"Outside the Box" porch idea - opinions?

[Stars101]

While pricing the materials for a custom porch/deck I always decide that it's not worth the cost if I can't get my DH to weld it for me.

And it's not worth my marriage to try and work with him on a TC project LOL 🙂 Been there, done that - nearly needed a lawyer.

Sooo, thinking outside the box -

what if I bought a junk yard tailgate and had the local fab guy weld up something using that as a base? Seem like it would save me time and money since I only want an additional of expanded metal mesh added in front of the TC door.

By the time I bought all the material, and man-hours, to basically make an entire custom "porch" that's only 12" deeper than the tailgate it just seems not very cost effective... but having the welder tack on the small amount of metal mesh and (appropriate frame) I would like on a junker tailgate seems like it might work.

In all my research I've never seen anyone retro fit a tailgate, only all these awesome custom jobs.

Any opinions?

[Reddog1]

Grit dog wrote:
02-07. 1500
03-09 HD are the same body style.

I do not understand, what is your point?

[Stars101]

Thanks everyone.

I appreciate you hanging in with me and trying to follow my question since I didn't post a photo.

I rec'd some new ideas here - thanks. I have been over almost the entire internet and have a file full of porches, but still wanted something a little different.

And I am always trying to shave off pounds b/c we have a SB truck and if we add our 3 bike rear rack we can feel a difference in handling having the extra weight hanging off the back, so I can't do a really nice porch/storage box or area - as much as I want and need to. I know if I add 75-100 lbs. back there I will really feel it when I am driving.

Appreciate the feedback everyone.

[Joe417]

Star101, since you want to be stealthy with it, (but I don't think he's really that grumpy) picking up an old tailgate might be a simple way to go. Keeping the original tailgate original is a good idea. Not sure what models will fit but the junk yard probably will know.

Since you want to add something to it to stand on you don't have to get one that looks good with the truck or is in like new condition. That should save some on the cost. Nice looking tailgates are expensive.

Will your tailgate cables will hold it up with the 770 on. Probably be a simple task to add something to hold it up that plugs into the hitch receiver if not.

One thing to check is that nothing is stick down right there at the back of the camper.

Good luck with the project.

Edit: Someone else mentioned a 5th wheel vent gate. That would be a good starting point. They are light weight and you should be able to find one used cheap on ebay or CL. I paid $175 for a new Stromberg Carlson a few years back. Basic square 1" tubbing. The one I have is steel. If you found an aluminum one you wouldn't have to worry about rust.

[Grit_dog]

02-07. 1500
03-09 HD are the same body style.

[FireGuard]

Instead of looking for a tailgate, get a replacement made for towing a 5th wheel. Many styles and sizes andddd would cheaper and easier to add more metal onto it.
As someone mentioned, if you are going to extend it I would add cables or chains to the end of the gate to support it. Probably attach them to the camper jack brackets.
Just a thought, any high school or college welding shop classes that need "projects"

[RoyB]

Whole bunch of TC platforms on google search...

RV TRUCK CAMPER STEPS

Mouse click on the google images that catches your eye...

Roy Ken

[AnEv942]

Pictures would make this oh SO clear. But if Im understanding, tailgate is current used, ladder? bolts to it when camping. You want another 12" between ladder and end of tailgate because the tailgate only protrudes 6". Which I gather is or acts as the landing when stepping out. While even a trashed tailgate cant see being less than material..be a big heavy thing that would need to be transfered to use camper.

Seems, again trying to 'see', how about a simple frame the 12" x width of 'ladder' or a little wider that fits between? Possibly hinged and semi permanent on ladder. It would bolt on as existing ladder does?

[Reddog1]

If I understand correctly, she could simply lay (evenly spaced) 4 or 5 ten-foot long 2x4s flat in the bed of the truck. Lower the TC on the 2x4s. This leaves about two feet of 2x4s behind the TC. put a piece of 3/4" (about 24"x 54") plywood (or equal) on top of the 2x4s. I would put about four screws on the outside 2x4s to hold the plywood in place. This allows for easy loading and unloading the 2x4s and plywood.

Wayne

[kohldad]

A picture would help, but let me explain a little that I can remember.

Stars101 runs a tailgate on her truck now and that sticks out about 4" past the camper. She is wanting to have a 2' porch beyond her current tailgate.

What I would do is make a platform that attaches to the existing tailgate latch points. Then add a chain from the top of the jacks to the end of the 2nd tailgate. You could even add a brace off the jack bracket so you could close the 2nd tailgate when in transit. Would be simple to have it fabbed up with some grate and angle iron, weight would be about 20 pounds.

[trailgranny50]

So your camper extends over all but the last 6"of the endgate, right? A cargo tray mounted to a receiver hitch extension, raised instead of lowered might be an answer. We don't run the endgate because our camper is longer and has the sewer drains coming out the bottom driver side end of camper. We hated all the scissor and folding steps, needed generator, fuel and water storage so the tray was best. Cut out the front rail and welded a fold up step on the outside edge and one at the back of the tray. Gives us three steps into camper and the steps are actually aligned with our offset camper door. For added stability we added Hapijac buttons to the bumper and Derringers as turnbuckles, one on each end to the tray ends. Works great. Gen set on left with 6 gal. Water and 5 gal gas on the right. Your camper door placement might be centered which would make the fit a bit different. I worried about snagging the extended tray on the ground on inclines as our tray comes straight out of the receiver but so far no problems in 15,000 miles. Good luck with a solution for you.

[tonymull]

I used a hitch carrier, one with square corners, and built a wooden box about 18" high to sit in it. Covered the top with a rubber mat and some metal trim. I can store my generator, gas, grill, screen tent and other odds and ends in it, and it makes a great little porch to step out onto. A chain and turnbuckle from each corner back to the jacks keeps it all from wiggling. To save weight the floor of the box, since it is sitting on the carrier anyway is just aluminum flashing.

[mkirsch]

The metal of a tailgate is pretty flimsy, so just but welding something to the edge is not going to be very strong. You'd have to do some major surgery to internally brace it.

Plus decent "junkyard" tailgates are tough to find. They're in high demand from people who smash theirs backing into stuff, or have had theirs stolen.

By the time all is said and done, you might be better off simply having a whole entire new tailgate fabricated. It doesn't have to be fancy, just something that fits in place of the OEM tailgate, is level with the bed floor, and extends out as far as you want. The whole thing could be expanded metal with the appropriate structure underneath.

Be aware that you are venturing into the realm of "it was never designed for this" with regards to the tailgate cables. The extra leverage of the longer/heavier porch could easily exceed the capacity of the cables and/or their mounts. Even if you extend an OEM tailgate. You might want to brace it to the receiver or the bumper in addition to the cables.

[Reddog1]

I have fabricated more than one porch for a TC. Using Unistrut, you can bolt it all together.

I am confused as to your objective. Do you want to extend your existing truck tailgate? I do not see how you could carry a TC on a 6.5-foot bed with the tailgate still on the truck. Even if you can, my bet is you will destroy the tailgate with rocks and such, in a pretty short period of time.

Some photos of your rig would really help us help you. I can see a couple of ways to put a porch on TC, without fastening it to your truck or TC.

[jimh406]

garbonz, I like that.