Does any know why the tailgates of 2008 and newer Super Duty tailgates were not designed to lay flat when opened like there predecessors and F150's? The support cables seem too short causing the tailgate to angle up slightly. My 2008 F250 has a 6.5' bed and I have an 8' slide in camper. I would like to leave the tailgate on and use its built in step for access to the camper. If I leave the tailgate on the camper will only be supported at 2 points, the front of the bed and end of the tailgate. With a camper weighing 1200 pounds if feel something is going to break.

 

Do you think that it is because of the step that your tailgate seems like it is up? Think about removing the handle mech since you wont be able to use it with your camper on and this might solve your problem. My dads 08 and his 11 the tailgates both lay down flat and he didnt get the step in either of them.

 

If not, go buy yourself some longer cables. On a personal not I would remove my tail gate in that situation. I wouldn't want all the rock chips in the tailgate

 

I realized my issue when I removed the handle and installed a standard flat inner panel. I hear what your saying Rollerstud98 about possible stone chips and appreciate the heads up. Any idea where I can find longer cables. I have searched some with no luck.

 

I noticed the tailgate on my truck doesn't lay flat either and I have the standard tailgate. I thought maybe the factory had cut my cables a tad short but all the newer SD's I've looked at are the same way. I hate the way it is because if I want to use my tailgate as a workbench everything is slanted upwards.

 

I just put a 12 tailgate on my 07 and it lays perfectly flat.

 

I would be afraid to haul 8' sheets of drywall in mine for fear they would crack. I have a 6' level and when laid from the back of the folded down tailgate into the bed there is about an 1-1/2" gap where it crosses the back edge of the bed.

 

This true from what I have seen of 07's and older. I believe this started when the body style was modified in 2008.

 

Just throwing this out there but is it possible you've got the cables hooked on the tailgate latches and not the actual posts for the cables?

 

I put a '13 tailgate on my '03 and it does not lay flat at all

 

I checked my dads '11 last night and his is flat. How bad is yours?

 

I would be afraid to haul 8' sheets of drywall in mine for fear they would crack. I have a 6' level and when laid from the back of the folded down tailgate into the bed there is about an 1-1/2" gap where it crosses the back edge of the bed.

 

Did you check where your cables are hooked up? I know I've accidentally hooked mine up in the wrong spot before. They are pretty close together.

 

I know the trick your talking about and that is not the case here.

 

i have a 2008-2012 on my 2002 and it lays flat.