Chevy Tailgate Straps

bigjeepinyj · January 13, 2004

Well as with many other chevy truck owners I had the pleasent experience of having the tailgate cables break. I took the truck to the dealership and they replaced one of the cables for free since I had put one on already (It wasnt the right size)....

So anyways... I took it back there last night to get its oil change and my truck was in the back for over an hour.... I was waiting patiently when the service manager came in a asked for a paint number for my truck! I thought "Great" what kid hit my truck.

He then came to me and explained that when my cables broke it bent the lower mounting hinges and the lower parts of the tailgate.

They are going to replace and PAINT the hinges and fix the bottom portion of the tailgate UNDER WARRANTY! The bill was around 400 bucks (I know that is stealership pricing) but I could not believe it.

Just for all of you that have had this happen to you there is a service letter out about the tailgate cables and they will replace them for free if you push the issue.

gmcjoe · January 13, 2004

Even the replacement cables aren't sealed properly.

I bought a new set ($19 a set from the dealer) during last winter and they are already rusting from the inside out

The next set will get a nice coating of silicone in both sides of the metal ends for good measure

bigjeepinyj · January 13, 2004

No the new ones still suck.... There is a guy on the diesel forum that is making stainless steel replacements but he is on backorder at this time. I think that they are going for around 75 Bucks a set.

lrymal · January 13, 2004

.... I was waiting patiently when the service manager came in a asked for a paint number for my truck!

In the future, I think I'd use another dealer, if the one you used was unable to get the paint code.

Chevyfreek · January 13, 2004

Can you purchase cable for the tailgates at regular parts suppliers that may be better quality? Has anyone looked into this?

JimWilson · January 13, 2004

No the new ones still suck.... There is a guy on the diesel forum that is making stainless steel replacements but he is on backorder at this time. I think that they are going for around 75 Bucks a set.

Actually, they're only $50 bucks. And IMO, well worth the price.

bigjeepinyj · January 13, 2004

.... I was waiting patiently when the service manager came in a asked for a paint number for my truck!

In the future, I think I'd use another dealer, if the one you used was unable to get the paint code.

He just came in to look it up on the computer.... Not to ask me.

bigjeepinyj · January 13, 2004

No the new ones still suck.... There is a guy on the diesel forum that is making stainless steel replacements but he is on backorder at this time. I think that they are going for around 75 Bucks a set.

Actually, they're only $50 bucks. And IMO, well worth the price.

Yeah they are... I wish I could get a set. I e-mailed him and his next production run was going to be around 75 bucks. He said that he had more in the product than he had expected.

bigdogs · January 13, 2004

bigjeepinyj,

$400?? are you kidding? I know the dealership is expensive as my scratch is going to cost like $500, but I did the same exact thing you did. I was loading my Sportsman 700 in the back of our Silverado and it snapped one cable, causing the opposite hinge to bend. Since it was out of warranty it cost me like $160 for 2 cables, a hinge and the paint and labor to fix it.

I have a trailer now but I'd like to get a ramp from USARamps that does not rest (load) the tailgate but the receiver hitch instead.

Wingnut · January 13, 2004

Got a link for them bigdogs?

I put my ATV in the back without ramps (yes, I pick it up)....If the tailgate broke, it would fall ON me.

That would be bad.

bigdogs · January 13, 2004

You lift the ATV in the back of your truck?? (Note to self, don't piss off Wingnut )

My Sportsman 700 weighs in at 740 dry so add another 20+ for gas, plus add the winch, the plow mounts, etc it is probably 780-790 before I even get on it... I heard the cables are only good for like 600lbs.

The ramps are at:

http://www.usaramp.com/

They are not cheap but look a LOT better than the rest out there and atleast for me, much easier to deal with than a trailer.

Wingnut · January 13, 2004

Hey thanks for the link

I have two sport quads.

Honda 300EX, and a KawaZuki Z400.

The Z is only around 400-430lbs wet, not the 700 lb monster that you are sporting.

I just wheelie up to the back of the truck, stop (with the quad on it's tail), get off, and drop the front end on the tailgate. Then I pick up the back of the quad, and just push it in. It takes around 15 seconds on a slow day.

Well that was a month ago anyway. I have a busted collarbone now, so I might have to start using my ramps again, at least for a while.

THE BIGPUNN · January 14, 2004

my tailgate didnt latch last year in my old truck and it went down as i was driving. thought someone rear-ended me, anyway one strap broke the other frayed. gm replaced the broke one free.

bigjeepinyj · January 14, 2004

I just thought that I would give you all an update on the tailgate straps that I am going to get when they become available.

They are called VR straps. These straps are being made by a member of the Diesel Place borad (Rick). He made one production run and had to way out the liability issues that may come about with the production of these straps.

He has applied for a buisness license and hopes to be turning these out by the end of the month. He is going to have a place to pre-order when he gets up and running.

This is a good way to support a New Buisness and a product made in the U.S.A.

Here is the link! VR Straps Discussion

bigdogs · January 14, 2004

You are not Ozzy are you

I have not used these ramps yet but they look really tough and they are all tested for load rating. The downside is that you have to leave the tailgate down when the ramp is installed (the ramp folds up tho) so for some that may not be acceptable. For me that would be OK since I need to have my tailgate down if the ATV is in there since part of the rear tires sit on it..

Those VR straps look good too. I looked at those as well, especially since the guy is only like 20 miles away from me. If I don't go with the USA Ramps, I may get them instead.

Cable is relatively cheap so it is a shame we buy a truck that costs this much and they can't put in good cables.