Avalanche tailgate

BgBlkAvalanche · February 11, 2002

Hey AV owners, watch your tailgates! I know mine has popped open a couple times while driving, and I guessed it was because I did not slam it hard enough ( since it is kinda air tight).

A guy at work with an AV was driving in this morning, heard the tailgate drop, like it has on him before, but when he went back to flip it up,..... it was GONE! It literally fell off! He had to go back on the street and find it. He claims the straps were on, but busted. He also had locked it the night before.

So beware.......

antig24 · February 11, 2002

that had to stink ???

Matts U.A.V. · February 11, 2002

yikes, I have noticed that also. When I have the 3 pc. tonneau cover on, you have to give it a good push to shut it. i didnt do that once and it fell back on my freakin shoulder. :angry:

MavTek · February 11, 2002

Whoah maybe GM needs to add some Hydraulics to that thing. I have Hydraulics on my Tek and the tailgate goes down slowly, then is supported by heavy gauge cable.

dreimer · February 11, 2002

I had the falling open thing happen the first time I shut it, but found that you have to give it a good shove when shutting, and the lock has seemed to hold it...

JohnC · February 12, 2002

He claims the straps were on, but busted. He also had locked it the night before.
So beware.......

hmmm. If this guy remembered correctly, then he probably had other problems. First I don't expect the straps would break from the tailgate dropping. Possible, but not likely. The other thing is locking it. From my own experience, and what I've seen others post, you can't lock the tailgate unless it's shut properly. That's how I double-check that it latched properly.

Just a thought. Either way I feel bad for the guy, and GM needs to make some changes. The latch needs more positive feel, and to require less effort.

dreimer · February 12, 2002

Anyone notice that the offwest website doesn't show the first picture? Just a thought...AND...the "Store" link is dead...

96 Vortec · February 12, 2002

First I don't expect the straps would break from the tailgate dropping. Possible, but not likely.

This happened to me last summer. I was packing my truck for a camping trip and I dropped the tailgate. The passenger side cable snapped in half. The next day, I forgot the cable was missing and let the tailgate drop and the other one busted.

Talk about a PITA, I have a tent made for the back of my truck. I had to crawl in and out without putting any weight on the tailgate.

Greg · February 12, 2002

Thanks for the heads up. I had my tailgate adjusted last week by the dealer. Now both sides latch without a herculean slam.

Shaners · February 12, 2002

I asked my buddy who just bought the 8100 Av and he said his wife had the tailgate drop on her after she was showing the truck to some friends...

I told him not to let her drive it anymore!!! LOL!!!!

(I also told him to lock it from now on too)

sirlan · February 13, 2002

I had the tailgate pop open on me when I was test driving an Avalanche. All I heard was a bang and some bouncing and didn't know what it was until I got back to the dealer.

BgBlkAvalanche · February 14, 2002

Update:

I looked at the tailgate yesterday. He claimed the straps were attached originally, but neither of them are damaged. I got the impression they broke or something, but they look OK, and so do the studs they attach to. I suspect they were not really attached.