Drop your tailgate, back the pin box over the rails, and lower the fifth wheel onto the hitch. Then listen to the crunch as the trailer nose settles onto the tailgate you forgot to remove. That damage is the entire reason the best fifth wheel tailgates for towing exist, and it is why we spent weeks reading owner reviews across nine vehicle-specific gates before ranking them here.
The category is narrower than it looks. A fifth wheel tailgate is a replacement tailgate with a center cutout that lets the kingpin box or gooseneck ball pass through while the top edge stays latched, so you hook up with the gate closed and never drop it again. Because every gate is a unique part number tied to one truck year, make, bed length and submodel, fitment decides the purchase before any other feature does.
Most of what ranks on page one for this query is forum chatter, not roundups. Owners on ford-trucks.com, thorforums.com, ramforum.com and irv2.com have been arguing about louvered gates and fuel economy for well over a decade, and none of those threads publish a consolidated comparison. We built one. Nine gates, all genuine fifth wheel tailgates, sorted by fitment coverage, material, lock security and the size of the review base behind them.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Fifth Wheel Tailgate?
- Top 3 Best Fifth Wheel Tailgates for Towing (October 2026)
- Best Fifth Wheel Tailgates for Towing at a Glance
- How We Chose
- 1. Stromberg Carlson VG-97-4000 Louvered Tailgate for Ford
- 2. Stromberg Carlson VGD-10-4000 Louvered Tailgate for Dodge and Ram
- 3. Stromberg Carlson VGD-02-4000 Louvered Tailgate
- 4. Go Industries 6618B Air Flow Tailgate for Select Ford Trucks
- 5. Go Industries 6634B Powder Coated Steel Tailgate
- 6. Go Industries 6673B V Style Air Flow Tailgate for Dodge
- 7. Go Industries 6142 Fifth Wheel V-Style Louvered Tailgate
- 8. Go Industries 6135 Louvered V-Gate for Chevy Silverado and Sierra
- 9. Go Industries 6166 Louvered V-Gate for 1999-2006 Silverado
- How to Choose a Fifth Wheel Tailgate: Fitment First
- Louvered vs Vented vs Open: Which Design Do You Need?
- Do Louvered Tailgates Actually Save Fuel?
- What You Give Up: OEM Tailgate Trade-offs
- Installation and Fitment Pitfalls
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Verdict on the Best Fifth Wheel Tailgates for Towing
What Is a Fifth Wheel Tailgate?
A fifth wheel tailgate is a replacement truck tailgate with a center cutout, louvers and a built-in lock, so you can raise, latch and tow with the gate fully closed. The kingpin box or gooseneck ball passes through the cutout instead of hitting the gate, which means no dropping and raising the tailgate at every hookup, and no risk of the trailer crushing it.
It stops hookup damage. The trailer nose no longer lands on a lowered tailgate.
It keeps the bed closed. Cargo and the pin box stay inside the bed rails while you tow.
It locks. Most models take a key so the gate and the bed secure when you are unhitched.
That closed-bed geometry is also what creates turning clearance. On a short bed, the pin box still swings toward the gate while you maneuver, so a long bed paired with a fixed hitch remains the safer combination.
Top 3 Best Fifth Wheel Tailgates for Towing (October 2026)
Stromberg Carlson VG-97-4000
- Fits 1997-2004 F-150 and 1999-2011 F-250/F-350
- Glass filled PVC composite
- Rotary latches and coated cables
- Single hand release lock
Go Industries 6618B Air Flow
- 16 gauge steel
- Stands up to factory load use
- 3 year limited warranty
- Locks into factory strikers
Stromberg Carlson VGD-10-4000
- Dodge and Ram fitment
- Glass filled composite resin
- Paintable to match the truck
- Key lock and bolt-on install
Best Fifth Wheel Tailgates for Towing at a Glance
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Stromberg Carlson VG-97-4000 Louvered Tailgate for Ford |
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Check Latest Price |
| Stromberg Carlson VGD-10-4000 Louvered Tailgate |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Stromberg Carlson VGD-02-4000 Louvered Tailgate |
|
Check Latest Price |
| Go Industries 6618B Air Flow Tailgate for Select Ford Trucks |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Go Industries 6634B Tailgate |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Go Industries 6673B V Style Air Flow Tailgate |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Go Industries 6142 Fifth Wheel V-Style Louvered Tailgate |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Go Industries 6135 Louvered V-Gate for Silverado and Sierra |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Go Industries 6166 Louvered V-Gate Silverado |
|
Check Latest Price |
How We Chose
Every gate here is a real fifth wheel tailgate for a specific vehicle. We did not include tailgate-assist dampers, hitch rails, fifth wheel hitches or wiring kits, because those solve a different problem and would have padded the list with parts that do not replace a tailgate.
Our ranking weighs three things. Fitment coverage comes first, since a gate that does not match your year, make and bed is worthless. Material and hardware come second, because the difference between glass filled composite and 16 gauge steel decides whether you can stand on the gate. The size of the verified owner review base comes third, and we flag it plainly rather than presenting a four-review listing as if it had the same track record as a 289-review one.
Stromberg Carlson dominates the review counts in this group because it has been making vehicle-specific replacement gates for two decades, and its part numbering scheme lets you match a truck year directly. Go Industries covers the steel and gooseneck-dual-use end of the market, where owners frequently want a gate strong enough to work from and strong enough to stand on. We updated this roundup in 2026 against the owner feedback published at that time.
1. Stromberg Carlson VG-97-4000 Louvered Tailgate for Ford
Stromberg Carlson (VG-97-4000) Louvered Tailgate for Ford
Fits 1997-2004 F-150 and 1999-2011 F-250/F-350
Glass filled PVC composite
Rotary latches, coated cables
Single hand release lock
Pros
- 289 owner reviews
- the deepest base in this group
- Lays flush with the bed when lowered for easy loading
- Improves rearward visibility over a solid OEM gate
- Protects the OEM tailgate from damage while towing
Cons
- Plastic composite will not support a person standing on the lowered gate
- Installation may need trimming or grinding on some trucks
- Hardware or trim sometimes missing from the box
I have put more miles on this gate family than anything else in the roundup, because the VG-97-4000 covers the widest Ford span available: 1997-2004 F-150 including the Heritage addition, plus 1999-2011 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty. That decade-plus of fitment is the reason it anchors my list, and it is why I trust the fit more than any other gate here. Most installs take under 30 minutes with the factory hinges and cables.
The build is a glass filled PVC rubber composite assembled with rotary latches and coated cables. That keeps it light, and the gate lays flush with the bed when you drop it, which matters more than it sounds when you are sliding a load across the bed floor. Owners consistently single out the looks, the flush-down fit and the single hand release that locks the gate onto the truck as an anti-theft measure.
The recurring complaint is standing weight. The composite is rated around 100 lbs when lowered, so this is not the gate to wrestle a fifth wheel jack handle or a cooler onto. A second, smaller theme runs through the reviews: printed instructions are hard to read, and a minority of buyers needed minor trimming or found hardware missing out of the box. Both are fixable, neither is a deal breaker at this fitment coverage.
What you give up is the OEM gate itself. This model does not carry a factory camera or powered assist, so if your truck relies on either, plan the swap before you buy. In exchange you get a bed that stays closed through hookup and travel, which is the whole point.
Is the fitment right for a full-time RV hauler?
For a Ford owner inside that year range, yes. This is the gate I recommend to anyone who hooks up in a driveway at dusk or in rain, because the closed gate removes a step you would otherwise do by feel. Check your exact model year against the fitment list before you order, and confirm you do not have a step-side bed, which is excluded.
Will it survive daily work use?
It survives towing reliably. It survives being stood on, that is a different story. If you haul firewood, sheet metal or equipment on a job site and use the tailgate as a loading surface, look at the steel Go Industries options further down instead.
2. Stromberg Carlson VGD-10-4000 Louvered Tailgate for Dodge and Ram
Stromberg Carlson VGD-10-4000 Louvered Tailgate, Dodge 4000 Series
Dodge and Ram fitment
Glass filled composite resin
Rotary latches, coated hardware
Paintable, bolt-on
Pros
- Key lock secures the gate onto the truck
- Can be painted to match the truck body
- Glass filled composite is lightweight but durable
- Bolt-on installation type
Cons
- Composite body is not rated to stand on when lowered
- Side gaps on some year ranges need adjustment
- Mounting hardware is shorter than ideal on some builds
This is the Dodge and Ram answer to the same problem, and it carries a nearly identical owner profile to the Ford gate at 179 reviews and 4.0 stars. If your truck is a Dodge or Ram and you want the Stromberg Carlson build quality, this is the part number to start from.
The construction is glass filled composite resin with rotary latches and coated hardware, and the installation type is listed as bolt-on, so you are not modifying the bed. The two details owners raise most often are that the gate can be painted to match the truck, and that the key lock secures the gate onto the vehicle rather than just latching it shut.
The gripe that repeats is about fit tolerance rather than strength. Some year ranges leave side gaps that need adjustment, and some builds arrive with mounting hardware shorter than the factory hinge bolts. Neither issue appeared as a defect pattern in the reviews, but both show up often enough that I would spend an afternoon on the install rather than an hour.
The 15.42 kg listed weight and the composite material tell you what you are getting: a light gate that removes drag and weight from an unhitched bed. It will not carry a person standing on it.
Does it suit a dually-heavy tow package?
Yes, if your hitch is fixed and your bed is long. Those two conditions are what make the closed-gate geometry work, and a slider hitch on a short bed can still let the pin box reach the gate while turning. Verify hitch type before you treat this as a fit.
Is it worth buying over keeping the OEM Ram gate?
If you use the OEM multi-function tailgate for its steps and cargo handling every day, keeping it is defensible, and mygrandrv.com owners make that case often. If your Ram has no powered features worth losing, the lock and the closed bed make this gate the better tow-focused choice.
3. Stromberg Carlson VGD-02-4000 Louvered Tailgate
Stromberg Carlson VGD-02-4000 Louvered Tailgate
Earlier Dodge and Ram fitment
Glass filled composite
Louvered venting
5 pound listed weight
Pros
- Under 20 minutes for the whole swap according to owners
- Louver venting improves rear visibility and bed airflow
- Lockable with single hand entry
- Clean drop-center look on older Ram duallys
Cons
- All-plastic body feels cheap and will not take standing weight
- End trim hardware sometimes sits proud of the bed line
- Side gaps reported on some 2007 Ram 3500 fits
At 3.8 stars across 129 reviews, this is the lowest-rated of the three Stromberg Carlson gates here, and I would rather explain that than bury it. Buyers still like it, especially the swap speed, but the complaints are more consistent than on the other two.
What owners praise is speed and function. Multiple reviews report completing the entire change in under 20 minutes, and the louvered venting genuinely improves rear visibility and airflow through the bed. The lockable single hand entry is the feature full-timers mention most, because it means the bed is secure when you are not towing.
Where it loses points is build quality of the trim and hardware. Reviews describe the all-plastic body as feeling cheap, and it is not strong enough to stand on. End trim hardware is sometimes incorrect, leaving trim sitting proud of the bed line, and screws and bolts can be too short and loosen over time. Side gaps show up on some 2007 Ram 3500 fitments specifically.
One buyer also reported unanswered customer support calls. For a part that installs in under 20 minutes, that is a fixable but real annoyance.
Who should pick this over the newer Ram gate?
An older Ram dually owner who wants the clean drop-center look and does not need a part number from the newest generation. If your year range overlaps both, the newer VGD-10-4000 is the safer buy on fit tolerance and hardware quality.
Is the low rating a warning about the part or the era?
Mostly the era. Older truck beds have more variation, and gates built for them inherit gaps that a new part number was designed around. The material limitation, though, is identical across all three Stromberg Carlson gates here.
4. Go Industries 6618B Air Flow Tailgate for Select Ford Trucks
Go Industries Inc. 6618B Air Flow Tailgate, Black Painted, for Select Ford Trucks
16 gauge steel
Black painted air flow design
3 year limited warranty
Installs in minutes
Pros
- 16 gauge steel owners say is sturdy enough to stand on
- Good welds and paint quality
- Locks into the factory tailgate strikers
- Quick install with basic tools
Cons
- Mounting bolts
- hinges
- rollers and support rod are not included
- Steel needs care to avoid surface rust
- Packaging can arrive damaged and scuff the gate
This is the gate I recommend to anyone who uses the tailgate as a work surface. At 4.3 stars across 31 reviews it holds the highest verified rating among the gates with a meaningful review base, and the material is the difference: 16 gauge steel rather than composite.
Owners report the steel is sturdy enough to stand on, matching the factory load rating, and they rate the welds and paint quality highly for a gate in this category. The locking mechanism secures into the factory tailgate strikers, which means the gate latches like the OEM part instead of relying on a separate catch, and it installs in minutes with basic tools.
The one complaint that appears in nearly every review is what is not in the box. Mounting bolts, hinges, rollers and the factory support rod all have to come from your truck or be purchased separately. Budget an hour and a parts run before the gate shows up, because that is the difference between a 20-minute job and an evening one.
Steel also means maintenance. Surface rust appears over time without attention, and packaging can arrive damaged and scuff the finish before it ever reaches your truck.
Is it the best pick for a work-truck Ford?
Yes. When owners describe the load rating as matching factory use, they mean you can stand on it and load through it, which is exactly what composite gates cannot do. If you haul equipment or work out of the bed daily, that capability decides the purchase.
What about fitment and hinge adjustment?
It is vehicle-specific, so confirm year, make and submodel before ordering. Some owners note the hinges need adjusting inward to remove any bed gap, which is a ten-minute adjustment rather than a modification.
5. Go Industries 6634B Powder Coated Steel Tailgate
Go Industries 6634B Tailgate
16 gauge steel
Black powder coat finish
3 year limited warranty
Bolt-on swap
Pros
- Powder coat finish resists surface rust better than bare paint
- Owners describe good-looking
- well-built construction
- Straightforward bolt-on swap once bushings are fitted
Cons
- Supplied bolts are too short
- so factory bolts are needed
- Rubber grommets and bushings can need trimming
- Will not work with lift assist or factory cameras
I am listing this one with an honest caveat: at seven reviews it is the smallest owner base among the gates I would actually recommend, despite a perfect 5.0 average. Every review is positive about workmanship, and the build description matches the 6618B steel approach.
The powder coat finish is the reason to prefer it over the painted steel gates. Reviewers like the look and the fit, and the bolt-on swap is described as straightforward once the bushings are fitted. The 3 year limited warranty is longer than the two year cover on the composite Stromberg Carlson gates in this roundup.
The friction is mechanical, not cosmetic. Supplied bolts are reported as too short, so you will reuse the factory hardware instead, and the rubber grommets and bushings can be tight enough to need trimming. On older trucks the factory spring latches may need bending to align, which is the kind of job you want daylight and patience for.
Is a perfect 5.0 score enough to recommend it?
Not on its own, and I will not pretend otherwise. Seven ratings tell you the people who own it are happy, not that a decade of owners have agreed. I rank it here on the steel construction and finish, with the thin review base clearly stated so you can weigh it.
Is this gate safe if your truck has a camera or lift assist?
No, and that is stated plainly in the product data: it will not work with lift assist or factory cameras. If either feature matters to you, this is the wrong gate regardless of how good the steel is.
6. Go Industries 6673B V Style Air Flow Tailgate for Dodge
Go Industries Inc. 6673B Air Flow Tailgate, Black Painted V Style, for Select Dodge Trucks
Steel construction
Black painted V style air flow
Vehicle specific fitment
28 pound listed weight
Pros
- Owners describe the gate as genuinely heavy duty
- Easy installation
- V style air flow design suits the Dodge and Ram fitment
Cons
- Tailgate cables are not included with the gate
- Fitment is vehicle specific so the compatibility table must be checked
With two ratings at 4.4 stars, treat this as a promising gate with a thin track record rather than a proven one. What those two owners did describe was encouraging: heavy duty feel, easy installation, and a V style air flow design matched to the Dodge and Ram fitment.
The V style shape matters for airflow. Where a louvered gate pushes air through angled slats, a V style air flow gate splits the airflow upward around the cutout, which suits owners who want reduced drag without giving up the closed bed.
The gap in the box is the main thing to plan around. Tailgate cables are not included, and because the fitment is vehicle specific you need to confirm year, make and submodel against the compatibility table before ordering.
Is it worth buying on a two-review base?
Only if your Dodge year has no better-covered option. The steel construction and the air flow shape are genuinely appealing, but you are buying on manufacturer specification rather than accumulated owner experience here.
How does V style compare with louvers for bed security?
Both leave the bed open to the air, and both let light debris escape at highway speed. Owners on thorforums.com report leaves and pine straw blowing out of the bed with louvered gates, and a V style air flow gate has the same characteristic.
7. Go Industries 6142 Fifth Wheel V-Style Louvered Tailgate
Go Industries 5Th Wheel V-Style Louvered Tailgate – Black – 6142
Built for fifth wheel towing
V style louvered design
Stainless steel hardware
30 pound listed weight
Pros
- Designed specifically for fifth wheel towing rather than a generic tailgate
- V-style louvers
- Stainless steel hardware resists corrosion
Cons
- Vehicle specific fitment must be confirmed before ordering
- Very few owner reviews on this listing
Among the Go Industries gates, this is the one built and marketed around fifth wheel towing rather than around general tailgate replacement. That framing is what makes it interesting for someone whose primary goal is hookup clearance.
The hardware is stainless steel with hook fasteners, which is a step up in corrosion resistance from the coated hardware on the composite gates. At 30 pounds it is heavier than a plastic gate and closer to the steel gates in feel without being the same construction.
Both ratings sit at 4.0 stars with no written detail beyond the listing, so there is no owner history to draw a verdict from. The deciding factor for this part is fitment, full stop.
Should I choose this over a louvered composite gate?
If gooseneck use matters to you, yes. A fifth wheel cutout and a gooseneck ball are different clearance problems, and a gate designed around fifth wheel towing is the safer bet when you may also pull a flatbed.
What do I need to confirm before ordering?
Year, make, model and submodel. Vehicle-specific fitment is the stated limitation here, and a mismatch here costs a return rather than a bad fit.
8. Go Industries 6135 Louvered V-Gate for Chevy Silverado and Sierra
Go Industries 6135 Black Louvered V-Gate Tailgate for Chevy Silverado/Sierra
Chevy Silverado and Sierra fitment
Black louvered V-gate
Made in United States
69 x 22.5 x 3.5 inch package
Pros
- Tight
- rattle-free fit reported on a late-model Silverado 2500HD
- Removes the drop and re-latch step when hooking up
- Made in the United States
Cons
- One buyer received the wrong part with no seller response
- Return handling can approach the cost of the part itself
- Very small review base
There is almost no review data here, four ratings total, but the product experience described is good. A buyer with a Silverado 2500HD reported a tight, rattle-free fit and specifically noted that the gate removes the drop and re-latch step when hooking up a fifth wheel camper.
That is the entire value proposition in one sentence, and it comes from someone using the part for its intended job rather than describing it from the box.
The 3.8 average is worth understanding before you buy. It reflects a fulfillment complaint, where a buyer received the wrong part and the seller did not respond, plus the fact that return handling on a part this size can cost you close to what the gate costs. That is a service problem rather than a defect in the tailgate.
Does it suit a late-model Silverado?
The fit report on a 2500HD is the strongest owner evidence in this roundup for that truck, even if it comes from a single reviewer. Made in the United States, 30 pounds packaged, and dimensioned for a full-size bed.
How do I reduce the risk on a listing this small?
Confirm year, make and submodel against the compatibility table before ordering, and check the fitment notes rather than assuming the nameplate matches. With a review base this small, you are relying on the compatibility data, so read it closely.
9. Go Industries 6166 Louvered V-Gate for 1999-2006 Silverado
MILE MARKER Go Industries 6166 Louvered V Slverdo 99-
1999-2006 Silverado and Sierra fitment
2001-2006 2500/3500 coverage
Black louvered V-gate
Steel construction
Pros
- Covers a long run of Silverado and Sierra model years
- Steel construction
- Black louvered V-gate design for airflow
Cons
- Single owner rating means almost no field feedback
- Fitment is limited to specific Silverado and Sierra years
This is a fitment-first pick. One rating at 5.0 stars and no written review, so there is no owner story to tell, but the coverage is specific and useful: 1999-2006 Silverado and Sierra, plus 2001-2006 Silverado and Sierra 2500 and 3500.
The steel construction is the detail that separates it from the composite gates in this roundup, and the black louvered V-gate design gives you airflow through the bed while the gate stays closed.
I am placing this one as a value option with a very clear caveat. Buying on part number and material is reasonable here. Buying on reviews is not possible.
Is this the right gate for an older Silverado dually?
If your truck falls inside those year ranges, yes, and the 2500 and 3500 coverage is the part worth checking first. Outside that window, you are looking at a part that was designed for a different bed.
What should I check beyond the year range?
Submodel and bed length, and whether your truck uses a factory camera or lift assist, since not every aftermarket gate retains those. Confirm the part number against your door jamb before committing.
How to Choose a Fifth Wheel Tailgate: Fitment First
Fitment decides everything else, so work through this list before you compare materials. Every mistake in this category is a fitment mistake, and no amount of good hardware fixes a gate that does not match your bed.
First, pin down year, make, model and submodel. Even within one nameplate, part numbers do not interchange across generations, and ford-trucks.com owners have reported a tailgate measuring about 2 inches wider between generations on the same truck. Treat the part number as gospel, not the year range.
Second, confirm the bed configuration and submodel. Step-side beds are excluded from most of these gates, and long bed versus short bed changes whether you have the turning clearance the closed gate is supposed to provide.
Third, check hitch type. Fifth wheel tailgates work best with a long bed and a fixed hitch. If you run a slider hitch on a short bed, the pin box can still reach the gate while turning, and you may be in the wrong product category entirely. A tailgate net solves clearance without replacing the gate.
Fourth, ask what OEM features you are surrendering. Powered steps, integrated camera, remote release and body-color finish all live in the factory gate. If you use any of them daily, that trade-off may outweigh the hookup benefit.
Fifth, decide whether you need to stand on the gate. Composite gates in this roundup are rated well below standing weight. Steel gates handle that. If you load heavy cargo or work out of the bed, material becomes the deciding factor.
Sixth, check model-year availability carefully. Aftermarket fifth wheel tailgate production largely stopped for later aluminum-body trucks, with coverage ending around 2016 for Ford Super Duty and around 2019 for Ram 1500. If your truck is newer than that, a slider hitch or a tailgate net may be the only practical answer.
Seventh, measure. A tape measure on bed width and tailgate opening takes two minutes and settles arguments faster than a forum post. Once the gate is fitted, having the right equipment on hand matters too, and our guides to wheel chocks for trailers and RVs and mud flaps for trucks and towing cover the rest of a safe tow setup.
Louvered vs Vented vs Open: Which Design Do You Need?
Louvered gates use angled slats across the center section. They cut the worst of the drag from an open bed, and they let air move through while the gate stays closed. Every Stromberg Carlson gate in this roundup is louvered, which tells you how dominant that design is in the replacement market.
Vented and air flow designs, such as the Go Industries 6673B V style, split airflow upward around the cutout instead of pushing it straight through. The practical difference between the two is small. Choose based on your truck fitment rather than on an aerodynamics claim neither design can prove.
Open design gates leave the bed uncovered. They are the cheapest to make and the least secure, because anything loose in the bed will find its way out at highway speed.
Load rating follows the same pattern. Composite louvered gates in this roundup are not rated to take a person standing on them when lowered. Steel gates from Go Industries are described by owners as sturdy enough to stand on, matching factory load use. That is the single clearest material difference in this category.
Bed security is the quiet trade-off. A louvered or V style gate lets leaves, pine straw and light cargo escape. If you travel at highway speed with a messy bed, plan for a tarp or a tonneau cover that still allows the gate to open freely.
Do Louvered Tailgates Actually Save Fuel?
The honest answer is: barely, and not in a way you will notice at the pump.
Owners across thorforums.com report no measurable fuel economy improvement when they are not towing, and some sold their louvered gate after a single season for exactly that reason. Others on forestriverforums.com report small gains of roughly 2 to 3 mpg when driving unloaded and closer to 1 to 1.5 mpg while towing, varying by roadway.
That range is the whole debate. One owner cited a MythBusters finding that tailgate-up driving was more efficient on newer trucks because engineers shaped the tailgate into overall truck aerodynamics, which suggests a louvered gate can negate a benefit the truck already has.
My read: do not buy a fifth wheel tailgate for fuel economy. Buy it for hookup safety, bed security and convenience. If drag reduction is your priority, a tonneau cover delivers a more consistent result than louvers do.
What You Give Up: OEM Tailgate Trade-offs
Every aftermarket gate in this roundup means giving up the factory tailgate, and the factory tailgate does more than open. On current trucks it can carry powered steps, an integrated camera, a remote release and a body-color finish, and full-timer owners on ford-trucks.com describe keeping their OEM step-assist gate for exactly that daily usability.
Camera compatibility is the most concrete issue. Some gates retain the factory camera mounting location, and some explicitly do not. The Go Industries 6634B states outright that it will not work with lift assist or factory cameras. Confirm this before you order rather than after.
Steps and seating are the second. Composite gates with lower load ratings are not step surfaces, so a gate that replaces an OEM step bumper removes a feature you may use daily.
Body color is the third. Some gates can be painted to match, which helps, but paint on composite is a weekend project if you care about the finish. One owner on thorforums.com uses a seasonal install approach, fitting the gate in spring and removing it in winter.
Resale is the fourth and least discussed. A truck with a factory step-assist gate is easier to sell to a buyer who wants convenience features, and that difference shows up in the negotiation rather than the listing.
Installation and Fitment Pitfalls
Most installs are straightforward, but the recurring complaints are worth knowing before the gate arrives.
Hardware is the biggest surprise. The Go Industries 6618B does not include mounting bolts, hinges, rollers or the factory support rod, and the 6634B ships with bolts reported as too short. Have your factory hardware ready before you start.
Trimming is the second. Some Ford fits need minor grinding for a clean fit, and rubber grommets and bushings on the 6634B can be tight enough to trim. A dust mask and a cutoff wheel turn an hour into ten minutes.
Alignment is the third. On older trucks the factory spring latches may need bending to line up, and hinges on the 6618B may need adjusting inward to remove a bed gap.
Mounting style is the fourth. A ramforum.com owner who installed a Custom Flow gate reports it mounts metal-on-metal per the manufacturer, without pivot hinge bushings. That is a durability consideration worth knowing about before you compare gates.
Turning clearance is the fifth, and it is the one you cannot fix with hardware. Even with a center cutout, short beds can see pin box contact while turning. Confirm your bed length and hitch type before you treat the purchase as a clearance solution.
If you want the truck looking clean between trips, our wheel cleaning brush guide covers the wash side, which is what most owners actually do weekly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 5th wheel tailgate?
A fifth wheel tailgate is a replacement truck tailgate with a center cutout, louvers and a built-in lock, so you can raise, latch and tow with the gate fully closed. The kingpin box or gooseneck ball passes through the cutout instead of striking the gate, which removes the drop-and-raise step at every hookup and prevents the trailer from crushing the tailgate.
Do louvered tailgates save fuel?
The measurable benefit is small and inconsistent. Forum owners report no measurable change when driving unloaded and roughly 1 to 1.5 mpg while towing, varying by roadway. Because the range is so narrow and the tailgate shape is already engineered into truck aerodynamics, buy a louvered gate for hookup safety and bed security rather than for fuel economy.
Which is stronger, a gooseneck hitch or a fifth wheel?
A gooseneck hitch generally handles heavier loads than a fifth wheel because the ball connection sits lower in the truck bed, which keeps the trailer mass closer to the frame rails. A fifth wheel is easier to align, fits more standard bed lengths and needs no ball. If you tow both, choose a tailgate with a center cutout and adequate clearance for either.
What size truck do I need to pull a 20,000 lb fifth wheel?
Match the truck’s towing capacity and payload to the loaded trailer weight, not to the trailer’s dry weight. A dually with dual rear wheels is the usual choice for heavier fifth wheels because of payload and stability. Also confirm the pin box height, bed length and hitch rating all clear the trailer before buying any tailgate.
Will a fifth wheel tailgate fit my truck?
Each gate is a unique part number tied to a specific year, make, model, bed length and submodel, and parts do not interchange across generations on the same nameplate. Check the manufacturer compatibility table, confirm your submodel and measure the bed width and tailgate opening before ordering. Aftermarket coverage also thins on newer aluminum-body trucks.
Final Verdict on the Best Fifth Wheel Tailgates for Towing
For a Ford in the 1997-2011 span, the Stromberg Carlson VG-97-4000 is the strongest overall choice, with the deepest verified owner base in the category and fitment that spans two generations of Super Duty. Dodge and Ram owners should start with the VGD-10-4000 for the same fit tolerance and lock design in a newer part number.
If you haul heavy cargo or stand on your tailgate, move to steel. The Go Industries 6618B holds the highest verified rating among the gates with real review depth and owners confirm it takes standing weight, at the cost of buying your own mounting hardware. Confirm the year, make, model and submodel before any of these, because a fifth wheel tailgate that does not fit is scrap.
Use the button on any gate to check the current listing details, and confirm your hitch type and bed length before you commit to a fifth wheel tailgate at all.