When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'm liking my new KR, but I would much rather have a manual release latch for the tailgate. Is an electronic release REALLY a major convenience? Am I going to approach my truck with a humongous load and need the tailgate opened before I reach it? And if so, how the heck would I operate the keyfob? I now wonder if there is a single wire in the tailgate harness which could have an inline on/off switch added so I can disable the release until I want it. Of course, the dadburn computer will probably warn me continuously of an electrical failure when I do turn off (disable) the tailgate. Help me turn off my tailgate without unplugging it. Hmmm ... there are some temporary tailgate plugs in the glovebox, aren't there?
I have not had mine open as described by others here yet. As a preventive measure however I did adjust my bed cover so that it sits heavy on the top of the tailgate and it will de-latch but not open unless I pull on it by hand.
That to me represents a potential solution to the parking in a tight location scenario. The question still remains for me as to why a tailgate would open on it's own sitting in a garage. There should be no electrical activity in the circuit with the truck off. Only a remote signal could do that but I assume that unlikely unless the kids in the house are playing with the FOB. Perhaps sensitivity to stray signals?
I don't think the bed cover is a dependable solution for off road or high flex situations and of course not with a 5th wheel hookup.
I like the idea of the cut off switch assuming the trucks computer is OK with it but again if the cause of the unintentional opening is not electrical then no solution has been created.
The only predictable solution seems to be the physical restraint unless the root cause can be found.
By the way, Calfire has protected our place twice this year so far, we appreciate the work you all do.
I had problems with tailgate opening unintentionally, even while service manager and I were outside truck and both key fobs on console. The switch on dash is very sensitive and can be activated when the parking brake is released if touched at same time. If tailgate is open and put gear in reverse, the alarm will sound. Don't think alarm will sound if in any other gear. Tailgate will fall if moving slowly and activated by switch on dash, key fob. If truck is locked, tailgate will not unlock unless the button on the tailgate is pushed (at handle) and key fob is near, or, the touch pad unlocks the doors and then the 5-6 key is entered. My tailgate dropped twice causing damage to my fifth wheel camper. I secured the tailgate by installing a hitch on tailgate and in truck bed. Then I use a double ended latch to secure the tailgate. If the tailgate opens unintentionally and the double ended latch is fastened to both, then tailgate can only open a couple inches. Hope this helps. Oh, I got all parts needed from Tractor Supply.
I had problems with tailgate opening unintentionally, even while service manager and I were outside truck and both key fobs on console. The switch on dash is very sensitive and can be activated when the parking brake is released if touched at same time. If tailgate is open and put gear in reverse, the alarm will sound. Don't think alarm will sound if in any other gear. Tailgate will fall if moving slowly and activated by switch on dash, key fob. If truck is locked, tailgate will not unlock unless the button on the tailgate is pushed (at handle) and key fob is near, or, the touch pad unlocks the doors and then the 5-6 key is entered. My tailgate dropped twice causing damage to my fifth wheel camper. I secured the tailgate by installing a hitch on tailgate and in truck bed. Then I use a double ended latch to secure the tailgate. If the tailgate opens unintentionally and the double ended latch is fastened to both, then tailgate can only open a couple inches. Hope this helps. Oh, I got all parts needed from Tractor Supply.
Was reading this last night and low and behold! My tailgate was open this morning! lol I've had the truck for 4 days.
Have your dealer check the switch on the dash. I think my first switch was too sensitive and releasing the parking brake would vibrate the switch, thus closing the contacts in the switch. Replaced the switch and unintentionally opening tailgate stopped. Before repair was done, my 2017 King Ranch's tailgate opened in service bay, no one in truck, key fobs secured on console. This can be checked by unplugging the wires attached to switch. If this stops the falling tailgate then that's the defect.
I've had this happen twice now and I think I've narrowed the issue down. Still testing though. On my old truck I could close the gate one handed from the side. Lift and close from drivers side only, never opened on its own. On this truck, the 2 times its opened, i've closed it that way.
I am relearning how i close the tail now. I stand in the middle and firmly close it. When I've done that, it has NOT opened. I even have some fairly spongy weather stripping in the bed for my cover, which provides some resistance.
Have any of you been closing it one handed? I think doing so leave 1 side not completely latched, and it opens the next time the truck moves.
I haven't had any problem with accidentally releasing the tailgate.. But I do reverse my truck in to park it sometimes n the last thing I need is my daughter to accidentally press the in cab tailgate release button.. So I hooked up a insulated wire cable (like the brake cable from a trailer) w a Carabiner n added a small heavy duty hook to one of the tailgate screws. It works perfectly preventing the tailgate to open fully. I can easily take the cable off if I need to n I didn't have to drill into the tailgate
