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Old 01-14-2015, 11:04 PM   #1
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Louvered Tailgate

What is everyone thoughts on these tailgates? Do they save gas? cut down on the wind that blows around in bed of truck? Are they worth the money?
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Old 01-15-2015, 01:10 AM   #2
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I had one for my last truck. I suppose it saved some fuel as the louvered tailgate was much lighter than the stock tailgate. What I really liked about a 5th wheel tailgate was the lower middle section that made hooking up easier since I didn't have to open and close the tailgate.


Don't have one for the new truck as I like having the back-up camera.


Mark
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Old 01-15-2015, 08:16 AM   #3
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I agree with lower center section being very convenient - I have watched people have to lower their tailgate to connect and disconnect, not a big deal but inconvenient and especially with a shortbed truck you have to really watch for the tailgate hitting the front of the 5er - I don't know about the difference in mileage as I have never towed without one - was given to me as a gift when we bought our first camper.
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Old 01-15-2015, 01:46 PM   #4
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I need my full tailgate so I can climb into the back of the truck. If I had one of those ventilated open middle tailgates I would no doubt fall through the opening.
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Old 01-15-2015, 02:25 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogrunr View Post
...Don't have one for the new truck as I like having the back-up camera.
I've been debating getting one of these for my F-450, but I had the same camera issue concerns.

As it turns out, Husky now makes one that will accept the camera:

Husky Liners Truck Bed Accessories for Ford F-450 Super Duty 2014 - HL15130-38


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Old 01-15-2015, 02:35 PM   #6
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I don't know much about the louvered ones, but it's fairly common here to see people driving around with their tailgates down. I just shake my head in amazement. I did read that the louvered ones cause more wind resistance, although who cares about mileage when your towing a 15,000lb trailer?
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Old 01-15-2015, 05:33 PM   #7
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This one has been tested by the mythbusters. The most efficient gas milliage is obtained when you drive with the standard tailgate installed and up (not down). Purchasing a louvered gate will help hooking up a 5th wheel but not with gas millage. Check out. Driving With Tailgate Up Is Fuel Efficient | MythBusters | Discovery for explaination.
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Old 01-16-2015, 01:25 AM   #8
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Consumer Reports did a thing on tailgates years ago, and the most efficient method was a hard tonneau cover, followed by the stock tail gate in the up position. Don't recall the percentage of differences, but it wasn't a massive number.

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Old 01-16-2015, 11:24 AM   #9
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This is coming from experience! You can spend THOUSANDS trying to save pennies!
I don't think you could own the truck long enough to get your return on investment. If you are not doing it for convenience and accept any savings, I don't think it is worth it. You would be better off taking the cost of the Tailgate and put it in a interest savings account and use the earnings towards your fuel. lol

Just my two cents!
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Old 02-25-2015, 04:45 PM   #10
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i use the factory tailgate for a couple reasons
1 its locks so i can keep stuff in the box
2 the camera - but the Husky unit allows for the factory camera
3 i have a bakflip folding cover which covers up my 5th wheel unit when not in use (and just folds up when im towing)
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Old 02-25-2015, 08:01 PM   #11
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I use the stock tailgate. As mine is a 4x4 and I'm getting older the tailgate step is great for getting into & out of the bed. As wife has a horse we also use our truck as a truck & not just a RV tower.
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Old 02-26-2015, 11:41 PM   #12
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I don't know about other brands but the Ford is designed to direct airflow correctly with a stock tailgate. I watched a video on YouTube once which really demonstrated this.
I also have a step in mine which is great for my worn out knees!
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Old 09-22-2015, 09:07 PM   #13
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Decided to pull the trigger, and replace my stock tailgate with the Husky Liners model...






I didn't do it for any potential fuel savings though. As I'm fulltiming now, I simply got tired of opening & closing the gate every time I hitch/unhitch. I've almost forgot to open it twice before backing up to hitch, and almost forgot to close it after hitching once... so I knew it'd be just a matter of time.

I also bought the rear camera mount, but haven't installed it yet. I'm going to have the tailgate powdercoated to match the truck before I do.
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Old 09-23-2015, 12:58 AM   #14
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Found out that the nearest place to have it powdercoated is an hour & half away... and since I'm not sure when I'll drive down there, I went ahead and installed the camera. Pretty much painless, just some busy-work. I'm just happy that it all works as advertised.
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Old 09-23-2015, 01:03 AM   #15
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It's Arizona, an hour and a half drive is cake. Also. the I10 shootings have ceased.
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Old 09-23-2015, 02:02 AM   #16
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Tom,

That is a good looking louvered tailgate. I had one on by Dodge at one time (it got stolen). And I loved it even when I wasn't towing. Made things so much easier when backing up. I now have the rear camera on the Ford of course. But the drop in that tail gate was great. Good decision.

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Old 09-23-2015, 02:43 AM   #17
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Tom, Good looking Truck, oh yea good looking Tailgate……. you going to Casa Grande this year?
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Old 09-23-2015, 03:06 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by RVNevada View Post
Tom, Good looking Truck, oh yea good looking Tailgate……. you going to Casa Grande this year?
Thanks...

Not sure about Casa Grande. I've spent the last 2 winters in the Phoenix area, and I've about explored all of that area on the Goldwing... so I may just stay right where I'm at here in Bullhead City. I'm right on the AZ-NV-CA border, so lots of new places to ride.

The place I'm at isn't a "resort" like the place in CG (no golf course, billiards room, etc.), but it's nice & quiet, clean, and my monthly rate is about a ⅓ of what it was in CG.
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Old 09-23-2015, 03:42 PM   #19
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Tom, I was thinking the same as you, may go to Texas this time, but stop in C.G. to visit some friends on the way
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Old 09-23-2015, 03:47 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arlan in arizona View Post
Tom,

That is a good looking louvered tailgate. I had one on by Dodge at one time (it got stolen). And I loved it even when I wasn't towing. Made things so much easier when backing up. I now have the rear camera on the Ford of course. But the drop in that tail gate was great. Good decision.

Arlan
It's so easy to lift a tailgate off now, and I've heard of several walking away in the middle of the night.

I was looking for something to make my tailgate a little less atractive. I thought what do these scumbags look for when they are out using their Midnight Auto Parts credit card. A soft target, how do I harden it up. Lock it all the time. Only problem the one time I don't lock is the time it will walk away.

Got it, I'll put a hose clamp around the half pivot and make it as hard as I can to get to the worm gear. Now if someone really wants my tailgate they will have to work to get it.
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