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Tailgate wont open

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Old Apr 3, 2019 | 11:07 PM
  #1  
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Tailgate wont open

Ok.... this sucks! I can hear the actuators clicking, but the tailgate wont release. To make things suck even harder.... my Bakflip bedcover is in place so there’s no getting in. I’ve tried pushing on the corners of the tailgate. I’ve tried pulling extra hard on the handle. Cussing at it didn’t work... even tried asking nicely... nothing.

The way I see it, my options are a taking 6” hole saw through the side of the bed. Saws-all my way through the bedcover or take a torch to the tailgate, but those sound a tad bit extreme. Looking for more rational suggestions. Help.....

-Dave
 
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Old Apr 4, 2019 | 04:53 AM
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Been there, done that - got the t-shirt. I had the same problem after some Line-X over-spray on my actuator.
  • Grab a wire coat-hanger and fashion a small hook with about 15" of the extra wire as the "handle".
  • Gently lift the bakflip, at the first hinge point, and work the coat-hanger to the snag the tonneau release cable (on the rear tonneau panel). I used a screwdriver to start and then work in a wooden dowel to help lift the tonneau while fishing the hanger in.
  • It takes a few minutes, but you can snag the pull cable and release your tonneau.
Good Luck!
 
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Old Apr 4, 2019 | 06:27 AM
  #3  
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I'd be going to see the dealer and let them fix it....it's a warranty issue!
 
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Old Apr 4, 2019 | 07:03 AM
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I’d try to get the cover open with a clothes hanger before taking it in.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2019 | 07:34 AM
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From: Lost in the Ozone....
I agree with trying the clothes hanger/fish tape method. Had mine do the same. Used this method to release my cover. Then fixed the tailgate release issue. Dealer would just screw **** up.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2019 | 07:41 AM
  #6  
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Was it cold out yesterday? I used to have that problem with my BakFlip G2 on my RAM. The seal on the bakflip would freeze to the tailgate, causing exactly what you describe, you can feel/hear the latches releasing, but no amount of tugging would drop the tailgate. After I figured out what was going on, I carried one of these in the truck:



Used it to gently break the ice between the seal and the tailgate, then it would open. I'd have to do it every morning before crossing the border when I was working a client site just over in Detroit.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2019 | 10:26 AM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by h20camper
I agree with trying the clothes hanger/fish tape method. Had mine do the same. Used this method to release my cover. Then fixed the tailgate release issue. Dealer would just screw **** up.
^^^ This.

Unless your bakflip is warrantied by the dealership, I'd definitely work to get it open yourself. My local dealer, which I'll never talk to again, would have taken pliers, a hacksaw and a blowtorch to my backflip for sure.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2019 | 04:29 PM
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Thanks for the suggestions guys! Happy to say I didn't have to bust out the plasma-cutter.
I was running some errands and decided to hit a backroad with some train tracks. I squared the truck up with the tracks.... nailed the gas and hit'em at about 45mph. Gave the truck a good solid jolt. Got to my destination and the tailgate opened as it should. I also confirmed that my Super Duty doesn't land as nearly as nice as my Raptor does. But we knew that already.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2019 | 06:47 PM
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This happened to me one time. Had to press the button on the tailgate release and push then pull real quick. Took a couple times to get it timed right. It was right after the cover was installed, cold and i wasnt thinking and closed tailgate then closed cover...lol.
 
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Old Apr 5, 2019 | 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Apex Ace
Thanks for the suggestions guys! Happy to say I didn't have to bust out the plasma-cutter.
I was running some errands and decided to hit a backroad with some train tracks. I squared the truck up with the tracks.... nailed the gas and hit'em at about 45mph. Gave the truck a good solid jolt. Got to my destination and the tailgate opened as it should. I also confirmed that my Super Duty doesn't land as nearly as nice as my Raptor does. But we knew that already.
LOL at this.
 
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