Tailgate removal questions

So I currently have a Wilco Tiregate on my Tacoma, been on there for about 6 years. I'm wanting to go on a 3 month road trip this Summer with a hitch mounted motorcycle coming along. The tailgate swing interferes with this obviously if I want to open the gate and not remove the bike.

I've been looking at buying a used OEM tailgate for the trip, but I'd rather find a cheaper alternative, even simply removing the tailgate altogether. I will be building a custom storage box for the back, so cargo containment isn't an issue, neither is the mileage drop from the removal.

My main concern is that I've heard in the past that running a truck for a significant time w/o a tailgate can cause flexing issues and distort the alignment of a truck bed. Is this true with a 2nd gen Tacoma bed? I will not be doing any severe driving, 4-5 miles down some bumpy forest service roads in Idaho will be about the worst of it.

Really just want to be sure to not cause any long term damage to the truck bed by driving it for 4000 miles without a tailgate.

Any knowledge is greatly appreciated!

-Raymond

 

The tailgate is not really structural in that way. That said, our truck bed sides are pretty flimsy, so if you are carrying a heavy topper or the likes, adding stiffeners is a good idea. However, that is not what you are describing. Personally I'd pull the tail gate and not give it a second thought.

 

I agree with this sentiment.

 

same, pull it. I think the biggest worry is the side of the beds spreading from some with heavy toppers, as noted above. I dont see anything on the tailgate that adds to the strength of the width. The way it latches it still has left/right degrees of freedom.
Im more concerned putting a hitch mounted motorcycle on the back, maybe thats another thread. Good luck