Fifth wheel tailgate - F-150

[Tom and Sharon]

Picked up our 5.0TA this week -- fun commences...

We want to replace the stock tailgate with one with the '5th wheel notch' -- and hopefully lighter. Any suggestions/experiences?

[Brian B-P]

Tailgates keep getting more complex, and pickup bodies change more frequently than they once did, so it must be getting harder for the aftermarket tailgate makers to keep up. Since few people tow fifth-wheels with an F-150 (because most fifth-wheel trailers are too heavy for it), I wouldn't expect much selection.

I was curious, so I checked the first few manufacturers I found:

• Husky Liners - not for 2016 F-150
• Advance Manufacturing - for F-150, but only up to 2014
• Handy - for F-150, but only up to 2014

The good news:

1. The Stromberg Carlson 100 Series tailgate will fit the 2015-2016 F-150 (according to the catalog).
2. The catalog from Go Industries lists the 2015-2016 F-150; however, it doesn't show part numbers for this truck, and says to call them.

I have no experience with this type of tailgate. I have heard that current trucks are getting tailgates with spring or gas strut assists; given my experience with our old Chevy pickup, I would not want to give up that feature to get a lighter or louvered tailgate. Some tailgates have backup cameras, which should be considered (Stromberg Carlson has a mounting bracket to hold a camera), and some even have folding steps (not likely to get that in an aftermarket fifth-wheel tailgate).

[Donna D.]

I have a folding BakFlip G2 Tonneau cover, so I'm keeping the locking tailgate on my F-150. Yes it's inconvenient to put it back up before the trailer is thoroughly locked in place and yes it's inconvenient and a PITA that there's only 1-1/2 - 2 inches for the tailgate to go down before hitting the trailer... and the trailer had better be straight! But I spend more time unhooked than hooked and I like both the locking tailgate and tonneau cover for those other times. YMMV

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by tsherrard

Picked up our 5.0TA this week -- fun commences...

We want to replace the stock tailgate with one with the '5th wheel notch' -- and hopefully lighter. Any suggestions/experiences?

I had a Stromberg Carlson On my 2012 F150. My experience: you cannot stand on it and you lose the truck's back-up camera. But you don't have to play the drop and raise the tailgate when hooking up. Everything is a compromise. While I liked the 5th wheel tailgate when hooking up, I found the advantages of having the back-up camera when not towing far outweighed the momentary convenience provided when hooking up the trailer. And unlike the OEM tailgate, the Stromberg Carlson is not easily removed; you cannot just pop it out. When I bought my new F150, I chose NOT to install a 5th wheel tailgate. Anyway, my experience/thoughts, for what it's worth.

[emers382]

I had considered getting one of these for our 2010 F150 but never did, now with the 2015 with the back up camera I would not even consider it. When going south we usually are at one place for at least a week so the inconvenience of dropping teen raising the tailgate is not a problem. I plan on getting a tonneau cover as well.

Adrian

[padlin]

Like Donna I like to be able to lock the tailgate although they do make a 5th wheel one with a locking insert. If I wreck the $1000 original I'll consider one.

[Tford]

I've kept my regular tailgate, but I've bought one of these tailgate torsion bars for every truck I've had. Easiest install ever and tailgate lifts with a finger...

https://www.etrailer.com/Tailgate/Hopkins/74211.html

[gingerh]

I'm like several of the other posters. I do not find it any trouble at all to raise/lower the tailgate when hooking or unhooking. If I'm camping somewhere without electric,
I may take my generator and I keep that locked in the back of the truck. That convince out weighs a fifth wheel tailgate.

Are you the folks from Kirkland who looked at my 5th wheel? If so, thanks for the referral.

Ginger

[padlin]

Here's an interesting FW tailgate, locks and has an optional mount for your factory camera, sharp looking too. I plugged in a 2012 F150 for the example.

Don't know if the cutout size would stop someone from climbing in and stealing a generator, I know I wouldn't fit.

https://www.huskyliners.com/Aluminum...012/ford/f-150

[C&G in FL]

That's a total of $680 for the convenience of not having to lower/raise the tailgate when hooking up and you still cannot step or stand on it when it is down. Think I'll pass on that one!

[padlin]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

That's a total of $680 for the convenience of not having to lower/raise the tailgate when hooking up and you still cannot step or stand on it when it is down. Think I'll pass on that one!

Cheaper then replacing the $2000 original, not that I'm getting it either.

[C&G in FL]

I agreetotally Bob. Hopefully, nobody finds themselves in need of replacing a tailgate!

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by padlin

Here's an interesting FW tailgate, locks and has an optional mount for your factory camera, sharp looking too. I plugged in a 2012 F150 for the example.
...
https://www.huskyliners.com/Aluminum...012/ford/f-150

That's one I listed earlier - not yet available for the 2015 or newer F-150.

Originally Posted by padlin

Cheaper then replacing the $2000 original, not that I'm getting it either.

I wonder if the fancy new aluminum F-150 tailgate is even more expensive?

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

I wonder if the fancy new aluminum F-150 tailgate is even more expensive?

It's not bad - at least the part price. The assembly that includes the step runs $682 USD on the Ford OEM site. But, that's unfinished, and they won't ship it. So, you have to get it from a dealer, and of course, the inevitable 30% or more mark up. When all is said and done, you could expect to pay about $1200 USD.

[emers382]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

It's not bad - at least the part price. The assembly that includes the step runs $682 USD on the Ford OEM site. But, that's unfinished, and they won't ship it. So, you have to get it from a dealer, and of course, the inevitable 30% or more mark up. When all is said and done, you could expect to pay about $1200 USD.

Oh great I had better take good care of my tailgate then I have the step and thought it was pricey as a 400$ option. Now I am still investigating how to get my fifth wheel rails installed in the aluminum box

Adrian