Author Topic: Tailgate support bar (Read 11407 times)

Pricecheck · « **on:** August 18, 2014, 12:52:32 AM »

I've got a move to Alaska coming up and I'm pulling a horse trailer. I do have quite a bit of clearance and my tailgate can drop down without hitting. Why will I drop the tailgate? I'm putting the R in the bed if the truck and I'm trying to keep the trailer with enough room to sleep in it overnight.

I've got a 5.5' bed and my tailgate will only close half way. I could opt to wrap my babel over the latch rod but that puts excessive stress on the cable. I did some research and they make rods that keep your tailgate partially open. Why would I want to pay $40 for something that could be easy to build.

I used scrap angle iron from an old horse trailer sliding door, an old truck hitch pin that I cut down and some paint. The obvious tools were a couple of drill bits, welder and angle grinder with various wheels.

I attach the bed side first and as I pull against it to keep pressure I'll raise the gate to latch it. To disconnect I just pull the handle like normal. It fits very well. (I added some weld at the rod tip to act as a stop so it doesn't slip out somehow)

I've only got one side done for right now. Lots of other stuff came up. If you don't care about ease of disconnecting you could drill one hole and remove the stock rod on the bed and slide the bar through and reinstall the rod.

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Pricecheck · « **Reply #1 on:** August 18, 2014, 12:53:39 AM »

Also, the overall length of the piece I used was 12.75". The angle of the tailgate is 54*.

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rk88r · « **Reply #2 on:** August 18, 2014, 07:29:36 AM »

Looks good, better that a strap.

Tbone07 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 18, 2014, 08:50:08 AM »

Damn OK to AK that's a haul! What are you towing it with?

Pricecheck · « **Reply #4 on:** August 18, 2014, 08:54:13 AM »

To be specific it's Kansas City to Anchorage. 07 F150 FX4 with 35's. 12' stock trailer loaded with atv, hazmat stuff, all lawn stuff, all tools and some other things.

It does help having the 5.4l but that trailer being so tall drags so much.

Another thing that helped was the bigger drop shank, a weight distribution hitch and the sway control. I can load and pull 3 horses with only .5" of squat.

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Pricecheck · « **Reply #5 on:** August 18, 2014, 08:55:06 AM »

Here it is....

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rablack21 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 18, 2014, 09:03:56 AM »

Not too shabby, man. Hey, if you can buy what you want, make it!

Pricecheck · « **Reply #7 on:** August 18, 2014, 09:09:53 AM »

Thanks. I'm all about that. Here's another example. It's a swing out saddle rack/tack holder.

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Pricecheck · « **Reply #8 on:** August 18, 2014, 09:11:07 AM »

Kind of a bad picture but one was after I sprayed the liner on it and the other was Saturday at the horse show with only my saddle on it.

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08IRS · « **Reply #9 on:** August 18, 2014, 09:35:31 AM »

I think I need to make/buy something like that for my truck. My R does not fit in the back either and I was trying to figure out how to pull a small trailer with one in the bed.

BTW, I love my weight distributing hitch. It's amazing what such a simple piece of equipment can do. Plus when your totally over loaded you can make it still look like your level.

Tbone07 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 18, 2014, 09:59:42 AM »

Have you ever tried airbags? My buddy uses them in his 1500 and makes it feel like a 3500 with only 15-20 lbs of air

Pricecheck · « **Reply #11 on:** August 18, 2014, 11:45:43 AM »

I wanted air but I went the cheap route with hellwig helper springs. They are alright but I can't stand u-bolts jingling when I'm empty.

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JesseA420 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 18, 2014, 05:19:13 PM »

Pricecheck · « **Reply #13 on:** August 18, 2014, 06:23:35 PM »

Ha! My wife surprised me with this one. Can't complain. Since I've owned it ive done a few things to it; one being the tires and wheels.

It also fits in the garage which is a plus. Too bad I'm going from a three car to a small one car in Alaska. Sucks...

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Hawaiiysr · « **Reply #14 on:** August 18, 2014, 10:54:41 PM »

I like this. I use a bed extender when hauling my quad. I pull my R all the way to the bed of the tail gate. It creates a lot of room behind the cab for all my gear. I also seen this torsion bar thing that makes closing the gate real easy. Sorry abit off topic.

Good job buddy!