Seeing things like TruckN Buddy, and a tailgate scissor step mount, that require drilling holes in the tailgate (bed side), and got to wondering just what is inside the tailgate, and if there are support brackets that would be good places to fasten things, or mechanisms that should be avoided and where they might be.

Found a site that had a parts catalog for a tailgate, and it looks like if you avoid the area right around the latch handle, and the rods to the actual latches, that there is not much else to avoid. Couldn't tell from that if there are support brackets, or if the strength of the tailgate is purely from the shape of the sheet metal... but given the loads that get loaded across the tailgate, that doesn't seem sufficient.

The mentioned items seem to just expect to fasten to sheet metal.

I'm wondering about making a (permanent) custom framework to (quick) mount stuff for tailgating, and what I should avoid or where best to fasten the framework and how.

2010 F-150 if particulars are needed.

 

Your best bet is to remove the tail gate cover and determine what you can use for your specific application.

 

I agree with Olytlr. However it's worth noting that just below the center line of the tailgate there is a reinforcement that spans the width of the tailgate. And if you look closely on the inside of the tailgate (meaning the box side) you'll see the spot welds for the reinforcement. Also at the bottom of the tailgate is a torsion rod that makes the tailgate feel lighter then it really is when lifting the gate to the closed position. If it were me I'd just look around on craigslist, up fitter companies that install utility boxes in place of the standard truck bed to see if they have any left over tailgates, and salvage yards for a complete replacement tailgate that already has the factory integrated step.

 

Thanks for the responses. At the current time, my truck is loaded with stuff that precludes me from opening the tailgate cover (I guess that is the box-side upper panel that is held in place by a few screws) to look around. In a couple weeks, I'll be able to remove it and take a look. I recall when buying the truck, that the factory step option resulted in a lumpy box-side tailgate surface, right in the center where it would be hard to avoid when loading and unloading stuff, and which would preclude having a flat surface for long loads, such as I presently have on the truck. I am hoping for a thin bracket, placed on the edges, that wouldn't cause such interference, but would give me a mount point for bulkier stuff that would be placed temporarily, but which avoid the repeated insertion and removal of sheet metal screws when individually and temporarily mounting the bulkier stuff. This could potentially be as simple as a C-channel attached to each edge of the box-side of the tailgate... but far enough in to avoid the latching mechanisms, and mounted "sturdily"... perhaps to the reinforcement bar mentioned? Or would it be better to avoid weakening that with holes?

 

Yes the tailgates that were assembled with the step had the handle mounted to the inside of the tailgate, resulting in a lumpy raised section. However that handle and the large plastic cover can be removed and your smaller stamped steel access cover can then be installed giving you the flat surface that you desire.

 

I did exactly that for the same reason. I didn't like how the handle stuck up so far making it difficult to load plywood, drywall, etc. I think I paid $65 for a new access cover that replaced the handle. It was worth every penny.