You could see if they would be able to just move the factory tailgate step down and intergrade it as part od the bottom notch


just a thought


but yes I like the tailgate step option,

 

Have plastic Stromberg Carlson. No impact on mileage. Like it because at times I have hitched on a angle great enough that I would have hit front of fiver with regular tailgate down.

Kind of like a broken record here. Plastic is weak, will only handle 100 pounds. I do find it makes hitching easier. Not a necessity, but glad I have one. Bought plastic only because my distributor did not carry anything in metal. Wholesale price was the determinate there, but wish I would have bought metal. When I get a chance I likely will weld one up myself, but I really like the look of the modded OEM tailgate above. I have thought about that, but my body skills are not that good.

Teamford, how much about did that cost?

Steve

 

I don't think the step would work from the bottom of the tailgate by the way it is designed. You step from it onto the tailgate.

 

it cost more that a aftermarket butr we keep our trucks for 12 -15 year so it worth it to use


it cost around 2000

 

I did the same thing to my 79 and 81 F250s, I did it myself with some 1/8 stock and a little gas welding and body filler. I used barrel bolts on both sides to hold the gate. I didn't have the heart to do it to my 91, 00 and 13.

Denny

 

I'd like to see the top part of the tailgate, slip back into the opening when not towing.
Seems like something's missing...oh, there is?
Just a few surface connectors on the inside and who know's?

I take it, the latch is mounted lower on the tailgate, from the inside?

 

I was told a long time ago there are two types of people that tow 5th wheels. Ones that have hit there tailgate, and those who haven't YET hit there tailgate. I am in the 1st category, took 4 years to get there

 

I thought that was the rule about dropping the fiver on the bed rails. !

Steve

 

Well, that too might dent the tailgate and thus, qualify.

 

Hit my tailgate the first week of ownership. New tailgate and haven't done it since. 10 years on the 05 and never did it. The proverb must be true. You read it on the internet.

 

I, too, am in the first group. That was 15 years ago.

 

I've posted these pics previously but they seem appropriate to this discussion.
First one shows its possible to miss the tailgate, the second one shows (custom fabbed locally) what experience (and convenience) led me to.

 

I have never damaged my rails; but I have had the FW drop down to them.

 

I use a Custom Flow VEL28 5th Wheel Custom Tailgate along with an insert all summer. It is a steel version, will hold my 200# plus weight though I do carry a piece of scrap plywood to spread the load and cover either that gap or the insert fasteners (they hurt when crawling aboard) when the hitch is out and/or I have a tonneau cover on the bed. As far as helping fuel mileage - I for sure haven't seen any help though am currently sitting at 12.6 on the lie-o-meter after about 3K miles of mostly tow and some tour these past 10 days. Then there's the fact that I also dinged the tailgate on my '06 in '13 after 35 years of 5ers

 

My original tailgate rusted out so I just removed it. If anything is loose in the bed and I have the fifth wheel hooked up that stuff will fly out. I'm on the lookout for a louvered tailgate.