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I've recently purchased a 5th wheel camper. I'm considering getting the 5th wheel tailgate. Does it actaully help any with fuel mileage like some company's claim? What is everyone running here (pics if you have them)? Anf does anyone know of one that may come with a camera like mine currently has? Thanks for the help
Mesh tailgates, driving with the tailgate down, or removing the tailgate altogether will reduce fuel economy. You can literally google "fuel economy tailgate" and read for hours on the various physics involved that explain why tailgate up is the way to go. Companies that claim otherwise are in an outright lie, as this has been common knowledge for a very, very long time. There may be other benefits to a 5er tailgate, but fuel economy is not among them.
I agree with everyone who says mesh tailgates, no tailgates, lowered tailgates and tonneau cover lower fuel economy. Plenty of research to backup these statements.
Dont care one way or the other about fuel milage. The ease of backing under the 5th, the in and out if the truck to raise and lower the gate and not having to worry about putting the gate through the camper because i have to come in at an angle makes the 5th wheel gate so awesome.
I don't care about the mileage either, but it is much easier using a fifth wheel tailgate. The original tailgate is so tall now that when it's lowered to back up to the fifth wheel, you almost have to be perfectly in line with the camper or the tailgate can crash into the front of camper. With a 5'er gate you can attach and hookup at almost any angle. Yes you lose the backup camera in the tailgate but it is worthless anyhow when the tailgate is down for hookup. Just my .02 cents. Have a good one.
The OP mentioned fuel mileage. But if the purpose of getting a 5th wheel tailgate is for ease of hookup, I can completely see the benefit from that standpoint.
I'm going to get one just because the original tailgate is so heavy and such a pain with the 4 connectors to take on and off to load my camper. I tow two different gooseneck trailers but for me the only reason is for the truck camper. I can't put it on and off by myself and hate having to need a 2nd person.
I would not be with out this tail gate, i have been towing a fiver for 37 years , i have always had a fifth wheel tailgate
What tailgate is that? I've been looking and gave up when I couldn't find one made of metal. I had ordered one from CARID but
after waiting almost 3 weeks I contacted them and was told the supplier didn't make that tailgate for Ford. WTF!!! It was on their
website and they took my money and never said a word.
The composit/plastic ones recommend not standing on them. What good is a tailgate if you can't stand on it????
Anyway I see Custom Flow does have a metal tailgate that fits my truck so I think I will order one. Mostly because I had a
brain fart and borked my tailgate on the pinbox. The 5th wheel hitch is cheaper that OEM replacement and I have a better
chance of not borking it.
What tailgate is that? I've been looking and gave up when I couldn't find one made of metal. I had ordered one from CARID but
after waiting almost 3 weeks I contacted them and was told the supplier didn't make that tailgate for Ford. WTF!!! It was on their
website and they took my money and never said a word.
The composit/plastic ones recommend not standing on them. What good is a tailgate if you can't stand on it????
Anyway I see Custom Flow does have a metal tailgate that fits my truck so I think I will order one. Mostly because I had a
brain fart and borked my tailgate on the pinbox. The 5th wheel hitch is cheaper that OEM replacement and I have a better
chance of not borking it.
Hey Jordan, I went with a "Custom Flow" tail gate for my F250XL. I striped the camera from OEM tail gate and fabed it into the ID light block off plate. hooked into harness, works great. ----
I would not be with out this tail gate, i have been towing a fiver for 37 years , i have always had a fifth wheel tailgate
what year is your truck and what and where did you get your tailgate? I’ve got a 2022 F350 DRW and have been looking for a 5th wheel Stromberg Carlson tailgate, every place I’ve looked said they won’t fit or not confirmed to fit a 2022.
Mostly because I had a
brain fart and borked my tailgate on the pinbox. The 5th wheel hitch is cheaper that OEM replacement and I have a better
chance of not borking it.
This is why most people have a 5th wheel tailgate today now that the fad has passed. I always leaned toward the OEM tailgate and a secure hard tonneau cover to help secure things like bikes in my bed wile camping and sightseeing.
