New to the camper thing........just purchased the following: 1994 GMC K3500 c/w towing package and full length box 1996 Vanguard 11-1/2 foot camper - very heavy. There is ~ 33 inches of camper overhang beyond truck bed. There is no tailgate on the truck and to me 33 inches is too much unsupported weight. Opinion around here is split 50 - 50 whether to use a tailgate as extra support or not.........what does the forum think? Thanks Jay