New Truck, 2013 Northstar Pop Up

KD4UPL wrote:
The "face" or sheet metal of the tailgate that is facing the road all the time will probably take a sever beating from gravel, dirt, and road debris.
Assuming this is a long bed truck I think it would be fine. Some people try to use a short bed truck to haul a long bed camper and think the tailgate will hold up the back end of the camper. That puts a thousand or more pounds on the tail gate which it likely isn't designed for. It doesn't sound like you're trying to do that.

All these stupid gadgets have ruined trucks for those of us who actually need them to earn a living. They keep driving up the prices and complicating things with all the cameras, sensors, etc. And, they keep making them so high off the ground it's hard to reach your tools.

Mud flaps cure rock chips and the OP isn't putting a long bed camper on a short bed truck.
Especially considering the OP was thorough enough to post that he has the same bed length on the new truck, as the old one which he hauled the same camper with )presumably without issue, or his question would likely be different.

That said, I do agree that most of the multiple functionalities of tailgates is not an improvement by any means for those that use their pickup trucks like trucks.
It started with electric locks and Ford tailgate steps and has now morphed into, integrated cameras, electronic button latches, "soft" open features like an upgraded toilet seat, power up functions and at least 2 different variations of multi function, being Ram's barn doors and GM's swiss army knife models.
Can't wait to see how Ford and Toyota top this!

3 different personal trucks in the last 4 years and each has had an issue with a tailgate "feature" that didn't used to be even a consideration.

Just yesterday, the electronic lock function had a glitch on our 2016. It may have moisture in the plug or ??? Started working again after I unlocked it once with the key and then performed the highly technical, "push the remote button many times until it starts working again" routine! LOL

2016 Chevy with an "easy down" feature. That worked for about 50k miles then just broke.

2020 Chevy has electronic release latch. After cramming the bed full of concrete blankets once, I had to lean into it to get the tailgate closed. Following that, the electronic operated latches still work, but the tailgate doesn't pop open and come down like it used to, it just releases and you have to pull it down.

None of these trucks are "work" trucks. Yes I use them to do work, but they lead good lives. They're not out in the field workin every day.