2012+ tailgate is not reinforced...

As soon as I bought my 2015, I ordered relentless fab's aluminum powder coated tailgate reinforcement. I went on one trip to Kahuku with the 2 bikes, and carefully loaded the bike's on the ends of the tailgate (couldn't wait for the reinforcement to come to hit the trails). Finally today I got the reinforcement in the mail and installed it. After just 1 careful transport of a few dirt bikes, my 3 week old truck already showed signs of damage. Despite what some have claimed in other threads about the newer years having reinforced tailgate, that is wrong. They are all prone to failure... if a 230lb dirtbike can do damage, think what a full grown adult can do over time putting weight on it. Pictures below of install and damage.

That bent tab you see actually resulted in a very tiny bend on my tailgate outside. It's only noticeable at extreme angles.

 

While I agree they should be made stronger, a 230lb bike is a lot heavier than a "full grown adult".

 

Agreed, what I meant was even if you don't load bikes in the back, someone weighing anything close to 200lbs could likely create damage if you always step/ sit there (which is likely more frequent than bikes are loaded for anyone)...

 

I've loaded 500 lbs bikes while stepping up into the middle of the tailgate myself weighing 265lbs and I've haven't had a problem yet.

I don't see why so many people are allegedly having trouble with the tailgate.

 

I got the reinforcement also. I put the plastic liner back on also. Did you drill the holes out for factory screws sit flush or get different screws?

 

I'm 200 lbs, and I was bending my tailgate. Lifting this and that while standing on the TG,sometimes approaching 400 lbs total. Got the Relentless re enforcement and had to bend the TG to fit it on. No problems now.

 

Dude. There's a difference between 230lbs of dead weight and 180lbs of moving weight. If a 180lb dude jumps up on the tailgate, you'll get more than 230lbs of force.

 

Lol no it isn't. I'm 6'3" 250lb.

Same. I can stand on my tailgate while loading my 400lb bike without any issues.

 

Lol you weigh more than average.


http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_weight

 

That's also based on an average height of what.. 5'8" now?

 

I had 3 guys sit on mine, probably not the best idea, but no visual signs of damage.

 

Same thing happened with mine and I had to get it fixed. Luckily a talented paintless dent repair guy should be able to remove the damage, even if it creases outward.

Kolunatic - if you want the screws to sit flush just order some extra screw like the ones that hold down the rest of the panel. Someone posted the part # in the relentless reinforcement thread

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/relentless-fabrication/319503-original-relentless-fab-tailgate-reinforcements-3.html#post9284113

 

any issues putting on that reinforced panel? everything lined up as far as the bolts and cut outs?

im considering this panel.

 

Thanks for all the info man, very informative.

I'm with the others I've loaded and unloaded multiple ATV's, dirt bikes, and all sorts of heavy ass shit into the back of my Tacomas. No issues thus far.

 

It's a weird issue. I'm around 200 lbs and load up my quad 675 lbs with me on it and never an issue with either my 10' or 14'. have also had a few people all sitting on it at the same time. I will say though if I ever did see any sign of it wanting to bend I'd be getting the reinforcement ASAP.

It's just weird that some have issues with very little weight and others have no problems at all.

 

I guarantee that many of you do have dislocated tabs/ bent cross bars if you took a peek under the plastic plate. Maybe you're just lucky enough to have had it result in no exterior damage yet...

Those cross "bars" is very thin sheet metal. I was able to easily bend that tab, and the cross bar back by hand with little effort. The tabs are in place with a rubbery glue that seems like they're made to give a little, but if you put a lot of weight on one of those cross bars that tab can easily slide out, and once a bend starts on that cross Bar I can see it slowly getting worse.

This issue has of course been discussed at length, but I just wanted to create this thread to share that in my opinion the 2012+ tailgates are not in any way reinforced. I did see rumors of that on here basing it off tailgates that were replaced by a "stronger, newer version" and that it's likely that those tailgates now come on the newer tacomas. A replaced tailgate from the factory may get an updated stronger tailgate, which would make sense that they'd use that same upgrade on the newer years to avoid more claims, but it doesn't look like that's the case.

 

Possibly, but I go out quading at least every second weekend in summer time. I would think if it has been fine for nearly 5 years of that then there is not going to be a problem. tailgate is still straight as an arrow and have never seen it so much as cup with any weight. I guess to be fair when loading a quad you have the weight of the unit spread over two tires on the tailgate and it is closer to the outsides. I think one could also argue when loading with ramps it never actually supports the entire weight of the unit either.

 

Light tailgate = super awesome mileage

 

lol that must have been what they had in mind!