Louvered Tailgate

[dhart90]

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?

 

[Dogrunr]

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

 

[DonZinger]

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.

 

[sundancer 87]

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.

 

[ATCguy]

...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

 

[wildwest450]

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?

 

[Shemp]

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.

 

[wahoonc]

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.

Aaron

 

[Moto4play]

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!

 

[steveblonde]

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)

 

[MTK1946]

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.

 

[Wanderer-DUTCH]

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!

 

[ATCguy]

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.

 

[ATCguy]

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.

 

[sundancer 87]

It's Arizona, an hour and a half drive is cake. Also. the I10 shootings have ceased.

 

[arlan in arizona]

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

 

[RVNevada]

Tom, Good looking Truck, oh yea good looking Tailgate……. you going to Casa Grande this year?

 

[ATCguy]

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.

 

[RVNevada]

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

 

[hddecker]

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.