Louvered tailgates

[Mickey_G]

How many of you have the louvered tailgate on your truck?
I found one for $150 on Craigslist, and am wondering if its worth it, or just stay with my stock tailgate?

[bpounds]

jalichty wrote:
When I put ours on the first time, I told the tech that it wasn't if I "might" hit the tailgate, but when so why set yourself up for disaster. Don't have much in the back of short-bed truck so no real need to have a locking tailgate, but the one I currently have does have a lock, however, I don't remember where I put the keys when I bought it a little over six years ago.

My Custom Flow takes the same key as the typical storage compartments on campers. Which means not very secure, but at least you have one less key to keep around.

Someone above mentioned the insert that Custom Flow sells to close off the Vee. I have one. Used it recently when I had to park at the airport and was too lazy to put my OEM tailgate back on. Works okay. Looks pretty good too.

[jalichty]

When I put ours on the first time, I told the tech that it wasn't if I "might" hit the tailgate, but when so why set yourself up for disaster. Don't have much in the back of short-bed truck so no real need to have a locking tailgate, but the one I currently have does have a lock, however, I don't remember where I put the keys when I bought it a little over six years ago.

[fulltime5er]

My new one had the option of a rear camera mount, which I got. I have all the function of the OEM tailgate.

[rhagfo]

joebedford wrote:
I like to lock my bed - can't do that with cut down louvered tailgate.

Custom Flow makes a drop in panel that locks and the TG locks.

[Don___Barb_Bogu]

I liked my plastic one till I hit it with the pin. glad we kept the OEM.

[partsman01]

I sure like mine.

[Sonora108]

I like our louvered tailgate just for the reason I don't have to raise or lower it when hooking up. If I am not going to use the 5ver for a month or so I pull the B&W Companion off and install our Camper Shell and just leave the Louvered Tailgate on, looks funny but it works just fine.
Bill

[larry_barnhart]

SH wrote:
I really like not having to deal with the stock tailgate every time I hitch or unhitch!

same here.
chevman

[Butch50]

I have one that I put on my new truck. If I forget to put it down or up it costs a lot less than my OEM would. I had a friend have his tailgate stolen years back and it cost him around $800 for a straight tailgate out of a wrecking yard. Then he had to get it painted.

Yes my truck had the backup camera so I lost that function but I also have a cargo camera and it works almost as well as the tailgate camera. I do have to turn it on on my screen to make it work.

Mine is a Handy metal louvered one and looks good on the truck.

[RAS43]

SH wrote:
I really like not having to deal with the stock tailgate every time I hitch or unhitch!

X2 It makes hooking up much easier, IMO. And I still use my roll up tonneau cover and important gear fits in the tool box.

[Allworth]

Would not travel without mine.

However, if we are going to be home for an extended period (say six weeks or more) I put the factory tailgate back on so I can lock up the bed with my Pace-Edwards retractable cover.

I also leave the hitch hanging on the pin during such stays.

[SH]

I really like not having to deal with the stock tailgate every time I hitch or unhitch!

[Coach-man]

Back up camera in my tail gate, which I would lose if I changed. Big advantage, you do not have to drop and pick up when hitching and un hitching! Any increase in mileage would be minimal.

[joebedford]

I like to lock my bed - can't do that with cut down louvered tailgate.