Tail gate?

Flightmed · 05-16-2015, 09:30 AM

Do I really need to replace my tailgate with an air gate? Advantages? Disadvantages?

Forbes · 05-16-2015, 09:37 AM

We did not change our tailgate for the first year or so then it happened pulled forward with gate up, now its time to buy a new gate. The air gates are way less than half the cost of a tailgate, change it out and if you trade the truck replace it. I would say yes they are worth it.

Poppy94 · 05-16-2015, 09:42 AM

I took mine off on my first truck & didn't bother w/it. No biggie. I got another truck now that already had an air gate, I gotta get used to it quick or I'm gonna rip that thing off. To me, 6 in 1 or 1/2 dozen in the other.

Filthy Beast · 05-16-2015, 09:55 AM

I have one just for ease of hitching, it gets pretty tight between an open tailgate and the trailer. I don't think there are any MPG advantages to the air gate, at least I have not seen any.

Learjet · 05-16-2015, 10:02 AM

I don't want to loose my backup camera...so I'm keeping it stock

Forbes · 05-16-2015, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Learjet

I don't want to loose my backup camera...so I'm keeping it stock

I got a backup camera off the internet and mounted it on the air gate, took a small plate off and drilled 1 inch hole for it. Found a matching plug at junk yard for truck and now have camera for both, also got a 2nd one with long lead mounted to a magnet if needed during hookup just set it anywhere.

Ford Idaho · 05-16-2015, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Learjet

I don't want to loose my backup camera...so I'm keeping it stock

No reason to loose anything.

Truck Bed Accessories by Husky Liners for 2013 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty - HL15130-38

mcnabbwr · 05-16-2015, 11:54 AM

I prefer keeping it stock, with the roll up cover and stock tail gate the bed stays clean and dry when not towing.

BusyRetirees · 05-16-2015, 12:07 PM

The question you have to ask yourself is why you want to replace your tailgate with an air gate. All tests I have seen indicate that there is no increase in mpg with an air gate. If it is for aesthetics, well that's your call.

bob caldwell · 05-24-2015, 10:34 PM

One good thing with an air gate....their lighter and very easy to remove for loading heavy objects, as my truck has Rhino liner and nothing slides. If you have a trailer plug in bed, plugg'in in is much easier as not quite as long of reach as would be w/ factory gate. Cheaper to re-paint if scratched, easier to clean bed.....they don't always fit quite as tight to bed edges.

dj3spots · 05-25-2015, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Learjet

I don't want to loose my backup camera...so I'm keeping it stock

Same here.

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bob caldwell · 05-25-2015, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flightmed

Do I really need to replace my tailgate with an air gate? Advantages? Disadvantages?

Personal choice... really depends on your type of trailer....tag/5er' ?

**ependydad** · 05-25-2015, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flightmed

Do I really need to replace my tailgate with an air gate? Advantages? Disadvantages?

Need? Nope.

I like my regular tailgate because I think it looks nicer and it's more functional since I have a locking metal rolltop cover and it gives me "secure" storage when it's all locked up. (I tied the tailgate lock into the power door locks so it locks automatically.)

The disadvantage is that I have to lower and raise the tailgate- but with the aforementioned rolltop cover, I need to deal with that at the same time.

I've never had reach issues for the in-bed plug. The only reachability challenge is that I tuck the fifth wheel's umbilical cord and emergency breakaway cable in the back of the pin box- they're a stretch to reach from the side of the tailgate.

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