5th wheel tailgate: Complete Buyers Guide
Replacing the stock tailgate with a custom one will help reduce the overall drag of your vehicle, it greatly enhances your truck’s fuel efficiency. If you decide to go for a louvered design when choosing your tailgate, it will result in half the weight with minimal impact on usability.
Always prefer to get a 5th wheel tailgate which is made out of metal as plastic tends to break fairly easily. Also, it’s important to consider that the weight of your tailgate is just right’. If the tailgate is too heavy, you will find it difficult to use it on a day-to-day basis. And if it is too light in weight, it can easily bend out of shape when you are loading your cargo. Ideally, a tailgate should be able to handle the weight of an average person without bending.
Video Overview: You’re ILLEGALLY towing your Fifth Wheel and RVs! Must watch!
Installing the 5th wheel tailgate is a lot easier than you’d think. You do not have to be a professional for this installation. It takes between 10-30 minutes to install/replace a new tailgate.
You can get these in various colors and in powder-coated or painted variants. You can buy a different colored 5th wheel tailgate and paint it to match the color of your truck. But you’ll save a lot
of hassle if it already matches your truck’s color.
Make sure to inquire if the replacement 5th wheel tailgate needs a new hinge or if it can be installed in the existing hinge on your truck. In case you require a different hinge, you’ll need to get
additional welding and work done. This will also result in a less-than-perfect looking installation.
You also need to keep in mind that tailgate theft is fairly common across the United States. Make sure that the lock in your existing tailgate works as intended. When you buy a replacement
tailgate, it is always better to opt for a one with a lock and an extra set of keys.
Video Overview: Finding a 5th Wheel Tailgate with Backup camera
The reason why tailgate theft is so common is that the company provided tailgates fetch a fairly high price on the black market, this can go up to $1500 USD. Even the replacement ones are
prone to theft, though a lot cheaper than the OEM ones, spare yourself any surprises and get one with a built-in lock.
Custom Flow and Stromberg Carlson are easily the most-renowned 5th wheel tailgate manufacturers in the United States of America. If you take a look at their product reviews on Amazon, you will find that they check out all the factors we discussed in this article.
Video Overview: Improved my Fifth Wheel in 10mins!
Now that you are aware of all the things to keep in mind while buying a 5th wheel tailgate, here are the 3 highest-rated 5th wheel tailgates available on Amazon. These are based on customer reviews.
Check them out in the links below. Amazon provides an easy to use tool which can be used to enter the model and make of your truck. This allows you to get the right model in the correct size for your vehicle.
Stromberg Carlson VGD-10-4000 Louvered Tailgate
Key Features:
- Glass-filled composite resin
- The gate can be painted
- Rotary Latches
- Key locks gate onto the truck
Stromberg Carlson VG-97-100-Vented Tailgate
Key Features:
- All-steel construction
- Open design improves vision
- Custom-fitted
- 100 lb. weight capacity
- Fits F250 and F350 Super Duty, 1999-2016
Fifth wheel tailgate with backup camera
Key Features:
- Allows you to mount your factory backup camera to your new or existing Husky Aluminum Fifth Wheel Tailgate
- Factory finish look
- Protects factory backup cameras
- Durable, UV resistant construction
- Easy installation, Designed and manufactured in the USA
Video Overview: 5th Wheel Travel Trailer. Installing A Rear-View Camera.
Custom Flow CF Insert 2 Tailgate Insert
Key Features:
- TAILGATE INSERT
Related Post: 45 RV Accessory Must-Haves for Your Travel Trailer
Related Questions:
Do I need 5th wheel tailgate?
There are many different reasons why people are investing in a 5th wheel tailgate. However, one of the primary purposes of owning a 5th wheel tailgate is to give drivers the capability to hook up their fifth-wheel trailers without having to lower the tailgate. Also, since this is a common mistake that drivers during hookups, they help in the prevention of mistakenly pulling off the tailgate of the truck.
What is a louvered tailgate for?
A louvered tailgate can be described as a notch that is removed from the tailgate. It is the angled slats that help in managing the flow of the air while someone is towing instead of the solid metal sheets.
How much does it cost to replace a truck tailgate?
The price of a truck tailgate usually varies based on a number of different factors. Therefore, the price can range from several hundred dollars to as much as $3,600 and more. For instance, if you want to add a backup camera or other accessories, you can expect to pay more. To replace a tailgate, the average price is about $1,200.
Video Overview: Making a tailgate for the beast
Do louvered tailgates work?
Louvered tailgates are designed to help the driver avoid commonly known routine and mundane mistakes. Since the driver may forget to lower their tailgate, the tailgate can be completely destroyed. On the other hand, if the truck has a louvered tailgate, it helps to save money and time.
Do louvered tailgates improve gas mileage?
The louvered tailgate is also great for truckers who want to save gas on every trip that they make. Because of the lightweight materials that they are made of, they reduce the number of pounds towed. For instance, with the efficiency of the louvered tailgate, the gas mileage can decrease from 22.3 mpg to 21.5 mpg. Therefore, if you are traveling several hundred miles away to get to your destination, the savings can be quite substantial over an extended period of time. This is especially the case if you are using your tailgate regularly to tow for others or for your business needs.
