To tailgate or not to tailgate.....that is the question

[Jevy]

Hey everyone,

I'm in the middle of putting together a 416 trailer to pull behind my CJ7. I have mounted a top on it that is hinged from the passenger side. I am going to be putting a RTT on the top(actually just shipped today). I am just now beginning to wonder if I should consider cutting in a tailgate. Just wondering for those of you with a RTT do you have a tailgate or at times wish you had one? I'm at a loss for how I would secure the tailgate to prevent rattles/movement while going down the road. Any info is appreciated.

 

[60Dan]

Just got done doing this to my trailer, check it out:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/84303-Modifying-my-LV-416-Explorer

My motivation to do it was the same as the reasons you mentioned. I went with the plastic coated wire instead of chains to prevent rattling. Zero noises from the tail gate, plus you can add weather stripping which will fill any gaps and potential noises

I think its a worthwhile mod, especially if your running a RTT

edit: The metal my trailer is made from is a little thicker than the original M416 trailers, which made adding a tailgate a little easier

 

[Mark Harley]

I have a tailgate on my 101A2 Although nice it is anouther place to leak water in while traveling.
I would like a solid tub with a tilting lid.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

I agonized for a while on whether to cut in a tailgate or not.

I decided against doing it, since I can still open the lid even while the RTT is deployed.

And, since my table hangs off the back, instead of over the fender like some folks do, I can reach almost everything in the tub.

Things I cannot reach, I use a small stick to get them within reach. (but I try and put the action packers/coolers on the far side, so I can reach them easily)

Closed:

Open:

Table placement:

While I think a tailgate would be nice, and I know I could fab up a decent one, I just haven't been able to bring myself to do any permanent mods to the trailer.

As it sits now, everything could be easily reversed, and bring the trailer back to stock specs.

 

[toymaster]

I also have agonized over this topic. Went with no tailgate because it is "floatable" and it was more cost effective.:ylsmoke:

I have since come to the conclusion the convenience more than outweighs the floatable part. Let's face it; if I were in a situation where it needed to float I got bigger problems than some wet gear. It is on my list of "to do's" to make a tailgate in the same manner as Chris does. It should not be too hard to make it tight and have a seal so the trailer will still be weatherproof and possibly still floatable. Alas, I have many fabricating projects on my list and this is far down on the list. To many other things I want to do to my jeep. I would like to be able to pop open the tailgate to access my fridge and also have the additional table space. Even with my attachable table space is at a premium. What happens now when I go camping is the lid stays open while we are out and about the campsite and I only close it when going to bed. Mounting the RTT so you can still open the lid while the tent is deployed is only common sense.

 

[RAZORBACK]

Just say no

In almost 3 years of heavy use with my M416 I have never once, wanted or needed a tailgate. There is nothing in my trailer that I cannot lift out. I have an ARB fridge and an extra 37" Tire with wheel and other camping/hunting stuff.

Not to mention that the metal on the M416's are so thin, there is extensive fabrication to do it correctly and even then it doesn't seem worth it to me. A trailer that is so short and narrow does not benefit from "adding" a tailgate. Others will disagree.

I would suggest using it a few times and decide if you really want to hack up a good tub.

 

[60Dan]

There is nothing in my trailer that I cannot lift out...

I agree with you there 100%, but my roof top tent and lid probably weighs 200lbs plus. And while my gas struts dont have a problem holding all that weight up, physically opening the lid by my 5ft 125lb wife is impossible. Having a tailgate allows the wife and kids to access the trailer without me being there .... plus the added benefit that I can continue to relax and not keep getting up to open the lid.

Also forgot to mention ..... to the OP, are you planning on mounting an awning to the trailer?
I am, and its going to mount to the right side of the tub (where the lid opens). Opening the trailer with the awning deployed would be a royal pain in the ***!

Just some more food for thought :ylsmoke:

 

[RAZORBACK]

I agree with you there 100%, but my roof top tent and lid probably weighs 200lbs plus. And while my gas struts dont have a problem holding all that weight up, physically opening the lid by my 5ft 125lb wife is impossible. Having a tailgate allows the wife and kids to access the trailer without me being there .... plus the added benefit that I can continue to relax and not keep getting up to open the lid.

Also forgot to mention ..... to the OP, are you planning on mounting an awning to the trailer?
I am, and its going to mount to the right side of the tub (where the lid opens). Opening the trailer with the awning deployed would be a royal pain in the ***!

Just some more food for thought :ylsmoke:

That's why I take everything out of the trailer when I get to camp. I have another tent/kitchen that fully encloses a standard size picnic table that i put the food boxes and action packers in. I put the fridge in my annex. So there's no reason to open and close the trailer lid repeatedly. My 127lb. Fiancé can open my lid with ARB RTT with no problem...she does workout though and is very strong for her size. If I had kids, their stuff would either stay in the back of my Jeep or in their tent.

 

[goin camping]

I'm a fan of the tailgate.

It's a table, chair, cook shelf, wash shelf, bar, food prep area and on and on. The trailer floating is not an issue for us as we live and play in the desert and rivers are rare.

One poster earlier suggested camping a few times first before deciding. That is pretty good advice in my mind.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

Also forgot to mention ..... to the OP, are you planning on mounting an awning to the trailer?
I am, and its going to mount to the right side of the tub (where the lid opens). Opening the trailer with the awning deployed would be a royal pain in the ***!

Just some more food for thought :ylsmoke:

Also, if the RTT has an annex, when it is installed, you cannot lift the lid (the tent cannot fold with the way the annex attatches, at least not on my CVT)

I'm still figuring that one out, since I need more height to use the annex.

 

[kozaz]

I vote for a swing out tailgate vs. a drop tailgate, that is if you can fab one up. You could add a folding table to the back (Inside) of the swing out tailgate and have a work area. And if you are really creative, add a slide out table (or hangable table) on the the rear opening of the back of the trailer floor. This would give you to long work surface that would extend from the back of the trailer to the open swing out tailgate. I'll try and illustrate to the right. "Rear View with tailgate swing out, image tables on both." [__]{__]

 

[M35A2]

I am also not a fan of tailgates on M416s, as I already posted on your build thread.

But here's another reason: do you really see yourself crawling through that tiny opening to get stuff out from inside? Holy sore back, Batman!

 

[Jevy]

I have decided at this point to not do a tailgate. I'm going to wait until I get the tent mounted. If I can still get in it with the tent set up then I'll likely just leave it be. Thanks guys.

 

[60Dan]

Good decision. It's easier to add a tailgate later if you decide you want one, then to delete one later on