I have a "vintage" 1996 F250 and the 5th wheel tailgate that was on the truck when I bought it finally gave up the ghost - rusted out. I tried getting one from a salvage yard but it is garbage. I'd like to get new 5th wheel hitch but don't know the best place to get it. Does anyone have a preference for an online place that carries these. I saw that Amazon and Ebay has tailgates but I don't really see what I want and want to avoid shipping back something like this. Thanks.

 

I usually only buy heavy duty truck parts from Finditparts, for my F350 I use Amazon, here is the tailgate and your future tailgate protector.

 

You can check out some online stores that specialize in truck parts like Summit Racing, CARiD, or RealTruck. They often have 5th wheel tailgates and might offer better options than Amazon or eBay. Some of these sites also have customer reviews, which can help you pick the right one. You can also try calling your local auto parts store to see if they can order one for you, which could save you the hassle of shipping it back if it’s not the right fit.