No Tailgate

[garycq]

I once had a 5th wheel tailgate but it got banged up several times and I decided to dump it. Been wondering about just leaving the tailgate off when traveling with my 5th wheel. I have also been debating about getting a net type tailgate that I have seen advertised. If I left my tailgate off I would have to secure any and all thing in my truck bed if I left anything back there but would I have to do that with a net type tailgate? I just don't like the standard 5th wheel tailgate because me or my sons have banged it up to many times and I also worry about doing that with a stock tailgate. I do get forgetful at times.:B

[Bipeflier]

No tailgate since 1991.

I do use a 2 X 10 board in the Chevy bed slots behind the hitch. I don't haul much in the bed other than a couple of 5 gal. diesel cans and the 50 Amp cord.

[kennethwooster]

I ran one truck without a tailgate while towing and would reinstall while farming. Really made things easier to get to but also had to be heavy to leave things in the bed, or tied down. I'm just being more careful so as to not bang up the tailgate.

[garycq]

Thank you for your experienced replies. I think a net should solve my problem!
Gary

[NMDriver]

Truck boxes should solve your issue. One in front of the hitch and another behind the hitch. You should be able to make a custom size box to fit behind your hitch and low enough for hook ups and turning without hitting the box.

[Big_Dog2]

No problem. I have pulled my 5th since 07 with no tailgate. I do have a metal tool box in front of the hitch for all my "stuff" that is carried in the box. No question about securely fastening anything in the truck box due to the wind turbulence.

When the bugs are are real bad, I have bugs on the trailer hitch. Since the king pin is lower than the top of the truck cab and there are bugs impacted on the hitch, it would seem to my way of thinking that there is a wind tunnel back there.

[jaycocamprs]

I ran without a tailgate for several years. Never had a problem, but anything behind the hitch was tied down. I now run a Custom Flow 5'er gate, still at odd angles I have to drop it.

[BB_TX]

No problem with having no tailgate as long as there is nothing loose in the bed to blow out or fall out, because it will.
Net type gate would be ok also but you would most likely have to lower it to hook up the 5er unless they make a V type net.

[Golden_HVAC]

Blue Ox makes a bar that attaches to a fifth wheel hitch, so if the hitch ever comes loose, this new bar will catch the hitch pin, so it will not drop to the truck bed.

http://blueox.com/p-1276-bedsaverpinlock.aspx



Fred.

[Racine96]

I guess if you have damaged in the past the tailgate, then the net type would be the way to go.

[DutchmenSport]

I've seen the net tail gates. If you use one, I don't think you'll have any problems with anything falling out the back. And if you don't like things sliding around in the back of your bed anyway, you most likely will have things anchored down or tied down to keep them from moving anyway. So the net would work well for you. This sounds like a reasonable solution to me. Good luck!

[v10superduty]

garycq wrote:
I once had a 5th wheel tailgate but it got banged up several times and I decided to dump it. Been wondering about just leaving the tailgate off when traveling with my 5th wheel. I have also been debating about getting a net type tailgate that I have seen advertised. If I left my tailgate off I would have to secure any and all thing in my truck bed if I left anything back there but would I have to do that with a net type tailgate? I just don't like the standard 5th wheel tailgate because me or my sons have banged it up to many times and I also worry about doing that with a stock tailgate. I do get forgetful at times.:B

Sorry but I don't understand what your question (if there is one) is?
But from what you say, if you have banged up a fifth wheel type tailgate too much; then ya, I would suggest NO tailgate or a net type.
Hard to damage either of those..:B

[powderman426]

Just be careful what you store in the bed. There is a whole lot of turbulance going on back there. I once had a trolling motor in its box and before I knew it, it was levitating.