How 4 cents might save you big $$$

[RyanF]

Ok, so I know a couple people have had a problem with the tailgate falling out of the left side hinge when it is down and you hit a bump. I had an expensive expirence where I had a quad in the rear of the truck, hit a bump and the tailgate fell out of the left side.. Not knowing this i kept driving, with the weight of the quad partially on the tailgate, pushing it down into the bumper.. In short the whole back of my truck needs to be repainted, and the top of my bumper needs to be replaced...
My soulution?
A standard zip tie around the left hinge of the tailgate will solve all your problems.. Its hardly noticable, easy to remove, and CHEAP.. It will keep the poorly designed hinge from costing you money..
Just thought I would share my expericence and solution.

-Ryan

[HudsonValleyTitan]

If the tailgate is FULLY open (or fully closed), I don't see how it can come out. It has to be open at a 45* angle to get it off. There shouldn't be anything else needed to keep it in place. If it's open all the way or closed all the way, it should be fine. Did you have it somehow held partially closed? If not.....there's a defect in your hinge.

[redneckpapa1996]

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

If the tailgate is FULLY open (or fully closed), I don't see how it can come out. It has to be open at a 45* angle to get it off. There shouldn't be anything else needed to keep it in place. If it's open all the way or closed all the way, it should be fine. Did you have it somehow held partially closed? If not.....there's a defect in your hinge.

What he said....

[baseballfanz]

If it's open and you drive on rough surface, that thing can bounce and come off. Had peoples reported that already. The zip tie trick been discuss before.

[RyanF]

It was all the way open..
Open yours, then lift it a little bit and start shaking it, mine will come out.. It has actually fallen out once when my friend was closing it too (dont know what the hell he did) I should have put a zip tie on it then.. Oh well..

[Bayou Titan]

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

If the tailgate is FULLY open (or fully closed), I don't see how it can come out. It has to be open at a 45* angle to get it off. There shouldn't be anything else needed to keep it in place. If it's open all the way or closed all the way, it should be fine. Did you have it somehow held partially closed? If not.....there's a defect in your hinge.

I posted this problem almost three years ago.

http://www.titantalk.com/forums/139211-post1.html

[HudsonValleyTitan]

Originally Posted by Bayou Titan

I posted this problem almost three years ago.

http://www.titantalk.com/forums/139211-post1.html

Unless it's broken though, you had to hit a bump that was big enough to force the tailgate to swing up to a 45* angle ...which can then pop out. I bet the newer trucks with the damped tailgate opener/closer would be harder to bounce like that. I've driven with mine open before but nevr on roads rough enough to do that. And it probably had an ATV in the back which would hold it down anyhow.

[loufish]

My last truck was a Ford Ranger and did that the first time I hauled bikes with t-gate in the 1/2 way position.
I fabbed a curved piece of sheetmetal to cover the slot opening, but it was removable with 2 screws in case I ever had to take off the t-gate.
That was the end of that problem...

[RyanF]

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

Unless it's broken though, you had to hit a bump that was big enough to force the tailgate to swing up to a 45* angle ...which can then pop out. I bet the newer trucks with the damped tailgate opener/closer would be harder to bounce like that. I've driven with mine open before but nevr on roads rough enough to do that. And it probably had an ATV in the back which would hold it down anyhow.

Actually my tailgate seems like it closes easier than my friends '04 that didnt have the dampened and spring assisted gate..