Well my tailgate fell off once again this time I got a chip on the edge and a ding. It happens when I have something in the bed pushing on it when I close it. For instance today I had a few pieces of cardboard in the bed and one piece was a little longer than the bed. Well i thought no problem I'll just close the TG on it and it'll smash it. Anyone else have this problem? Do they make any kind of aftermarket gadget to keep it on? This is the 3rd time it's come off. I should have known better, but s happens.. This is a really poor design imo, there should be a spring loaded pin or something to release it.

 

I haven't...

Maybe find a buddy or a Great dealer that will let you examine one of thiers to make sure you don't have piece parts missing or altered from yours? Or maybe you could find a blown out assembly drawing for the tailgate mechanism to maybe compare?

 

I'm not sure if I'm understanding what's happening. It's lifting off the hinge on the slotted side? If it's doing something else, I'm guessing something is not normal.

If that is what it's doing, maybe something like this would do the trick for you: www.jimmijammer.com/Product,%20GK.htm

 

go check out this site. this guy has some amazing stuff he's done on his truck. I just wish I was electrically savy enough to attempt these things.

http://members.***.net/kinzerford/F-..._Tailgate.html

make sure you look at the other mods as well

 

Thanks, I think I'll get the "gate keeper". It's got to be a lot stronger than a wire tie. Now I just have to get the damn TG fixed (ding and chip repaired). This should be on the truck to begin with, these TG's come off way too easy. Beware if you have a stuff in the bed on the right side and you try to squeeze it in with the tg it's going to pop right off and fall till the cable stops catch it.

 

Mine did it also from too much snow build-up on bumper. If it makes you feel any better, I have had dodges and chevy's in the past and they both did it from time to time. I would be interested in the tailgate keeper. Sucks when you chip and ding your tailgate. Makes me wnna cry.

 

Yea I called the local shops today (none in stock) and they said a hose clamp works great too. I'll try it and see. I'm still bummed out about it, I also have some scratches on the painted bumper from another incident. Those back up sensors didn't work very well.. I just hope they get the paint to match. If you guys use your truck bed a lot this would be something to look into, it happens way too easy..

 

The tailgate popping off when trying to push something in with the tailgate is not uncommon. Many of us have either put a heavy ty-wrap or hose clamp around the right side "hinge". It prevents the gate from popping off and makes it much tougher to steal.

 

Wow, glad I read this thread. That's pretty funny, didn't they test the design before production?

 

I got a 2005 F150, and the tailgate sticks. Happened two months after buying it. I bought some bags of salt, and it was loaded by the salesman, and he slammed the tailgate, and commented wow, that's lite for a tailgate. When I got home the holes on both sides where the latch is inside...well the holes are now bent. Why did they design it this way, when their motto is Ford tough? Anything wrong with putting the latch on the outside like they used to be, when we didn't have these problems? These trucks only get better and better, and yes, for the record, I'm hissed.

 

I like the tie wrap idea -
Mine did this the first time I went to take my in-law's to the airport (they came back though ) my father in-law tried to force the bed shut with a suitcase in the way and the gate poped off - dinged the corner.
The gate is designed to do that... just seems to be just the right angle to do it on it's own sometimes.

 

I have a hose clamp on mine.I read about that mod on another forum.I did it more as theft deterant.In some areas tailgate thefts are common.The hose clamp keeps the tailgate from falling off and it might not stop a tailgate thief but it will take him longer to get it.

 

Thanks for the info, I saw this and put a zip tie on mine right before I loaded the bed up. It will save me from a dented tailgate at some point, seeing how easily the tail gate can slide off.

 

You'd think there'd be a recall or TSB out for this type of thing.

 

Anyone know how the tailgate travel pin can be removed? I know it has a star pattern on the end but was wondering if anyone has removed theirs?