Towing and Hauling / RV Discuss towing and hauling here. Share your tips and tricks. RV and camping discussion welcome.

Tailgate Removal

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-01-2007, 09:57 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
beretzs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Smile Tailgate Removal

Quick question. Sorry for the ignorance, but how do I get the tailgate off my truck? I tried to mess with it a little this afternoon but had not luck. Have to go and pick up the trailer tomorrow, so I would like to get the gate out. Scotty
Old 07-01-2007, 10:05 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
Equalizer 2's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Mountains of Western NM
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It really helps if there are two of you to do it. You will need to unhook the tailgate cables from the bed. Then you have to "play" with the tailgate to get the correct angle for the tailgate to slide off the hinge pin. You can look at this on the passenger side of the tailgate as you are "playing" with it and get the angle. You then lift up on the passenger end of the tailgate, swing it out away from the truck just far enough to clear the bed and tail light assembly and then pull it off the driver's side hinge pin. You move the tailgate towards the passenger tail light to get it off the second hinge.

Someone else may give better instructions but that is how it is done.

Why are you removing it? I have taken mine off and I have left it on and I get the same mileage when towing my 5er. You do need to make sure that you remember to drop the tailgate and close it when hooking up or unhooking. Also you need to make sure you have clearance when dropping the tailgate if you are doing any of this at an angle.
Old 07-12-2007, 02:56 PM
  #3  
Registered User
 
supr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you are getting a 5th wheel, you may want to look at a 5th wheel tailgate.
They allow for hooking & unhooking the 5er without having to drop the gate.
Also, I have read a few posts where people have forgotten to put their gate down & damaged both the fiver, but maily the tailgate It is also illegal to travel without a tailgate.
They sell the 5er gates at Camping World.
Old 07-12-2007, 04:20 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
Jus Cruisin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by supr
It is also illegal to travel without a tailgate.
They sell the 5er gates at Camping World.
Huh? Never heard that before.
Old 07-12-2007, 04:37 PM
  #5  
Registered User
 
daniel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: lexington, ky
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by supr
It is also illegal to travel without a tailgate.
never heard of this either. ive drove around many times without a tailgate and never had anything said before.
Old 07-12-2007, 04:46 PM
  #6  
Chapter President
 
Mike D's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Rural Hall, NC
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It's only illegal if your mother in-law is not present in the bed of the truck.
Old 07-12-2007, 05:59 PM
  #7  
Registered User
 
TBNorge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Wheat Ridge Colorado
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by supr
It is also illegal to travel without a tailgate.
Must be a Texas thing. Never heard of that law here.
Old 07-13-2007, 07:37 AM
  #8  
Registered User
 
johnh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: lyman, utah
Posts: 4,053
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes on 26 Posts
texas has some weird vehicle laws. like night and day speed limits.... only 5 mph difference
Old 07-13-2007, 09:12 PM
  #9  
Registered User
 
GAmes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Killeen, Tx
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Nope, not a TX law. I've had my tailgate installed for maybe 200 miles of the total life of the truck.

But then there is the inter-net law. If a non-fact is repeated enough times on the internet then it becomes true. You do know that sulphur has become a fuel lubricant, right?
Old 07-13-2007, 09:51 PM
  #10  
DTR's Toad Wrangler
 
Clayten's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: N 48 25.707 W123 21.887
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I use a small piece of wood (2x4) to pry up on the tail gait when I am taking it off.
Old 07-15-2007, 08:54 PM
  #11  
Registered User
 
24seven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Oregon
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Pull the cables off then you should be able to pull it up and off when its at about a 45 degree angle (halfway up). It took me a few minutes to figure it out but once you do its a piece of cake...takes all of two seconds. As far as it being illegal to run without a tailgate Ive never had a problem and I have run through a lot of states. Probably if you have something in the back and its not secured is the only time they might raise a fuss.
Old 07-15-2007, 08:59 PM
  #12  
Banned
 
rustyshakelford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1969
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
go to a place where undesirables hang out. they will show you how to take it off at the speed of a nascar team changing 2 tires at talladega! if your not careful youll end up on blocks w/o any seats in the same time if you dont pay attention

brett

oh yeah. pay them with malt liquor
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
gdavidg
4th Gen Ram -Non Drivetrain- 2010 and Up
3
05-22-2012 10:58 AM
trik396
3rd Gen High Performance and Accessories (5.9L Only)
11
06-01-2008 07:04 PM
ronc
3rd Generation Ram - Non Drivetrain - All Years
5
05-21-2008 11:46 AM
walker
3rd Generation Ram - Non Drivetrain - All Years
3
06-21-2007 08:51 AM
Shovelhead
General Diesel Discussion
18
08-13-2005 08:58 PM



Quick Reply: Tailgate Removal



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:31 AM.