Vented tailgate

[Hardcandy]

Newbie here with a question. What are the pros and cons of a vented tailgate? I have a 8' box with a trifold cover and my stock tailgate on now, what should I do? This wasn't an issue when I had my TT

[jalichty]

I bought a "V" gate a number of years ago because I figured it wasn't if I was going to hurt my solid gate, but when. With the "V" you don't have to worry about forgetting to put the gate down and back up. As far as mileage, you are pulling a trailer or a FW, forget about getting better mileage. As far as safety from theft, I think a large number of them have keys to lock the gate so it only leaves a small place for those pesky thieves to get in if you have a covered bed, which I don't because I don't normally leave anything in the bed that I don't want to get stolen. But then, that's my personal preference and not everybody has the same preferences.

[azjeffh]

Allworth wrote:
Standing between the truck and the trailer, I lean in through the "V" and plug it in. I also load my 50amp cord (in a milk crate) through the cut down area and my wheel chocks (secured in another milk crate).

Got milk?

Sounds much easier than dropping the gate.

[Allworth]

Standing between the truck and the trailer, I lean in through the "V" and plug it in. I also load my 50amp cord (in a milk crate) through the cut down area and my wheel chocks (secured in another milk crate).

Got milk?

[azjeffh]

How do you with V-gates and with behind the wheel well connectors make your umbilical cord connection without dropping the gate?

I understand you can 'come over' the top of the bed, but it's not as easily accessible as connecting thru a dropped gate.

[big_buford]

I really like mine. Handy brand 80 bucks on CL. Less vacuum in bed. Never open it, unload firewood or whatever very easy from v area. Also much easier to get into the bed with gate up, step right thru v and your in. Very functional for the desert/ off-road camping I do. Been about a year and have no intention of putting stock gate back on.

[brownmht]

Hardcandy wrote:
Newbie here with a question. What are the pros and cons of a vented tailgate? I have a 8' box with a trifold cover and my stock tailgate on now, what should I do? This wasn't an issue when I had my TT

For me it's strictly ease of use. I used to run around a lot of times without the tailgate on at all simply because it's easier. I think the wife got concerned about what sort of image I was projecting and got us a louvered tailgate for Christmas. I cannot say there is a difference in fuel milage. However I can say hooking up is easier and a less sressful.

[Larryzv7]

I have a tonneau cover on my truck bed and it would be defeating to have a vented tailgate because I lock certain things in the bed of my truck, with the stock tailgate, and then secure the tonneau cover over them.

[cpaulsen]

I got mine off of Craigslist for 50 bucks...almost brand new. Sold my stock one for 250.00. I was exchanging them all the time and finally asked myself why??
People might not like it but it was my choice and it works for me.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Hardcandy wrote:
Newbie here with a question. What are the pros and cons of a vented tailgate? I have a 8' box with a trifold cover and my stock tailgate on now, what should I do? This wasn't an issue when I had my TT

Another perspective -

Positive:
You won't (ever) dent your stock, factory tailgate.
You won't have your (expensive to replace) stock T/gate stolen.
You don't have to drop the "V" gate to hitch up.
Stuff 'flying out' is not a problem - if you plan ahead.
You have a long bed and a tri-fold already, so you can cover the bed anytime when you're not towing. (hitch and? is out of sight, out of mind).
Since I'm not concerned with mileage, I have a solid backing for the lower part, (I have the one with round rods, rather than louvers), as well as a removable "V" section.
If you need to remove the tailgate for a long load, the V-gate is much lighter than the stocker. Drop a corner (oops!) no big deal.


Negative:
I haven't found any negatives yet.
Of course - it won't improve mileage, so that's a negative if you are expecting same.
Inexpensive (but stout) Northern Tool T/gate might look ugly to whatever is behind me/you.....
But - there's lots of very cool, "pretty" V gates avail for more money.

~

Lastly - you can buy an inexpensive V gate from Northern Tool for
about $180 (haven't checked lately - mine was about $150 a few years ago).
It's steel -vs- lots of (nicer) aluminum ones....but I've carried long & heavy lumber (longer than the S/bed) in the "V" with no problem.

~

[byronlj]

In addition to the pros already mentioned, I can hookup and backup my boat easier because I can see through the louvers.
Dave

[Old-Biscuit]

I have one on my truck for one reason and one reason only.......

Full timed, hitched/unhitched 5vr weekly.
The 'U' shaped 5vr tailgate made it easy. Louvered----could care less, it's the way they come.

If I was just weekend camping, vacation travel.....would never have changed tailgate.

The best towing tailgate I saw was a custom job.
Guy took his stock tailgate and had a 'U' cut into and then finish trimmed with a locking insert that filled the cutout.
Very cool....clean set up.

[goducks10]

I thought about getting one but couldn't weigh the cost/benefits. I just take my tailgate off when towing. I leave it off most of the summer. Much cheaper than a vented tailgate.

[rhagfo]

#1. It is another one of those personal choice items.

spud1957 wrote:

Hardcandy wrote:
Newbie here with a question. What are the pros and cons of a vented tailgate? I have a 8' box with a trifold cover and my stock tailgate on now, what should I do? This wasn't an issue when I had my TT

I have one. I had it when I had an 8' box. Didn't buy it because I thought it was "cool" or expected to save money on fuel. I bought it because with the 8' box, I could not hook up with my tailgate down or it would hit the trailer. It makes it a lot easier.

S

X3 to above, 1st 5er sat too close to have the tailgate down when hooking, and unhooking.

GregK wrote:
With a trifold cover that normally gives you a secure storage space you would lose that when you go to a vented tailgate.

Many offer a drop in panel that allows using a locking cover, back to personal choice.

one more pro is far less likely to damage a V tailgate, as you don't need to put it down to pull away or back into.

My total investment for three tailgates for two trucks is maybe $100, all bought and sold on Craigslist last was a Custom Flow designed to match the body lines of my Ram.

[mguay]

2 Reasons for me!
1. Ease of hooking/unhooking.
2. No more suction! Not only did I find my cooler lodged between the 5er and factory tailgate...but I also found my Blue Boy there as well!