Tailgate

[2barmcattle]

Going to a calf show this past weekend. Not only did I get a speeding ticket for 62 in a 45 that was really a 55 ......another story some other time.

Anyway, I have never damaged my tailgate pulling a gooseneck stock trailer. Did it twice this past weekend. One side while loading and leaving for the show....and the other side while loading and coming home. Left the thing down both times and turned sharp - well you know the rest.

Anybody use those louvered 5th wheel tailgates??? Does that help save tailgates??? Looks to me like you wouldn't have to open the tailgate to hook up. Don't know if I will ever do it again but, since I have to replace my tailgate anyway...I thought I might get some opinions on the louvered gate.

Thanks, Kevin

 

[backhoeboogie]

My F350 has a F150 emblem on it :lol: :lol: :lol:

I didn't latch the G/N hauling hay. Since I was just going from one pasture to the next, I didn't bother with the safety chains. The tailgate was indeed closed, before I hit that terrace :shock: :shock:

I found an F150 tailgate that was the exact same color and fit off of eBay. $200 and I picked it up. I have the old F350 emblem off of the torn up tailgate but decided to just leave that F150 emblem as is. It is a conversation piece and it reminds me of being really stupid.

 

[cfpinz]

Yet another reason I love flatbeds. If it latches, why replace it? If it doesn't latch, get a barn door latch from the hardware store. Under 5 bucks.

 

[bigbull338]

yet another reason to take the tailgate off.that way you dont have to worry bout bashing it.

 

[skyline]

Seriously, here's some lessons I've learned. I had a summer helper taco the tailgate on my F-250 by backing into a tree. Hard...

Anyway, I bought one of those v-tail flowthrough louvered tailgates for about $300. Ordered from a local dealer off a picture in a catalog (first mistake). First off, I don't like the latch. It's got a cable system that doesn't work. You have to finger a little tab on each side of the gate to get it to unlatch. Also, the louvers are held in place by some vertical rods about 1/4" in diameter. The rods come unwelded and the louvers are made of such thin metal if you try to stand on it to get into the bed, you bend the louvers. Long story short, it's a piece of junk.

My advice, either go tailgateless, or find you one that is better made than the one I bought.

 

[gertguy]

Skyline i don't know what you are saying at first?

 

[skyline]

Sorry, lack of focus on my part. I was trying to say I had a summer helper mess up my tailgate. I bought a replacment tailgate and it stunk. Be careful what you buy.

 

[backhoeboogie]

My advice, either go tailgateless, or find you one that is better made than the one I bought.

I welded one out for a guy about two years back. He had done practically all the fabrication of the piece parts. I thought it looked terrible. He thought it looked great. His pins shut. He took the factory pegs off and used those mounts for his eye.

 

[2barmcattle]

Do the 5th wheel gates work well?? Can actually jack the gooseneck up and over the "V"?

 

[dun]

Do the 5th wheel gates work well?? Can actually jack the gooseneck up and over the "V"?

They do if you lift the GN high enough. I never did!

 

[TheBullLady]

lol Dun, that's what I was thinking too! :?