Driving long distance with tailgate down....

Rickkari1 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-19-2008, 08:28 AM

Quick question guys? I have a truck camper that fits my truck with the tailgate down. If I drive say 300

miles with my tailgate down, can I expect to get rock chips thrown from the tires? I hear a lot of you mention the bed extender and am wondering if you guys get tailgate damage? Should I take it off? Thanks in advance for any comments.

Rick

Negra · #2 (**permalink**) 01-19-2008, 08:36 AM

Just remove it,with it unsecured (latched/locked)the potential for someone else to help themselves is greater then acouple rock chips

gabes · #3 (**permalink**) 01-19-2008, 09:42 AM

I would take it off too. I drove my old work truck with the tailgate down a lot and could here the gate bouncing up and down at every pothole and whatnot.

cwit · #4 (**permalink**) 01-19-2008, 10:05 AM

A few people here have even said that the tailgate can fall off. I put a ty strap on the left hand side pivot point so that can't happen , it also helps to slow down a thief.

cwit · #5 (**permalink**) 01-19-2008, 10:06 AM

I did mean right hand, sorry.

mxsjw · #6 (**permalink**) 01-19-2008, 04:35 PM

I answered you here....2007 vs 2008 Toyota Bed extender differences?

Rickkari1 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-19-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabes

I would take it off too. I drove my old work truck with the tailgate down a lot and could here the gate bouncing up and down at every pothole and whatnot.

Guys, I only want to do this with the camper on. The tailgate can't move at all, I just worry about rock chips as I travel 30-40 miles on gravel roads and I have the Toyo M/T's. This is only 10-12 times a year that I have the camper on the truck. It's just a lot easier to leave the tailgate down versus taking it off. Thanks in advance for any replies.

Rick

bunker7 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-20-2008, 12:58 AM

You'll get lots of rock chips on it. Mine had a quad on it for a year with the tail gate down and she's ready for a repaint now.
Take it off and save it.

Lono33 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-20-2008, 04:39 AM

I would say definitely pull the tailgate off. You have probably read a million stories here of the tailgate bucking and failing with anything over a couple hundred pounds. So, you may have no weight on the tailgate, and weight burden you put on it loading or unloading stuff could to damage. Plus, having the tailgate down creates additional drag and so doesn't help your mileage.

ultratech · #10 (**permalink**) 01-20-2008, 06:35 AM

Maybe someone can link that article about having better mpg with the tailgate closed.

Steve07LTD · #11 (**permalink**) 01-20-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultratech

Maybe someone can link that article about having better mpg with the tailgate closed.

Heller Auto Group Entertainment

The "separated bubble" mentioned is technically known as a "captive vortex."

vegasheat · #12 (**permalink**) 01-20-2008, 11:12 AM

Just have your tailgate lined with some 3M..or maybe double lined if you don't want to take it off.

mudtundra · #13 (**permalink**) 01-20-2008, 01:26 PM

keep your tailgate closed you get better mpg that way

45ACP · #14 (**permalink**) 01-20-2008, 10:39 PM

Just go to Home depot and get a roll of carpet protector. It's a roll of adhesive plastic sheeting and should protect your tail gate. It can also protect the sides when going through brush. Just peel it off when you're done.

FSS · #15 (**permalink**) 01-20-2008, 11:09 PM

I drove about 20 trips this year with the tailgate down on logging roads with an 8' fly fishing pontoon boat in the bed. Not a single rock chip. Did the same thing with my '02 for 3 years, again not a single rock chip. You have mud flaps???