Avalanche tailgate not closing?

murphyrulez · December 26, 2001

I really have to slam the tailgate to get it to latch. My wife has had the thing drop open on her when she starts driving. I have told her to double check and pull on it when she shuts it, but you know how it goes.

Is it supposed to take so much force to get the latches to hold? Sometimes the right side will latch, but the left doesn't.

thanks

Paul

chevy4x4trucks · December 26, 2001

Did it just start acting up or has it been like this since day one? I would think that if it just started happening it's because of the cold weater. If this has always been like this I would take it to the dealer and have them adjust the latch on it. My truck tailgate closes very smoothly, they shouldn't take too much effort to close.

Shaners · December 26, 2001

You probably need to adjust the latch...

The new Avs have a rubber bedliner in them don't they?? Check to make sure it isn't being pinched in the bottom of the tailgate...

BgBlkAvalanche · December 26, 2001

Ah,.. this must be another classic Avalanche issue.

Mine has done it three times! Now I slam the tailgate to make sure it is shut. The first time it happened was right after I cranked up the torsion bars, and was on my way to the tire place for an alignment. In my sub it went BAMB! I amost did my pants! And that was in July, so it was warm. I think the seals are just real tight, and assume they will take a set and close easier later.

EDZ Z71 · December 26, 2001

When I was looking at the Avs, that was one of the things that I looked at on them. They all have to be slammed to get them to close. I have had my tail gate on my Av come open once leaving the house and yes it is pretty scary when not expecting it to happen. I have found that if you close the gate and then try to lock it, it won`t completly lock if not closed all the way. I keep mine locked anyway, no telling what it would cost to replace one of those bed covers.

gandolphxx · December 26, 2001

My experience with the tailgate mirrors the above - I have found that the best way to seal the midgate is to have the tailgate open. I always lock the tailgate, that confirms that it is closed. I think that it is a function of the sealed box.

my $.02

BTW: you are right about the cost - and they are backordered for ever...

Carrierdealer · December 27, 2001

I have to slam mine also.

Now that it is real cold I have to slam it harder.

But I think if it didn't close tight it would leak in the rain.

I always pull on it to check.

Except yeaterday - yes on the way to moms with all the Christmas presents in the back. Pop it came open.

Didn't loose anything, just scared me.

I added a magnetic reed switch to my tail gate.

Since you cant see it I was afraid I would forget and take off with it open and loose something.

I tied the reed switch into the driver doors pin switch.

If it is open or comes open going down the road my dome light comes on a reminder.

84john · December 27, 2001

when i was looking at avs at the dealers i noticed that right away! this is the reason!!!!! when you have your bed cover on and midgate closed the bed is some what air tight, when you close the gate, one are pushing air into the bed space, it has no easy way to escape and creates momentary air resistance on your gate. thats why you have to slam it!

picked up mine today