Open tailgate detector ??
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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Open tailgate detector ??
I have a Tonneau cover and cant see if the tailgate is down
from inside the truck. Has anyone ever seen or made an open
tailgate detector ? Like a door ajar light on the dash.
daajr
from inside the truck. Has anyone ever seen or made an open
tailgate detector ? Like a door ajar light on the dash.
daajr
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
I wouldn't think it would be too hard. I'm guessing that the switches on the doors for this are a normally-open switch (with the door open), and anything that breaks the circuit (either door) turns on the light. So you might be able to just pull a door switch from a truck in the junkyard and add it into the circuit, and drill a hole in one of the bedrails for it. I'd just check the wiring diagram in a Hayne's or Chilton's first.
Jason
Jason
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
I think I'd use a lever type momentary contact switch, that is sourced 12V all the time. Then I'd put an LED on the dash that lighs up when the gate is down. You could probably even use a magenetic switch like a household alarm system uses.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Akron, OH
Originally Posted by SAlexander
Your eyes might work!! How about looking before you get in?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
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From: New Jersey
There are two easy ways of adding such a switch.
A mercury switch could be mounted in the tailgate so that it's vertical when the tailgate is down, shorting the contacts, and lighiting a bulb or an LED or something like that.
The second way is to mount a switch on the inside of the bedside in the latch area, so that the closed tailgate pushes it in when up. You'd use a normally closed switch, so when the tailgate is up it opens the switch extinguishing the bulb, or LED, or what have you.
I think it's hilarious that people suggested "looking before driving". Yes, that's almost obvious, but what about for when the tailgate gets old, worn, and "pops" open while driving? I had a friend lose a perfectly good table saw that way. One broken, ignored latch and finally the other latch said "I've had enough"!
A mercury switch could be mounted in the tailgate so that it's vertical when the tailgate is down, shorting the contacts, and lighiting a bulb or an LED or something like that.
The second way is to mount a switch on the inside of the bedside in the latch area, so that the closed tailgate pushes it in when up. You'd use a normally closed switch, so when the tailgate is up it opens the switch extinguishing the bulb, or LED, or what have you.
I think it's hilarious that people suggested "looking before driving". Yes, that's almost obvious, but what about for when the tailgate gets old, worn, and "pops" open while driving? I had a friend lose a perfectly good table saw that way. One broken, ignored latch and finally the other latch said "I've had enough"!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
The only problem with putting the switch inside the tailgate is that it makes it more difficult to remove the tailgate, unless you put some kind of quick-disconnect in, like something from an O2 sensor or any of the other sensors under the hood use. But then that will break. 
Either radio shack or the junkyard will have what you're looking for, but I'd lean towards the junkyard. At least they stuff they sell was designed to be on cars out in the weather.
Either radio shack or the junkyard will have what you're looking for, but I'd lean towards the junkyard. At least they stuff they sell was designed to be on cars out in the weather.
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Well, Since you all seem curious as to the source of my quandary.
I loaded the truck with equipment from the day camp where I had loaned
three camp stoves to melt candle wax for the children to make hand dipped candles.
I arrived home a few miles away to find the tailgate open and the camp stoves missing.
I back tracked and found them neatly stacked at a
stop sign. Someone must have stopped and put them asside for me. They
were scrached up and dented from sliding across the road but still work.
I inspected the tailgate and found that the right side latch was jammed
and was not catching when closed. a little persuasion and some lube and
it seems to work fine now. I am just a little paranoid about it popping open again.
Thanks for your responses I was thinking along the lines of the dome light
switch in the doors as a solution, but I think I want to wire it so it only works
with the key on, we often use the tailgate as a work surface with the truck not running.
daajr
I loaded the truck with equipment from the day camp where I had loaned
three camp stoves to melt candle wax for the children to make hand dipped candles.
I arrived home a few miles away to find the tailgate open and the camp stoves missing.
I back tracked and found them neatly stacked at a
stop sign. Someone must have stopped and put them asside for me. They
were scrached up and dented from sliding across the road but still work.
I inspected the tailgate and found that the right side latch was jammed
and was not catching when closed. a little persuasion and some lube and
it seems to work fine now. I am just a little paranoid about it popping open again.
Thanks for your responses I was thinking along the lines of the dome light
switch in the doors as a solution, but I think I want to wire it so it only works
with the key on, we often use the tailgate as a work surface with the truck not running.
daajr
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