5th Wheel Tailgate

[Schooner]

Thinking of looking into a 5th wheel tailgate for my 2009 GMC 2500 HD. What are the pros and cons of a 5th wheel tailgate? Would appreciate recommendations based on quality and cost. Thanks, Schooner.

[norty1]

I have always had one on both my TV's. I wouldn't be without it. Cost about $350 for a strong metal one. Only negative is if you want to install a bed cover, you can't lock the back. Never been a problem for me.

[Schooner]

Thanks norty1. I plan to start looking for one.

[Schooner]

I meant to add this to the last post. My 5th wheel hitch with slider was installed by the dealer and I believe they mounted it about 1-2" too far back because when in the maneuver position the hitch scraped the rubber off the inside top of the tailgate. I intend to talk to the dealer about this today.

[MHbell]

Originally Posted by Schooner

I meant to add this to the last post. My 5th wheel hitch with slider was installed by the dealer and I believe they mounted it about 1-2" too far back because when in the maneuver position the hitch scraped the rubber off the inside top of the tailgate. I intend to talk to the dealer about this today.

That happens with a lot of shortbed trucks. Another problem is some times when using the slider if you forget to put the tailgate down and take up the slack pull forward the slider often times will let the pin box slide back and hit the tailgate. I ruined a new tailgate once that way. The hitch should be installed so that the pin is over the axle or a little bit ahead of the axle. Sometimes that is not possible because of turning and the 5th wheel nose hitting the cab. My slider slides 10 inches to the rear when extended. I checked to make sure that it would not hit the tail gate when extended. I have a 6 1/2 ft bed.
Mel

[ldlogue]

I have mixed emotions about those t-gates. I high hitched my camper one time and if I had of had that t-gate it would have slid off hitch and probably did a lot of damage to camper and truck bed. As it was the t-gate caught it and it only bent the t-gate some.

Conversely they make a device to bolt on the hitch to prevent that so the verdict is still out. If I had of had one of the devices on mine it would have saved the t-gate.

[norty1]

I have the Blue Ox bed saver and I am a believer. Cheap insurance just in case.

http://www.blueox.us/Bedsaver/bedsaver.jpg

[Albertaguy]

I had the 5th wheel tailgate mounted on my 07 Dodge Ram and took it off when I got my 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 only to find they changed the body style and it won't fit the new truck. I only had it for about 2 years, plus a front bolt on hitch to carry my bikes. If anyone in the Calgary area needs these then give me a PM and I will let them go cheap. I don't want to go the E-bay route or that other site that I can't remember how to spell.

[norty1]

I had the same thing happen on my then new 06 Ford. I just let it go with the old truck.

[Gone Camping]

I like The looks of my tailgate.

[glazier]

Originally Posted by Gone Camping

I like The looks of my tailgate.Attachment 1323

X2 that is a great looking tailgate

[Fred Korz]

Schooner, I know this is too late to help, but I have the same problem. I have a Jayco Eagle Super Lite 29.5 RKS and a 2008 Chevy 2500HD. My REESE Pro Series 15K. My Jayco dealer
installed it according to specs and I find it hits my tailgate as well. When the slide is in the maneuver position the back of the pin box rubbed my tailgate top till it bent it out 1". The dealer claims no fault because he mounted it from the REESE data. REESE claims no fault
because it wasn't their hitch that hit my truck. No word from Jayco at all. But while at the dealers I notice all the new pin boxes have a 3" x 45 Deg. cut on that back corner now. I would not by another REESE hitch ever, and certainly would think twice about Jayco.

[edatlanta]

I like to keep things dry in my bed when not towing and having my tonneau unrolled. I can remember to open and close my OEM tailgate so I can keep things dry. Don't want a 5'th wheel tailgate at any price or configuration.
My 2 cents.

[SouthRider]

5th wheel tailgates were originally installed for clearance. Some were installed for fuel economy.

For those of you who have one - other than clearance are there any tangible benefits?

Have you found any legitimate increase in fuel economy to justify a $300-$400 tailgate?

[Myles6543]

I considered purchasing one, but I also like having my truck bed covered and lockable. My problem is that I have to hook up to the hitch straight on, or the corner of the tailgate will hit the camper in the down position. If I was traveling with the camper I would definatly buy one because I wouldn't need to haul stuff in the truck bed. We store our camper 300 miles from home and only pull it a mile to our campsight. When I retire I will have one.

[bigfoot]

I have one. It makes it easier to hook up. For me it's worth the $250. As always, YMMV.