It's happened to me on 3 occasions. Each time fob was in my pocket. I now throw my keys in the dash tray as soon as I get seated. Hasn't opened unintentionally since.

 

I was told by dealer, if the wire is clipped the lock will not work at all. tailgate will stay locked, up or down.

 

Fairly simple to wire in an override switch. Could even use an upfitter to make a "tailgate permissive" or "tailgate override" switch. It is just a 12v line that runs to the latch mechanism. It runs through a connector that is accessible in the wires just behind the spare (and designed to be routinely disconnected when removing the tailgate). I can tell you that if you are removing the tailgate (say for a truck camper) and disconnect that connector with the tailgate up, it will not open until you climb back under there and reconnect it. (only make that mistake twice in a row).


Find the release signal line, clip it, and place a switch in the line. Now, the tailgate will only open when the switch is shut. If the switch is open, the latch will not operate. If you use an upfitter, add a standard relay and run the line to the N.O. contacts for a "tailgate permissive" switch, or the N.C. contacts for a "tailgate override" switch. You could use any switch/upfitter and just keep the switch in the open position when you want double insurance the tailgate won't open.


Mine has not (knock on wood) opened on its own, but I'm thinking of wiring this up as an override switch just as extra insurance (and would better prevent tailgate theft).

 

Just what I've been saying https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...its-own-4.html

 

Mine opened twice on me. Upon reflection both times the key fob was in my pocket. Not saying all instances were due to this, but I would wager most were.


Sam

 

I like that idea. Thank you. I didn't have my truck when I mentioned the "wire clipping". Once I took delivery I realized releasing the latch and opening were one and the same (thus no wire clipping). An over-ride like you described is very doable and sensible.

 

How about being a real trooper (lol) and posting photos and/or description when you identify the correct wire for an inline on/off switch. Mine has not opened on its own, but this worthless feature is the only one which just plain irks me. I haven't looked yet, but I'm hoping I can locate the kill-switch behind the fuel door ... and I'm also planning on adding a lock cylinder to that door. Thanks in advance!

 

Mine has opened twice. This last time I determined that I bumped the tailgate button while reaching for the E brake release. I had the truck in reverse and the rear camera was on when I pulled the brake release. Watched the tailgate come down on the screen. If I had not looked at the screen, I would have never known the tailgate was down. Just another possibility of how these things drop unintentionally.

 

Geezus...sissy options? Must not be able to afford them? Don't attack folks likes because you're to insecure to handle someone has something you don't. Sounds like the only thing sissy here is the way you approach your posts.

 

haven't had this happen to me until lately. Half a dozen times in a couple months now randomly

 

My tailgate released a few times on its own then the tailgate finally locked up. Turned out the tailgate actuator was faulty.

 

Happened to me last night, the keys were in the cup holder and my knee was no where near the button, guess I need to try and close it more firm!

 

Have you noticed, the electric latch on the tailgate is either open or latched. It does not almost latch and later fall. When closing the tailgate, if it doesn't latch the tailgate will IMMEDIATELY fall. I believe my problem was the switch on the dash, just above the parking brake release. I believe the jar of releasing the parking brake would cause the circuit to close in the switch, thus activating the release switch. It opened one other time that I can't explain. Truck was under carport, tailgate up. I left and when I returned, the tailgate was down.

 

my tailgate fell this morning while towing. backed in and crushed my tailgage with trailer jack. my keys are never in my pocket , only in the truck console with nothing else to bump them.

 

That just plain sucks. I would attempt a warranty issue with Ford.
Just to ensure we're all on the same page, we are talking ONLY about tailgates which can be opened remotely, correct? Or have some of you had unplanned tailgate openings with the manual latch?