Notices
2017 - 2022 Super Duty The 2017-2022 Ford F250, F350, F450, F550 & F600 Super Duty Pickup and Chassis Cab
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Tailgate issues

Old Dec 13, 2018 | 11:11 AM
  #1  
claf's Avatar
claf
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 230
Likes: 18
Tailgate issues

This morning on my way to work my tailgate mysteriously opened and I lost a box of Christmas presents headed to UPS. I don't know if this is the same issue as previously reported (I don't recall complains of the tailgate opening from a moving vehicle) or something about the keyfob in my pocket. Regardless, I can't allow this to happen again.

Has anyone ever rigged up a mechanical lock for the tailgate? I'm thinking of running a butterfly anchor into the unused bed extender hole and roping that off to the boxlink anchor. Any other ideas?
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2018 | 11:23 AM
  #2  
Tricon's Avatar
Tricon
Logistics Pro
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 51
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by claf
This morning on my way to work my tailgate mysteriously opened and I lost a box of Christmas presents headed to UPS. I don't know if this is the same issue as previously reported (I don't recall complains of the tailgate opening from a moving vehicle) or something about the keyfob in my pocket. Regardless, I can't allow this to happen again.

Has anyone ever rigged up a mechanical lock for the tailgate? I'm thinking of running a butterfly anchor into the unused bed extender hole and roping that off to the boxlink anchor. Any other ideas?
Do a search here and there's lots of complaints about it just opening on its own. Its a stupid feature. Some have tied it off, others have just unplugged the actuator so you can't accidently open it no matter what.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2018 | 11:23 AM
  #3  
wicked 2018's Avatar
wicked 2018
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 9
It shouldn't allow it to open while driving - via the key fob or panel button. So sounds like the mystery opening we've read on other threads. While anchoring it will stop it from happening, its a bummer if it cannot be fixed. That one time you forget to anchor it and you may lose stuff again or in my case the entire tailgate.

I am not sure if it happened to me or if someone was a good thief. Have a topper on my bed and my tailgate got stolen. No damage to vehicle or topper, so always left me wondering if it did a mystery drop and someone jumped at the opportunity.

For those wondering a platinum 350 tailgate with the ladder, camera and all the bells and whistles was written up for ~$5k to replace from my insurance company. The part number for the ladder alone was $980. Crazy.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2018 | 01:17 PM
  #4  
Lost me beer's Avatar
Lost me beer
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 142
Likes: 11
From: Mickey Town
Originally Posted by Tricon
Do a search here and there's lots of complaints about it just opening on its own. Its a stupid feature. Some have tied it off, others have just unplugged the actuator so you can't accidently open it no matter what.
Not a "stupid feature" at all, when it works correctly. Absolutely love it when hooking up my 5er. I can get close with the gate closed so I can use the camera to see. Then drop it and continue visually when close to the hitch. A very convenient feature.
For the record, mine works fine with 6k on the clock.
Troy
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2018 | 01:22 PM
  #5  
delorenzomp's Avatar
delorenzomp
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 817
Likes: 18
I took Tricon's comment as 'the ability to open it remotely' is the 'stupid feature', if so, Tricon, I agree...cameras can be had without that feature...
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2018 | 01:51 PM
  #6  
Lost me beer's Avatar
Lost me beer
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 142
Likes: 11
From: Mickey Town
Again, I dissagree. Having the camera is not the issue. Being able to push the button and release the gate so it falls and I can continue without stopping is a big bonus. Having to stop, put in park, apply ebrake, get out, lower gate, get back in, put in R, release brake, and contue was fun years ago.
Troy
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2018 | 02:05 PM
  #7  
delorenzomp's Avatar
delorenzomp
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 817
Likes: 18
Originally Posted by Lost me beer
Again, I dissagree. Having the camera is not the issue. Being able to push the button and release the gate so it falls and I can continue without stopping is a big bonus. Having to stop, put in park, apply ebrake, get out, lower gate, get back in, put in R, release brake, and contue was fun years ago.
Troy
Sorry, I misunderstood, but I am good to get out and turn a key.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2018 | 03:25 PM
  #8  
claf's Avatar
claf
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 230
Likes: 18
I guess I assumed the tailgate wouldn't drop remotely while the transmission is in drive, but hey if it's just going to be random anyway, why not.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Dec 13, 2018 | 04:03 PM
  #9  
mhoefer's Avatar
mhoefer
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 12
From: BC Canada
There is no key unlock on my tailgate, atleast if there is I have never used it, so if you disconnect the actuator, your fubar'red for letting down the gate from the button on the gate? I am on my 3rd winter, 42,000 Km, never have I had a mysterious drop of the gate, I have hit the button, and reconsidered because the garage door was still down, but never unexplained. Like the doors, it would actually be really good to have a "door adjar" alarm on the dash so you know the gate went down. then you would know to at least look..... With my cover on the box, I cant see if the gate is down....
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2018 | 04:43 PM
  #10  
Mixerman90's Avatar
Mixerman90
Senior User
5 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by claf
I guess I assumed the tailgate wouldn't drop remotely while the transmission is in drive, but hey if it's just going to be random anyway, why not.
It's not whether or not the tailgate is allowed to drop when the truck is moving (you actually can't drop it with the doors locked either), it's a short caused by water in a wiring harness connector under the bed of the truck. Gremlins like that pay no attention to rules... The service bulletin for this problem is to replace the whole wiring harness. Mine is in the shop for just that procedure now.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2018 | 04:57 PM
  #11  
Tricon's Avatar
Tricon
Logistics Pro
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 51
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by Lost me beer
Again, I dissagree. Having the camera is not the issue. Being able to push the button and release the gate so it falls and I can continue without stopping is a big bonus. Having to stop, put in park, apply ebrake, get out, lower gate, get back in, put in R, release brake, and contue was fun years ago.
Troy
Haha, first world problems.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2018 | 06:52 PM
  #12  
Lost me beer's Avatar
Lost me beer
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 142
Likes: 11
From: Mickey Town
Originally Posted by Tricon
Haha, first world problems.
true statement! Remember when it was no big deal to go out and lock in?! Geez, I would have to put my latte down now.
Troy
 
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2018 | 07:47 AM
  #13  
Henry16414's Avatar
Henry16414
5th Wheeling
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
There’re several previous strings on this issue. Water is getting into the connector next to the spare tire. Unplugging the connector, letting it dry, and filling with dielectric grease fixed the problem. Haven’t had this happen since doing that.
 
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2018 | 11:44 AM
  #14  
Mixerman90's Avatar
Mixerman90
Senior User
5 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Mixerman90
It's not whether or not the tailgate is allowed to drop when the truck is moving (you actually can't drop it with the doors locked either), it's a short caused by water in a wiring harness connector under the bed of the truck. Gremlins like that pay no attention to rules... The service bulletin for this problem is to replace the whole wiring harness. Mine is in the shop for just that procedure now.
Going to pick it up now. They said they checked all the connectors and they were all tight and dry, so they couldn't replace the wiring harness under warranty. It's only happened about 4 times in 2 years so my issue must be something else... Racking my brain trying to figure out what might have been a common denominator each time it happened.
 
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2018 | 01:21 PM
  #15  
claf's Avatar
claf
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 230
Likes: 18
Well, here's how it's going to be until I can crawl under there.

 
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:50 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE