Pros/cons of removing tailgate while towing

HEH458 wrote:
Husky makes a louvered tailgate that you attach your camera to.
http://www.huskyliners.com/product-detail/?category=8

That's interesting! $800 for gate and camera mount......

This is awesome, never thought I would get so many responses to this topic! THANKS. This is on my list of what to do/buy. Got to get the FW or TH first :) Then make a list of must haves, nice to haves, don't get!

nole_trainer wrote:
I've had a couple of comments about removing the tailgate for towing. It makes sense from a weight perspective. What about other pros/cons. What about loosing the backup camera? Thanks!

The only "weight perspective" is the lifting to close it..;)

IMO - replace with a "V" gate. Plenty of brands to choose from.
No need to put it down to hitch.
No worry about forgetting to put the TG "up" before backing.
No worry about theft of your non-traceable factory gate. (HOT item!)
Much lighter than the factory TG.
*If* you damage it, chump change compared to a replacement factory gate. (Your insurance deductible for factory gate replacement is..?)
A Northern Tool "V" gate is about $200.

Turn that backup camera loose - and hope you don't lose it..;)

Never needed a "backup" camera for a 5th wheel.
I can hitch up using the rear-view mirror.
Might help for a TT - or if you have a tall tool box, etc.

And, no - unfortunately a "V" gate won't improve mileage..:(

~

roverdover wrote:
The latch messed up on my tailgate last year so took it off for the season. It did make hooking up easier with not having to let the gate down. I did however have a wooden block made of 3 2x6's a foot long sucked out going down the highway at 65 mph. Back to towing with the gate on. I could not believe that block would come out, but it did.

X2 - but I have also lost stuff with the tailgate on so now I strap everything down. But last year we began towing a new 5er with a more rounded front cap and I now have to sweep out the firewood residue so I guess things are different for different lash-ups.

I dropped in a 2x10 in as an experiment, but I like it so well I may leave it there, or perhaps make up a removable wood storage box to fit across the back. The box could hold the larger stuff like a grill and/or a large tote tank. Admittedly the board looks a bit "rustic" right now but I'm also enjoying my exploration of the possibilities.

* * Edited * *

The sides of my bed is rock solid. Never seen a wobbly side on a full sized truck unless it's been abused on a construction site or the equivalent.

Since DH passed away and I now tow solo I don't have the tailgate on the truck. This eliminates the need for me to get in and out of the truck while hitching and unhitching.

It has been almost 6 years now and the sides of my truck bed are NOT wobbly and no need for a backup camera as I have very clear line of sight when not towing.

Please let me know which trucks have such flimsy sides on the beds so that I can eliminate them if I should need a new truck.

I use a Custom Flow V notched gate. I spray painted it to match the trucks color.
I need a actual gate to keep items from rolling or blowing or sliding out the rear of the bed.

Pros for my use are no more air turbulence in the bed.
So no more need to tie everything down.
No more getting out of the truck to open and close the gate for my RV or my GN trailers.


Cons ??
I haven't found any yet for my use.

Husky makes a louvered tailgate that you attach your camera to.
http://www.huskyliners.com/product-detail/?category=8

Funny thing:
- We were full time moving regularly with the OEM tailgate. Never even thought of the potential to hit it.
- Replaced the truck and the new (used) truck had some tailgate damage so we got a notched version off craigs list for $50 bucks. First time we diconnected, the pin caught on the notch. Luckily the gate was plastic and simply flexed and simply poped out of the hinge and it took 5 minutes to pop it back in.

The one thing I do like is with the higher beds on the new trucks it does allow you to see out the rear view mirror better while driving down the road.

smkettner wrote:
I remove the oem tailgate when the hitch is in. I use a $25 net across the back when towing. No big loss if I forget to loosen it up to hitch up. Saves some weight too.

Same here. I have no back up camera, so nothing lost by removing it other than the odds of damage to it, myself, or the trailer.