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Re: new 250/350's (I'm assuming the Tailgates are the same) with the built in steps/hand rail?
Wondering how much heavier they are then without and are they still manageable for one person to wrestle on/off?
And is there a wire plug for the tailgate and can it be unplugged prior to removal as well?
Thanks
Not sure all the late models are the same, but. Mine is heavy! I have a couple of old injuries and disabilities so I may struggle a bit more than others with it but it is manageable. I have one wire for the camera to unplug.
Our truck’s tailgate has the built-in step and grab bar. IIRC, it weighs ~85 lbs.
The tailgate harness originally had three connectors located inside the frame behind the spare (see pic below), but after the “unintended tailgate opening” recall, it now has four, and it’s nothing less than a royalPIA to feed the harness and connectors through the guide port.
The connectors must be disconnected and the harness freed before the tailgate can be removed. Our truck’s tailgate sequence is as follows:
1. Open tailgate
2. Disconnect harness connectors and install dummy plugs
3. Feed harness and flying connectors through guide port
4. Remove tailgate
One of my sons or my wife helps me remove or reinstall the tailgate. However, I’m the one that slides under the truck to fiddle with the connectors.
The good news is removing the tailgate buys us ~85 lbs. more load capacity.
85 lbs sounds about right. Seems it 'feels' about the same as lifting two 40lb bags of wood pellets. I usually try to have have my wife help me with it, but she's not there all the time. I usually carry it over to, and place it on, a set of saw horses and cover it up with a tarp. Certainly a PIA. I take it the two extra wires the newest ones have are for extra cameras?
Thanks for the responses guys!!!
That harness does sound like a PITA, but I guess it's unavoidable.
Good tip on the dummy plugs, Jim. I assume that's to key crud out.
It occurred to me, weight wise, it may not differ from my all steel '98 GMC tailgate.
85 pounds sounds fine. Concern was having to unplug with the gate half down or off but balanced on one knee while trying to fiddle with wires.
I'm going to have to weight it sometime, seems to me it weighs more than 85lbs. I despise taking it on/off I'm considering setting my camper back a bit so Ii don't have to but probably won't be able to as the setback would be too much. May also make it work by re-working some of my plumbing.
Ps: put the tailgate down before you disconnect the harness. Probably obvious but made that mistake once... but just once.
I'm going to have to weight it sometime, seems to me it weighs more than 85lbs. I despise taking it on/off I'm considering setting my camper back a bit so Ii don't have to but probably won't be able to as the setback would be too much. May also make it work by re-working some of my plumbing.
Ps: put the tailgate down before you disconnect the harness. Probably obvious but made that mistake once... but just once.
Yeah, hadn't thought of that. Electric locks. Unplugged would be an issue if default is locked!
I'm just gonna enjoy a smoothly actuating handle. Broke my thumb a few years ago because it got stuck and I reefed on it like a gorilla......a dumb gorilla.....
Yeah, just drop the tailgate to the open position, then undo the connectors (and install the caps) and fish out the harness.
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
Thanks Jim. I'll see how big a PITA it is. Maybe, if there's room, a set of connectors could be cut in in a more accessible location negating crawling under and fishing in/out.
Got 5 requests for quotes out to various dealers. Fingers crossed.
I know this idea those with rear cameras would have no interest, but when we had a fifth wheel, we switched to a plastic fifth wheel tailgate. It is light enough to carry with one hand and either my wife or I can easily remove it. We just keep our oem tailgate stored. Our TC is off and on our truck a lot.
I usually wrestle mine off alone after putting some padding down on the bumper. I'd say it is roughly 85# if you have the cameras and tailgate steps. I can also confirm after the unintended tailgate fix it was a royal PITA to slide the connectors through. I am having my dealership add wire length so the connectors don't all line up next to each other. This next camping season I'm going to run a tailgate net and put a camera in that plastic piece under the tailgate. Seen another member on this forum accomplish this. That way I still have my backup camera for use.
I know this idea those with rear cameras would have no interest, but when we had a fifth wheel, we switched to a plastic fifth wheel tailgate. It is light enough to carry with one hand and either my wife or I can easily remove it. We just keep our oem tailgate stored. Our TC is off and on our truck a lot.
Steve
I may look into this, as our truck also has a rear facing camera in the CHMSL housing.
You will want help with your tailgate, cause you do not want a dent or scratch. I got a dent at the bottom of mine and it would cost $1350 to fix and paint just the outside of the tailgate.
