Well I went to the bone yard yesterday and bought a used tailgate for $35.00...
dId some experimenting. I've made a working 5ver tailgate from a factory tailgate which retains all the original hardware and latches. The latch opens from the inside of the gate.
I still get to keep the factory style gate and body lines. I gutted the inside and inner panel.
I still want to add air louvers through it for wind and add a few supports. If everything works out, I'll then send it it out for sandblasting and then do the body and paint on the gate.
I've got some pics if anyone is interested.

I know it's not what everyone thinks of a polished aluminum 5ver gate, but then again...... I've only got $35.00 into it.

 

You want to opt leaving the louvres out - - get better fuel mileage.

 

Why would not putting louvers be BETTER for mileage?

 

Big article this month in Truck magazine and various wind tunnel studies have proven that haveing the tailgate in the raised posit inproves fuel mileage due to the turbulance it creates which inturn helps with downforce and fuel mileage.

The louvers will actually breakup the air flow and cause drag which inturn decreases the fuel mileage.

 

I don't know fellas,
Do these tests factor in air flow when hooked to a fifth-wheel camper,,,,, height of the rig,,,,,, frontal aerodynamics of the RV itself in relation to the overall unit and stuff like that? I understand the theories when referring to a solo pick-up,,,,, just wondering if there is any data on scenarios as mentioned. For example, my Cougar and some other brands have a sloping front like a wedge as opposed to a full stand-up bedroom type that has an almost straight up 90 degree wall on the front. Is that "pocket of air" that normally forms in the bed of an open truck with the tailgate up,,,,, actually higher between the top of the truck cab and the front of the RV? It would be cool to see some wind tunnel data using several 5th wheel combos and really see what is going on in the bed area.
I run with a full tailgate in the up position when towing and I really don't think you will see much difference at all with various types of tailgates as far as mileage is concerned, but it would be very interesting to find out. My thinking is that even if you have a louvered gate or no gate at all,,,,, you still have the flat front under the nose that is only a few feet behind the truck which means that the only space for any air to flow out of the bed, would be to go out the space between the rear of the truck and the under-front of the 5er. Then the question is, would the air moving down the sides of the truck allow any of that air to escape anyway? ,,,,,,,, OK,,,,,,,, now I'm getting a headache! It's not good for me to try and think this hard with my limited brain cell,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

"The louvers will actually breakup the air flow and cause drag which inturn decreases the fuel mileage."

Does that hold true when pulling a 5er?

 

RATTLINRAM
Looks like you beat me to the draw!!

 

Yeah,,,,,,,,,,,, but now I have to go lay down for a while!
I think Rammer64's idea is a neat one. I think the biggest advantage of a V-gate is not having to remember to lower the tailgate when hitching and unhitching,,,,, I'm always wondering how I will forgive myself if I ever forget! (Hopefully,,,,,,, I never will,,,,). However, I do like being able to snap my tonneau cover on once I'm unhooked and having a place to keep stuff out of sight and dry.

 

That's exactly why I did it...........

Stupid me did FORGET........ I straightened it but still noticeable.

 

I wondered the same thing about the dynamics when hooked up. However, I have heard lots of guys talk about loosing stuff out the bed with the louvered V Gate. How many miles will you put on running solo versus towing? Hmmmm!!!

I honestly don't think the difference will be that much to worry about, but why do it if it doesn't help and may make it worse.