I have this black bracket that is bolted to the back of my bed. It is located just below the tailgate and has two pieces that sit just above the bumper. Does anyone know what it is? It doesn't actually touch either the tailgate or the bumper. I also have a B&W Turnover ball installed. I can't figure it out and it is driving my crazy.

Thanks guys!

 

Your photos are so up close it's hard to tell what it is. Kind of looks like the tailgate interlock plates that are designed to keep the tailgate from moving and remain steady in place for when using the step on the step in tailgate system. But again with such up close photos I can't tell for sure.

If I am correct with my guess, the next answer is yes you can remove them......I did on my truck. It make adding a rear light bar possible as well as expedites removal of the tailgate when needed.

 

That was my first thought as well. A lift assist or tailgate support but it never actually touches the tailgate whether in the open or closed position. And it is only on the right side of the bed. A Super Duty owner not knowing what something is on his truck is like Chinese Water Torture. Another couple of days and I will probably have the entire truck disassembled in my driveway

jonrjen, do you have anything like that bolted to the back edge of your bed under the tailgate?

 

I did, but I removed it to put a LED light bar across the back under the tailgate. It is actually a two piece bracket setup. One is the piece that you show in the photo, the other is a is a narrow up right piece that would fit into the opening or valley of the piece you show. It simple keeps the tailgate from sliding when using the step tailgate step.
Did you buy your truck new or used? Could it be that the previous owner swapped out the tailgate and didn't remove this half of the bracket. Of course a dealer could have done the same thing.

 

Here is a couple of photos showing the other bracket mounted to the bottom of my tailgate (which is leaning against the wall in the garage)

 

Ah, now it makes sense. I bought the truck used and I guess the other owner took that part off. He installed the bed ball so it must of routinely removed the tailgate to pull the trailer. Thank you so much for the help. I can finally sleep at night now not trying to figure it out.

 

Not a problem, glad to help out.