Tailgate/ Bed Anti-Flex Contraption?

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Sep 21, 2016 | 12:24 PM

#16

EightySecond

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Joined: Apr 2016

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From: A corn field in IN.

It never physically touches with the gate up or down, close but never makes contact. I am not saying I am right, but if the bed were to flex in one direction or the other, this gadget looks like it would stop the bed from pinching the tailgate and keep it aligned.

Sep 21, 2016 | 01:27 PM

#17

EO2SeaBee

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Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 10,107

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From: Hempstead, TX

For whatever reason, it is or was supposedly only installed on the gates with the man step and striipper pole.

Sep 21, 2016 | 01:33 PM

#18

jonesark

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Joined: Jun 2016

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Just a guess but is it because maybe the "man step" removed some of the internal support of the gate and this helps to reinforce it?

Not an engineer, just a redneck.

Sep 22, 2016 | 09:05 PM

#19

Jfox860

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Joined: Sep 2016

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I'm pretty sure it keeps the gate centered when raised to keep gaps even on the sides. I don't see how it would help with flex from the step in any way.

Sep 23, 2016 | 09:45 AM

#20

brickman

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Joined: Apr 2007

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From: Southern Ontario Canada

I think its to stop the tailgate from pivoting too far downwards when there is a lot of weight on the tailgate step, & helping remove the stress from the side cables due to excess weight on the tailgate when the step is used. And/Or a safety backup if the cables broke when using the step.

Sep 23, 2016 | 12:00 PM

#21

BIGTRUCKBIGRV

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Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 1,412

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From: Corpus Christi, TX

So, what I was told years ago is that it is designed as part of the accident injury avoidance requirements for crash testing. Because of the increased weight of the tailgate due to the manstep, it prevents the tailgate from being disconnect and thrown during an accident.