5th wheel tailgate

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Sep 30, 2004 | 10:23 AM

grtF250

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From: Utah

5th wheel tailgate

I want to build a 5th wheel style open tailgate for my 91 F250. I've looked a a bunch on line, they look good but they are a little pricy, I think I can make one out of some square tubing that I already have, and some expanded sheet metal.

My question is does anyone have dimensions for this type of tailgate. I can get most of my measurments off of the old stock gate. What I really need to know is how wide/deep is the center portion of the top peice should be.

Thanks for your input everyone

Sep 30, 2004 | 11:05 AM

fishmanndotcom

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From: Senoia, GA

dumb question i know.....but have you stopped by a trailer place near you? i am almost 100% sure they will let you take measurements.

also, if that is not an option measure your 5th wheel hitch (on the trailer) and you can get a pretty good idea of how wide....and for the depth i would just go about half way down the tail gate itself. just remember the lower the depth of the indention the less jacking you will have to do.

-cutts-

Sep 30, 2004 | 11:55 AM

grtF250

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From: Utah

Ya, I've thought about going to a trailer place but I don't know of any near by. I've also been keeping my eye out when I'm driving through parking lots. I was just figuring someone here has probably built there own and had all that info handy. AND possibly some advice on what to/not to do.

Thanks for the idea, it wasn't a dumb question. I've been known to forget about simple ideas like that a lot.

Oct 6, 2004 | 03:31 PM

boody101

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From: milton, ks.

5th wheel gate

Here are some pictures of one that I built. If this is what you have in mind, let me know and I'll send you some dimesions and measurments.

Gordo

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=10382

Oct 6, 2004 | 03:37 PM

grtF250

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From: Utah

Thanks for the reply. I measured 2 or 3 in the walmart parking lot one morning and it looks like about 1/2 way down is what the drop should be. So I Think i've figured out that part. I am curious to know what size/ guage steel you used. and lastly what did you use for latches?

Oct 6, 2004 | 04:02 PM

boody101

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From: milton, ks.

As far as the center drop is concered, 7" is ideal. If your backing into the fifth wheel pin and the pin is lower than that, your going to hit the siderails on the bed anyway. You can make the width of the opening as wide as you want. The square tubing that I used is about as thin as I could find. I didn't intend it to be terribily strong, but is is much stronger then I thought it would be.
I made the latch units out of pipe. They fit over the latch posts for the OEM gate. I split some of the same pipe and widened it to make a barrel bolt type lock.
I used some differant sized pipe to make the gate hinges. one size has a cut-out portion like the orig. gate so it's easy to take off and on. Found some junkyard cables
and tapped the old attaching bolts I got with used cables into the side of the gate.
I'd be happy to send you some pictures if you want. I think it would be easier then trying to explain it.

Oct 7, 2004 | 09:02 AM

grtF250

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From: Utah

Thanks for the reply I'll keep the 7" in mind this weekend I think I had designed mine a little deeper then that. For the gate I picked up some used 1.1/2" .060 wall square tubing. I'd wanted to build it out of 2" but it was way too expensive so this will have to work. I've thought about building a latch like you described (I think) but I have the stock latching mechinisms off my old gate I thought i'd try to reuse them if possible first.

So thanks for the information, and if my stock latch idea doesn't work out I'll be asking for details on your design. Thanks

Ryan