I'm scheduled to have a truck camper Happy Jack tie down system and 5th wheel hitch both installed on Thursday. The Happy Jack system is for holding a 'truck camper' in the bed of the truck.

As you may know, in order for a truck camper to be loaded into a truck bed, the 'tailgate' must be removed. There-in lies the problem. I cannot find a way to get the tailgate off my truck!

The manual is no help as it describes how to take a tailgate off my 2001 ( or similar)truck! It refers to unplugging the cable from under the truck, bla, bla bla. On my truck, the strip lights are not mounted in the gate, but in the bed body beneath the gate...so no cable.

On my '01, I just simply lift the left side of the gate and it releases. On this one I can't even figure out how they got it on, much less how to take it off.

Can anyone help me out? I've got the '07 Laramie and maybe it's different than the other models...I don't know.

I do know that if it won't come off, I'm going to be canceling the Happy Jack install and putting a real fine camper up for sale.

I hope it's just something stupid I'm doing and someone can enlighten me.

Thanks in advance......HELP!

P.S. I can't imagine a truck that the taigate can't be removed from.

 

Get you a 20' chain and a stout tree and,,,,,,,,,,,

 

On mine the slot hinge is on the right side. Same as my 05. Takes some effort to find the proper tilt so you can pick it up and then slide it off the left side. It is heavy.

 

Jerry61,
Tried that, but the tree roots couldn't handle a Dodge Cummings...right out of the ground!

I found the slot on the right hand side hinge, but it really looks (and feels ) like it is too small to clear the shaft. I mean,... I'm 'really' putting some strength behind this.

I'm think'ng 'crow bars' & '2 x 4's at this point.

Has anyone been able to get theirs off?

 

Yeah, I take mine off all the time so I can load up my camper. It's pretty easy. It's supposed to be a tight fit. That way the tailgate doesn't rattle too much when on. First, open the tail gate. Let it about halfway down. Disconnect the cables where they attach to the bed side. Then, pull back (it's actually a pull up and back in a 45* angle) the tail gate from the right side first. Be careful. It's heavy. Try with one hand at the top and the other on the bottom. The left side will just slide out.

 

mine was tight felt it with my finger when it was lined up came right off. it was all most all the way down

 

I picked up my 07 on last Friday and the truck had a half ton tailgate on it. So he asked me if I wanted to switch it to a 08 or 07 3/4 ton tailgate and we did it right there in the dealers parking lot. It was pretty simple, just let it down half way, undo the clips that hold on the cables then apply pressure up on the right side as you rotate the tailgate up and down and it will eventually come out. Then just slide the left side off and that's it. Like others here have already said, it is heavy. Get someone to help you if at all possible.

HTH

 

JPR, BPM...Thanks. That was the trick!

I was lifting up on the gate while it was still in the up position...like on my '01. Little did I know that it had to be at ~45 degree angle.

I promise to go away now.....

 

What's the difference between a half ton and 3/4 and 1 ton tailgate? Just the spoiler on the lip or is it built heavier?

 

Maybe because on third gen tailgates, there is chrome lettering saying "heavy duty" on the left side?