outathere
New Member
Hi there,
First posting but have spent many many hours reading about FWC's before finally ordering one. I will get it next month. As the title notes, I'm looking for opinions/guidance on whether or not to leave my tailgate on of to take it off when I pick up my new Hawk. It's be going on a F150 supercrew with 5'8" box. The truck is new, I opted for the shorter wheel base knowing it wouldn't be as ideal for the Hawk.
The Hawk will over the bed by about 10".
I have asked the tailgate question to several people at FWC and have gotten varying answers. Everything from one person downright not recommending the Hawk with a 5'8" bed to most saying there's absolutely nothing to worry about with the overhang (supported or unsupported). Since the general census was that the Hawk is okay on my truck I went with it. A couple of people recommended the tailgate stay on, others said it makes no difference. So I can only assume it's not required to support the load for those last 10".
So it's up to me what I prefer. I would prefer no tailgate and here's my pros/cons for that decision -
Pros - 80lbs less behind the rear axle, no risk of road damage to tailgate
Cons - In the back of my mind I think it might provide some support, the tailgate comes out farther than the camper so provides a bit of a step
FWC sent me some pics of a very similar setup as what I will have without tailgates (in fact almost identical since I have a new FX4) and I found a couple on the internet with tailgate on I don't mind the look without the tailgate. Being a structural guy though, I still wonder if that little cantilever needs to be supported. I suppose unless a couple of people jump on the very end of it, it's more than adequate unsupported.
First posting but have spent many many hours reading about FWC's before finally ordering one. I will get it next month. As the title notes, I'm looking for opinions/guidance on whether or not to leave my tailgate on of to take it off when I pick up my new Hawk. It's be going on a F150 supercrew with 5'8" box. The truck is new, I opted for the shorter wheel base knowing it wouldn't be as ideal for the Hawk.
The Hawk will over the bed by about 10".
I have asked the tailgate question to several people at FWC and have gotten varying answers. Everything from one person downright not recommending the Hawk with a 5'8" bed to most saying there's absolutely nothing to worry about with the overhang (supported or unsupported). Since the general census was that the Hawk is okay on my truck I went with it. A couple of people recommended the tailgate stay on, others said it makes no difference. So I can only assume it's not required to support the load for those last 10".
So it's up to me what I prefer. I would prefer no tailgate and here's my pros/cons for that decision -
Pros - 80lbs less behind the rear axle, no risk of road damage to tailgate
Cons - In the back of my mind I think it might provide some support, the tailgate comes out farther than the camper so provides a bit of a step
FWC sent me some pics of a very similar setup as what I will have without tailgates (in fact almost identical since I have a new FX4) and I found a couple on the internet with tailgate on I don't mind the look without the tailgate. Being a structural guy though, I still wonder if that little cantilever needs to be supported. I suppose unless a couple of people jump on the very end of it, it's more than adequate unsupported.