Tailgate Troubles

[RyanbabZ71]

Ok just wondering any of you guys have trouble opening your tail gates?  I think it has something to do with my load of dirt on monday. To open the tgate i have to push in and sorta lift up and pull the lever and itll open.  

 

Looks like I have a locking tailgate now  

[Joe C]

Ryan,

 

How much did you load ? Dirts weighs about 3000 lbs a yard.

 

Maybe the load of dirt has:

1) Got into the locking mechs?

2) Bowed the tailgate?

3) Shifted the hinge points?

4) Shifted the (3) bolts the keep the handle aligned?

 

Just a few thoughts  ???

 

Post your findings.

[RyanbabZ71]

Half a yard.  I didnt know the weight ratings (thanks).  I know it did weigh alot (i had to unload it all   )

 

It didnt bow the tailgate (not that much was against the tailgate).  

 

I was just outside and cleaned all the dirt from the crevises around the tailgate and it seems to be working much better again.

[Joe C]

Ryan,

 

Glad to hear its OK. It sounded to me like just dirt in the wrong areas. :thumb:

[JimG]

Hey Ryan ... it's better than having a tailgate that won't stay closed despite the power lock on there that should keep it shut.  Hope you sprayed the locks with WD-40 or something, otherwise you'll end up where I was.

[RyanbabZ71]

I WHITE LITHIUM GREASE EVERYTHING (sorry bout the caps i had lock on)

[99silveradoz71]

I WHITE LITHIUM GREASE EVERYTHING (sorry bout the caps i had lock on)

Always have several cans and some silicone lubricant on-hand courtesy of Home Depot.

[Firetiger(MN)]

Did you try taking the tailgate completely off and checking the round hinges in the corners of the box to see if there was any dirt build-up in there?  

 

???

[RyanbabZ71]

no i didnt.  good idea though thanks

[timk49]

Well since tailgates are the subject I thought I'd tell you about my worst tailgate instance.

 

I owned a 1972 Dodge camper special many years ago It was a really heavy duty truck by todays standards. I loved the 440 motor and it towed my Road Ranger with ease. The tailgate was a little bowed but had never cousen me much concern. I was sitting at a stop light at the busiest intersection in town . The left turn signal  turned green and I proceeded to punch it through the intersection. . Thats when I heard a loud crash behind my truck. The tailgate fell off right in the middle of the street. I had to park and wade through the traffic to retreive it.

Very embarrassing.

[99silveradoz71]

The tailgate fell off right in the middle of the street. I had to park and wade through the traffic to retreive it.

Very embarrassing.

That would be a tough walk.  Had me worried when I saw "camper" at the beginning though