I'm screwed ( tailgate latch )

Kdiamond · March 11, 2019

Went out today and my tailgate latch is broke. Key was in locked position. I unlocked it and latch doesn't feel to be doing anything. Now lock won't turn at all. I have my trifold hard cover on and can't get to the back of the tailgate to work on the latch. I REALLY don't want to destroy my cover. It's way to expensive. Anyone else run into this? Forgot to add..... 2014 gmc 1500 with tailgate lock and back up camera.

jaxcam02 · March 11, 2019

Well that sucks. Can you call pop a lock and see if they can work on a tailgate? Maybe they can release the actually latching mechanism.

midwestdenaliguy · March 11, 2019

My only suggestion would be to drill and/or cut into the handle itself to be able to pull the rods that actuate the tailgate latch (I believe there's one coming from each side - 2 total). Not sure of exact locations on the handle of where to drill, but it's not thick and you could safely do it (slowly) without damaging any internal components. If your truck is a daily driver you'll obviously want to order a new tailgate handle ahead of time before jumping into this. OEM handles are all over eBay for $50-60. Good luck, I'd be in the same boat with my cover. No way to access the bed of the truck without seriously damaging the cover.

Racindave · March 11, 2019

Coat hanger to pull open latch on bed cover? Not sure what type of bed cover but seems doable my backflip.

JimCost2014 · March 11, 2019

15 hours ago, Kdiamond said:

Went out today and my tailgate latch is broke. Key was in locked position. I unlocked it and latch doesn't feel to be doing anything. Now lock won't turn at all. I have my trifold hard cover on and can't get to the back of the tailgate to work on the latch. I REALLY don't want to destroy my cover. It's way to expensive. Anyone else run into this? Forgot to add..... 2014 gmc 1500 with tailgate lock and back up camera.

Sorry for the late response, can you post picture of what your handle looks like now? What you will try to attempt is to move the mechanism that the rods are attached too. The rods are stacked with one on top of the other (not touching) and controlled by a lever that rotates clockwise when the left side the handle is pulled and pushes against it. So, if you could remove the just the handle (not the body), or pry it out to see the lever on the left hand side (facing tail gate), then push it up and too the left, should move rods to unlock (open) it.

midwestdenaliguy · March 11, 2019

Carparts.com has some good front and back photos of the handle. Looks like if you were to drill/cut, the lower left corner is the spot to do it (looking at it from the outside). Nothing is behind it and it will get you direct access to one of the actuator rods. If your handle is not working either a rod popped off (rare) or something is broken and you need a new handle anyway. Check out the pics on their website:

https://www.carparts.com/details/GMC/Sierra_1500/Replacement/Tailgate_Handle/2014/SLE/REPC580753.html?TID=gglpla&origin=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjpjkBRDRARIsAKv-0O0kT3vJBo387OffWBoiCldke1-2_i64iuhmu9M5Enjz40l0t18GAiAaAl0IEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds