Question about remote tailgate release
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 4
From: Western New York
Ford did not do a great job with ergonomics down near the left knee. The headlight switch is harder to use. The old "pull for fog lamps" worked great, as did the chunky switch. It is hard to distinguish between the four buttons surrounding the headlight switch - fog lights, cargo lights, and rheostat dimmer. Then you have additional switches even lower. I love how they all light up, though.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
Perhaps, but curiously, GM has been making headlight switches nearly identical to our "new" switch for a few years now.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
This dash button for the tailgate has been confusing me. With all these comments I think I finally figured it out. There were times when I could lower the tailgate from the button on the dash and times when I couldn't and I couldn't figure out the pattern. It seems that you can lower it with the dash button when the doors are unlocked, but not when they are locked. That might be why you can lower it while moving slowly forward or reverse... you haven't reached the speed at which the doors automatically lock. Thanks for helping me figure this out! I read through the whole manual and it didn't even mention the button...
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 471
Likes: 4
I went to a dealer and was looking at a truck. The salesman says let me go get the key this truck was just unloaded 30 minutes ago. He is walking back and he is about 125 feet from the truck. He hits the tailgate button, the tailgate comes open like magic and as its opening it hits the cement post behind the truck.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
I went to a dealer and was looking at a truck. The salesman says let me go get the key this truck was just unloaded 30 minutes ago. He is walking back and he is about 125 feet from the truck. He hits the tailgate button, the tailgate comes open like magic and as its opening it hits the cement post behind the truck.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 784
Likes: 27
From: Toronto
I agree. It could get costly should it happen at the wrong time.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 232
Likes: 2
From: Moncks Corner
How about a safety tether. It should be simple since the tailgate is gravity driven. A software change would be nicer. Although that wouldn't help if the 4 pin trailer connector is used, since the truck doesn't monitor that one.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
The truck absolutely monitors connections to the 4-pin plug. As soon as I plug mine in, the message center announces that a trailer is connected, and that a few things won't work. If I shift into reverse, it tells me the backup beepers won't work.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
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This dash button for the tailgate has been confusing me. With all these comments I think I finally figured it out. There were times when I could lower the tailgate from the button on the dash and times when I couldn't and I couldn't figure out the pattern. It seems that you can lower it with the dash button when the doors are unlocked, but not when they are locked. That might be why you can lower it while moving slowly forward or reverse... you haven't reached the speed at which the doors automatically lock. Thanks for helping me figure this out! I read through the whole manual and it didn't even mention the button...
Mixer....if you re-read my post above.....I already stated that you can drop the gate while moving...forward or reverse...ONLY if the truck is "unlocked". Seems right...since locking the truck also technically locks the tailgate.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 232
Likes: 2
From: Moncks Corner
I like the idea of no remote release (cab or remote, only at the gate) if a trailer is connected.
The truck absolutely monitors connections to the 4-pin plug. As soon as I plug mine in, the message center announces that a trailer is connected, and that a few things won't work. If I shift into reverse, it tells me the backup beepers won't work.
The truck absolutely monitors connections to the 4-pin plug. As soon as I plug mine in, the message center announces that a trailer is connected, and that a few things won't work. If I shift into reverse, it tells me the backup beepers won't work.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
The previous generation would always shut down the sensors for the 7-pin plug.
So, it's a great little addition Ford added for 2017.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
I would like this feature. No truck has it as I'm aware. Obviously there are times you are driving with the gate down, so it would be nice if the message or warning light was not obnoxious.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
