Keep tailgate down without the cables?

[SierraCamper]

Hi Everyone,

 

I apologize if this question has been addressed.  I tried various searches and I don't see an answer.

 

I have a 2023 Sierra HD 3500 dually with the MultiPro tailgate.  I load and unload an Artic Fox 1150 camper every few weeks.  I feel like I am getting too old (or too out of shape!) to remove and put back the tailgate every time.  Measurements show that the camper would fit perfectly with the tailgate down (literally one inch to spare), but the steel cables from the tailgate would hit the camper before it can be lowered fully.  

 

Question:  Can I remove the steel cables, lower the tailgate, and just leave the tailgate flat under the camper without the steel cables?  There would be no actual weight from the camper pressing on the tailgate, and I could put some foam in between the tailgate and the bottom of the trailer to hold it in place and prevent it from bouncing against the camper.  But in this case, the tailgate would only be supported by the hinges, and I am afraid that over time the hinges would bend or something else could go wrong there. 

 

Alternatively, after I lower the tailgate, remove the cables, and load up the camper, I could try to support the tailgate with some ratchet straps, and tense the ratchet straps somehow sideways around the camper to try to hold the tailgate in place against the bottom of the camper.

 

This truck has been great and I don't want to do something stupid and destroy the tailgate.  What do you think?  

 

Thank you in advance for any advice!

 

Edited October 14, 2023 by SierraCamper

[Grumpy Bear]

Pretty sure the cables ARE the stops. And no, the hinge will not stop or support the gate. Remove it. Get help if you need to but remove it. 

[diyer2]

If the cables weren't necessary they wouldn't be there. Why incur the cost if they aren't needed.

[Another JR]

9 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Pretty sure the cables ARE the stops. And no, the hinge will not stop or support the gate. Remove it. Get help if you need to but remove it. 

Yes, the cables are the stop and the load path. Without them, the mass of the tailgate, even with the torsional assisting spring, would cause it to find a “new” stop every time your truck bounces. That might be loading the hinges, hitting the sheet metal on the bumper, or whatever tries to stop it from going down first. 
 

This is a two-man tailgate. It weighs 75 lbs and is too big to get your arms around. If you ever were able to remove or install it yourself I’m impressed. 

[Another JR]

I load and unload my Four Wheel Campers pop up slide in camper about three or four times a year. If I am going to have it off the truck for only a month or two, I just drive the truck with no tailgate unless there’s some hauling that requires it. My tailgate mostly lives sealed in the padded crate except for the long winter stretch when I have the camper off from late October to early March. 
 

Edited October 15, 2023 by Another JR

[SierraCamper]

Hi Grumpy Bear, diyer2 and Another JR - thank you for your responses!  Very thoughtful and helpful.  You convinced me, I will remove the tailgate.

 

Another JR - that crate is impressive.   I suspect your garage is more organized than mine!  The best I can do when I remove my tailgate is to lean it against the wall with a piece of foam underneath and hope that the kids don't knock it down at some point. 

 

Thank you again, everyone!