and the wall with a heavy tailgate in my arms.

Yeah, that's the ticket! :C




:):)

I also have a lift table for heavy or odd shaped objects. Multiple padded hooks along the wall (U or W shaped wrapped in pipe insulation foam) work well for a good tailgate storage location. Have you considered a lighter plastic fifth wheel style ventilated gate?

Another option would be to buy an aftermarket re-pop tailgate and have it painted. They are cheap and with cheap comes light weight. Less than half the weight of an OE tailgate.
Just don't expect to be able to load them up like a factory tailgate!

"I'd use my lift table:"

Steve, you are so smart! Never heard of one. I'm going to get DH one right away. It will help greatly to move heavy things like all of his batteries. He has disc issues and I don't want him hurting himself.

Thanks for the tip!

2nd set of hands is been my best bet....

campn4walleye wrote:
"I'd use my lift table:"

Steve, you are so smart! Never heard of one. I'm going to get DH one right away. It will help greatly to move heavy things like all of his batteries. He has disc issues and I don't want him hurting himself.

Thanks for the tip!

The 1000 lb hydraulic table kart is much more versatile - I even use it to lift my dune buggy when swapping tires.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=lift+table

The 4-Wheel drive shops have the webbing style tailgates that will help keep loose stuff from flying out and won't be an issue to remove or reinstall.

Ours has the camera in it, so leaving it off or replacing it is not an option, but that hydraulic table is intriguing.