Protect tailgate from forklifts

DrScience · May 17, 2020

Hey, new to this forum. I’ve had a few Silverados and a Colorado over the years and Just picked up a 2020 Silverado. I use this it to pick up pallets of grain once week or so. Inevitably the new kid at the warehouse will bump the forklift into the tailgate resulting in a bunch of ugly dents generally not worth fixing but really annoying.

I’ve searched over the years but never found any type of mod to protect the tailgate so thinking of diy-ing it. Something like a length or pvc with insulation wrapped around it that can hang by straps and hooks right over the end of the tailgate when down. Or a length of 2x4 with rubber. Removable so it just sits in the bed when not in use.

anyone seen any kind of mod to protect the tailgate or made one themselves? I’d rather not have to use a trailer.

DirtyAndy · May 18, 2020

I just tell the forklift operator when to stop...

DrScience · May 18, 2020

I’ve been usually watching and guiding them from hitting the wheel wells on the much more narrow Colorado but I guess that won’t be a problem. Maybe it’s as simple as that. But seeing as they are usually somewhat or completely high I’d still like a guard lol.

topgear1224 · May 18, 2020

You can always remove the tailgate it's not that difficult.

all the other ones more than likely the forklift operator seems like I'm good and hit harder than you would if it was just your tailgate which is probably going to result in a bent tailgate instead of a dinged up tailgate.

if you're insisting on DIY and you can always split open some pool noodles and create a little bumper over the top of the entire tailgate.

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DrScience · May 18, 2020

2 minutes ago, topgear1224 said:

You can always remove the tailgate it's not that difficult.

all the other ones more than likely the forklift operator seems like I'm good and hit harder than you would if it was just your tailgate which is probably going to result in a bent tailgate instead of a dinged up tailgate.

if you're insisting on DIY and you can always split open some pool noodles and create a little bumper over the top of the entire tailgate.

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Good suggestion. Thanks

davester · May 18, 2020

If the person is ramming your truck hard enough to dent the end of the tailgate, a pool noodle isn't going to make a difference other than making the end of the tailgate more visible (which likely is a good thing anyway). You could put a strip of angle iron across the length of the tailgate, but that'll just move where the damage can happen (as then it could just push in the end of the tailgate more evenly across the tailgate, or it could do something like bend the tailgate hinges instead).

Edit: Alternately, the pool noodle is a bad thing, because it gives the operator something to aim at...

Edited May 19, 2020 by davester

gearheadesw · May 19, 2020

Scream at the idiot operator until denting stops.......

Chrisj4 · May 19, 2020

When I read this title I thought it was going to be a joke about the exhaust...haha

ericarenee · November 25, 2020

Make him pay for it. I Bet he will not hit it a second time. They load pellets of tile. Mortar and often lumber and never damage nothing on my Trucks or Vans. My thinking is personal responsibility. Tell them they hit it they buy it , if they do not like the ideal let them load it by hand.

Sorry to sound mean but its not that difficult.

but getting a metal grill type tailgate might be the best answer , Like the ones for 5th wheel hitch

eppieguy · November 25, 2020

I grew with the above, they damage it, they pay for it, it will only happen once.

Imcrazy · November 25, 2020

Take a 2x6 as wide as your tailgate and screw a 1/4” piece of plywood to it that is the same size of your tailgate plus the width of the 2x6. Then just set that on the tailgate before they load.

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redwngr · November 25, 2020

Spray in bed liner?

Plastic throw-in bed liner?

Factory painted bed floor?

Worried about bed floor scratches or just tailgate getting dented when folded down.

42" x 48" pallet (or similar)?

I've loaded 100's of pallets with similar loads and don't think I've ever hit a tailgate.

Maybe the forklift/forks are too small for the pallet size and load being handled?

It's not tough to set a pallet partway in and get another bite to push it the rest of the way -- while staying safely away from the tailgate (or bumper, if tailgate has been removed).

Edited November 25, 2020 by redwngr

Imcrazy · November 25, 2020

Spray in bed liner?
Plastic throw-in bed liner?
Factory painted bed floor?
Worried about bed floor scratches or just tailgate getting dented when folded down.
42" x 48" pallet (or similar)?

I've loaded 100's of pallets with similar loads and don't think I've ever hit a tailgate.

Maybe the forklift/forks are too small for the pallet size and load being handled?
It's not tough to set a pallet partway in and get another bite to push it the rest of the way -- while staying safely away from the tailgate (or bumper, if tailgate has been removed).

Agreed on the fact that the operator should be capable, have run lift trucks for 15+ years and never damaged a vehicle but, have seen other experienced guys do it a few times. It’s carelessness IMO not lack of skill.

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