Driving with tailgate down/open

[doctorit]

Our TC650 obviously doesn't rest on the tailgate of our recently acquired F250, but since it has the built-in step, I went ahead and left it on for the nearby camping trip we took this weekend. We actually really enjoyed having a "porch" to the camper, and the built in step is much better than the step-stool or hitch-mounted step we'd used last year.

So my question is this: anyone else do this? We're not offroading, so the extra length/weight isn't an issue. And, as of now, we're not towing anything either. I wonder if there's any good solutions to locking the tailgate down/open... to keep it from bouncing while driving. I looped a ratcheting tie-down underneath my hitch receiver. It worked, but definitely penny-tech and not very good-looking.

 

[brian90744]

I recommend scissor steps at 36" like=

 

[bob91yj]

Not sure about Ford's, but on GM's there is a "sweet spot" in the passenger side hinge that allows the tailgate to be removed, hit a bump just right and the tailgate can be left dangling by the cables.

 

[doctorit]

Scissor steps: yup, they're nice, I'm familiar with them.

Bob: that's exactly why I'm asking! There must be a mod or solution out there somewhere to keep the open tailgate in place... Again, that "front porch" feature is so nice! On the Ford, it's almost halfway open, so my tie-down would have to fail completely and we'd have to hit a really big bump.

 

[Just Jeff]

Some folks have complained about rocks chipping the tailgate when they drive with it down. I wonder if you could use a hitch-mounted cargo carrier below the tailgate to keep a lot of the rocks popping up off the road from hitting the tailgate. That might interfere with your steps, though.

 

[bob91yj]

I get the tailgate down/front porch thing. My camper is actually made for a Ford Ranger, so I can close the tailgate when travelling.

 

[doctorit]

Sweet truck, Bob! I was hoping I could close the gate on the F250 too, since it's a few inches longer than the F150, but, no go.

I think I found a really easy solution:

1) tailgate lock, to make sure it can't come off

paired with,
2) lift assist kit, where I replace the strut with a solid rod, to keep the gate from bouncing over bumps (and banging on the camper)

And when we're not using the camper, the strut assist will swap back in minutes. That F250 gate with the built in step/handle is HEAVY!

 

[ensworth]

I use a fifth wheel tailgate on my Dodge ram and a hawk. It sits on the tailgate a couple of inches so using anything to hold it down is unnecessary. I know pictures I can't find them just now i will try later.

 

[doctorit]

The hawk sits on the tailgate? My TC650 is wholly in the bed, so it doesn't hold the gate down at all. I guess, I'm not sure what you mean. The only fifth-wheel tailgate I'm familiar with is nothing more than a tailgate replacement with a center cutout:

 

[drifter_r6]

This looks like it will work to support the tailgate and keep it locked in the down position: tailgate support

 

[doctorit]

This looks like it will work to support the tailgate and keep it locked in the down position: tailgate support

Simple, and nicely done. Thanks!

 

[1stDeuce]

IMO, you're "fixing" a problem that doesn't exist... In my experience of a LOT of driving with the tailgate down, it'll only "bounce" if the truck bounces, as in off the ground, not just driving over a bump... To do that, you'd have beat the HELL out of the truck, and if you're doing that with a Bronco camper in the back, you're going to have Bronco kindling pretty quickly...

Wait, on a little reflection before hitting post, I'll back off a little... If your Ford has one of those tailgates with spring assist so little ladies and old people can close it with one finger, then I could see it floating up on occasion, but still not in normal driving with a camper in the back...

Have you seen it move, or are you just assuming that it does? My guess is that it doesn't go anywhere.

On another subject, you really like the tailgate as a porch? I thought of the same, but was worried I'd fall off trying to open or close the door, or not paying attention. The camper I ended up with is longer than my box and tailgate, so it ended up not being and issue for me, I'm just curious.
Chris

 

[doctorit]

Well, Chris, don't hold back!

No, the Ford doesn't have a spring assist. And, yes, I have heard the gate bounce up and down, pretty forcibly over some bigger bumps. Do I have proof? No. But if there's easy fixes (which there is, we now know), I'd rather not worry about it banging into the camper or as has been pointed out, falling off the truck.

As for the "porch", we've camped like this twice now and we definitely like it better than having to climb up a rickety little step stool straight into the camper. Works for us.

 

[ensworth]

Fifth wheel tailgate

Hawk with my tailgate, the cutout in the center works great for access through the door, it works great as a table.

 

[1stDeuce]

Well, Chris, don't hold back!

No, the Ford doesn't have a spring assist. And, yes, I have heard the gate bounce up and down, pretty forcibly over some bigger bumps. Do I have proof? No. But if there's easy fixes (which there is, we now know), I'd rather not worry about it banging into the camper or as has been pointed out, falling off the truck.

As for the "porch", we've camped like this twice now and we definitely like it better than having to climb up a rickety little step stool straight into the camper. Works for us.

Oops, sorry to come off as an *****. I just meant that with a camper in the back, I don't think you need to worry about it... But you can, and there are solutions that will end your worry. Thanks for the feedback on the tailgate "porch". I always wondered about it.