Fifth wheel tailgate. A full-length article answering common questions with product reviews and useful tips about fifth wheel tailgate. Fifth wheels are a type of trailer that can be towed by large pickup trucks or vans, which makes them popular for towing on roads where the driver is not allowed to tow anything behind their vehicle. If you’re considering purchasing a new fifth wheel, this article will provide some helpful advice on what features you should prioritize when looking at different models of trailers.
Fifth wheel tailgate. A full-length article answering common questions with product reviews and useful tips about fifth wheel tailgate. Fifth wheels are a type of trailer that can be towed by large pickup trucks or vans, which makes them popular for towing on roads where the driver is not allowed to tow anything behind their vehicle. If you’re considering purchasing a new fifth wheel, this article will provide some helpful advice on what features you should prioritize when looking at different models of trailers.
First off, it’s good practice to familiarize yourself with how your truck would handle pulling such a heavy load as required for most fifth wheels on an empty road before taking off down the highway towards your destination; driving under stress causes more accidents than almost anything else. Second, make sure you have the proper towing equipment for your vehicle; many trucks will come with a factory-installed receiver hitch that can be raised or lowered depending on whether it’s being used as an accessory mount (as is required by most states) or in conjunction with a fifth wheel trailer.
Best Fifth Wheel Tailgates Reviewed
This is a heavy duty model with weight capacity of 16,000 pounds and its overall dimensions are 87″ x 33.25″. It’s designed for full-size trucks so it should fit perfectly on any truck/SUV that has three rows seatbelts.
Custom Flow VEL28 comes with drop legs which provide quick release from the vehicle bed as well as adjustable height options between 17 & 19 inches to accommodate drivers who have different heights.
It also features rubber seals inside the sidewalls which prevent dust, dirt or water coming into contact with your fifth wheel hitch – this feature will come in handy during driving through mud or snow because debris entering the receiver can be really dangerous if you’re not prepared.
This model is available in two options – fixed height or adjustable legs, so you can choose the one that will fit your needs best. All Custom Flow VEL28 parts are covered with lifetime warranty and it comes at a fair price. The only downside we could find about this product is its weight which might be too heavy for some drivers to install on their own but if you’re not afraid of lifting up weights then this shouldn’t bother you much.
- Heavy-duty and durable
- Full protection from dust/dirt/water thanks to rubber seals inside the sidewalls of the tailgate
- Easy installation – it can be done with one person in less than an hour (depending on your experience)
- It’s very heavy so you might want help when installing it.
Stromberg Carlson VG-97-100 is designed for Ford F250 and F350 Super Duty trucks. It weighs only 95 pounds which makes it one of the lightest models on our list but don’t let its weight fool you – this product can hold up to 18,000 lbs that’s equivalent to carrying many people at once!
It comes with two vents that prevent moisture or debris entering your truck bed when driving through rain/snow so there won’t be any need to take out the tailgate anymore if conditions are wet outside.
Stromberg Carlson VG-97-100 is equipped with a gear driven latch that makes it easy to open and close in any weather. What’s more – the tailgate has an adjustable stop so you can use it for various types of trailers whether they are high or low fifth wheel trailers . It also prevents wind from blowing your trailer door shut when traveling down the highway which will keep animals/pets safe inside your truck bed.
This model isn’t compatible with aluminum F350 but if you own this particular year then rest assured because Stromberg Carlson offers other models designed specifically for these trucks! We suggest choosing stainless steel hinges because they’re rust resistant unlike regular ones however, standard bolts come along with product.
- Gear driven latch for easy opening and closing
- Prevent debris/moisture from entering truck bed during rain or snow
- Not compatible with aluminum F350 (but there are other models available)
Stromberg Carlson VG-97-4000 is a top pick product. This tailgate is designed for Ford F250 and F350 Super Duty trucks, it’s made of stainless steel which makes the hinges rust resistant unlike regular bolts that come along with this model.
The louvered design prevents debris from getting inside your truck bed when driving through rain/snow because there are vents on both sides of the tailgate however, you can also add an optional dust cover if necessary – just keep in mind that these covers aren’t included so be sure to purchase them separately . The adjustable stop allows you to use different types of fifth wheel trailers without having any issues whatsoever.
It weighs 95 pounds like other products we’ve talked about but comes with a four-year warranty. It’s also rust resistant which is always great to hear about especially if you live in an area with lots of rain/snow, salt and other harsh elements that can damage your tailgate or any other accessories for that matter .
It doesn’t chip off paint easily because the powder coating finish provides outstanding protection from weathering while looking sleek at the same time – not too flashy but definitely stylish enough to add some character to your ride. The installation process takes around one hour thanks to all necessary hardware being included , providing clear instructions on how everything should be installed plus it works well with fifth wheel hitches manufactured by B&W as long as they are Class III racks (max weight capacity: 12000 lbs).
- Great price
- Great quality (stainless steel hinges)
- Dust covers are optional (can be purchased separately)
- No side rails included
Stromberg Carlson VGM-99-100 is our budget pick product. It comes in silver color with louvers on both sides – if you’re not planning to use this tailgate for camping/off roading then it’s a good solution because the dust covers are included . The lightweight design makes installation process pretty easy plus there aren’t any additional parts that need to be installed which saves your time and money.
The max weight capacity of the fifth wheel trailer shouldn’t exceed 12000 lbs so keep that in mind when making purchase decisions especially if you have one heavy duty model or plan on using two different types of trailers at once (12k & 16k). This particular tailgate should work well most B&W hitches – just make sure to check the specs of your hitch model. The tailgate comes with a limited lifetime warranty which is pretty standard for this type of products, however there were some complaints on low quality steel used in construction – that’s something you should consider if planning on using it often or plan to be rough when operating it (e.g off roading).
- Works well with B&W hitches
- Vents on both sides
- Low quality steel construction (potential weak spot)
Custom Flow V-EL20 is another budget pick on our list. It’s slightly more expensive than the first option but it comes with some additional features that might be useful if you’re planning to use your trailer for camping or off roading. The installation process requires drilling through the tailgate which takes a little bit of time and effort, however most people were able to complete this job in about an hour – just make sure to check drill bits size before making purchase decision . If you don’t feel comfortable doing so then we suggest hiring professional help (e.g local car mechanic).
Another advantage of Custom Flow V-EL20 is built-in keyed lock system that gives secure feeling when operating the tailgate plus a a warranty of up to three years.
Although it’s significantly cheaper than the first option, Custom Flow V-EL20 is still top quality product that will last for years thanks to powder coat finish and reinforced steel construction . There were no major complaints about either rust or poor paint job so we can safely conclude this fifth wheel tailgate provides excellent value for money as well as better security compared with standard truck bed covers.
- Budget pick
- Additional features for off roading or camping use
- Powder coat finished and reinforced steel construction
- Installation requires drilling through the tailgate which might be a problem if you don’t have any experience with this kind of task.
How to choose the best fifth wheel tailgate
- Find one that is compatible with your car and truck
measure your height, width and weight restrictions.
- Make sure it’s easy for you to use
find out if you can open the tailgate from inside of your car or not – this will make a difference when driving during rain or cold weather!
- Look at security features
check that there is no movement between the hitch and receiver which could cause damage in case of an accident. Only buy one with locking pins and built in locks (this makes sense especially for SUVs).
- Ease of installation
some fifth wheel hitches require professional assistance so be aware before purchasing one because they may also charge extra fees on top of what you already paid for the product/service itself. Some models are easier than others to install.
- Your budget
prices range from $300 to over a thousand dollars. Make sure you’re not spending more than what your car is worth!
- The weight capacity
make sure it’s compatible with the maximum weight of your vehicle.
- Look for special features like height adjustment or adjustable length
these are usually included in higher end models which cost more but they may be necessary depending on how tall/short you are and if there are any issues with low clearance when driving inside city limits.
- Accessories
make sure you get everything that’s included with the product description/specifications!
Benefits of a 5th Wheel Tailgate
- A lot of cargo space: the tailgate provides access to a big storage area, and it can be used as an extension for your bed.
- It’s cost effective: you don’t have to purchase expensive equipment like ramps or custom hitches in order to install one. Just use what you already have on hand!
- Easy to use: you can open it easily from the inside of your car.
- It’s safer than a standard hitch because there are no chains or ball bearings touching the ground when in transit – this is especially important for cars with low clearance!
- You can use it to tow motorcycles, ATV’s or jet skis.
- There are no moving parts which means there is nothing that could break down and leave you stranded by the side of the road!
- The tailgate is designed to be compatible with your car’s existing lighting, wiring and exhaust.
- It can help you avoid expensive police fines when driving in left lane!
Tips about Fifth wheel tailgate
- Fifth wheel tailgates are easy to install if you follow the instructions. They can take about an hour or two in total depending on which model you choose and your experience level with installing car parts/equipment.
- Fifth wheel hitches come with leveling bars, chains, pins and locks – make sure they’re included in the package before purchasing one!
- It’s safer to have professional assistance when installing a fifth wheel hitch for your truck but it may cost extra money that not everyone is willing to pay for. You’ll save yourself some time too because these products usually require proper training so unless you feel confident after reading all of the installation manuals carefully then hiring someone who knows what he/she is doing will be worth every penny spent.
- If you’re new to the world of fifth wheel tailgates then it’s important to get familiar with all of its features, capabilities and how it works before buying one. You can use YouTube videos or ask someone who has experience working with them for advice/guidance.
- Make sure there is no play between your hitch and receiver by performing a test drive which will reveal if anything isn’t properly attached. Don’t forget that this product comes with locking pins so you don’t have to worry about theft – just make sure they are secured in place!
- The height adjustment feature allows people of different heights to safely ride even when driving inside city limits where low clearance on truck beds be an issue depending on how tall you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
The Fifth wheel tailgate is a great piece of equipment that can be used to increase the functionality and usability of your fifth wheel trailer. There are many benefits associated with adding this type of accessory, including increased storage space, improved safety features, and more maneuverability in tight spaces. If you’re looking for a good quality 5th Wheel Tailgate at an affordable price, you should consider one from our list below – these products have been evaluated by our team as being high-quality pieces or hardware which will serve their users well for years to come.