I just bought a 2000 ford f250 7.3, iam trying to find a tailgate for my truck to use with a 5th wheel. However i dont want the lovered tailgates, I would like to find out if there is one made that looks like the original tailgate except with a notch in it for the trailer. Can anyone help me on where to find it?

 

Welcome to FTE redneck!

My father just bought an 04 F250, and we were looking for the same thing. Unfortunately, we have not had any luck finding a solid gate, and no one I spoke with has ever seen one. He also doesn't want the net gate, so he is stuck opening the tailgate, backing under the tongue, then letting it back up and backing up more.

If you happen to ever run across one, please remember to post it, and I'll do the same!

 

sure thing and thanks

 

I'm sure I'll never be able to find it again, now that someone is looking for it, but I saw just what you guys want in one of the members galleries right here on FTE. I think it was a blue f250 with stacks behind the cab (like a semi truck) and the tailgate had a V cut out for a gooseneck. I think it was a custom job, sure looked nice. I'll try to look out for it, take a look thru the galleries too, you just might find it.

 

Thanks, at least now I know someone else has seen it somewhere.

 

I saw one just yesterday that appeared to be one of the louvered tailgates but with the stock tailgate "skin" on it. It had the notch in the top

 

Check out this thread. It has the tailgate that was referred to.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=143487

 

That's the one I was thinking of also. He did a nice job on it but had something inexpensive to start with and apparently some skills.

The louvered tailgate does have a purpose beyond the V-notch. On a trip to Colorado (from MN) a couple years ago we fought a 17-25 mph headwind all the way down! It was killing me ... like trying to pull a camper 75-80 mph! In western KS I finally got disgusted and hit an exit ramp, pulled off the tailgate, laid it flat in the truck bed behind the hitch and strapped it down with some ratchet straps I always carry.

Nothing else had changed in the few minutes it took me to do this but when I jumped back on I-70 ... and into the hellish headwind ... I picked up at least 3 mph. My tailgate now stays home when I travel!

I'd been told that the tailgate formed an "air bubble" between the cab and camper that diverted the air flow. BS!

I've looked at the louvered ones, wondering if the "open-ness" really makes as much difference as no gate at all. Now it seems no one makes one for the older (pre-87) trucks, but then would I spend a couple hundred for something like that anyway . I like to have something on the back when we're "touring" solo but for now I'm thinking about a net ... even though they look a little "cheesey".