Brand new 2011 - just bent the tailgate!

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/29117-weak-tailgate-reinforcement-solution.html

When I pick up my Tacoma, this is one of the mods I am considering doing. I would have it blacked out of course.

 

Re-inforced my tailgate with a steel plate & some electrical conduit support channel, all inside/underneath the plastic cover, can't see anything.
Also use easily removable temporary chains with quick links for support when loading (cause dem cables suk).
Cost about $70 in material..
Load a 700lb Harley with my 200lb butt on top, straight up the center with no problems at all..

 

Welcome to TW

Sorry to hear about your troubles

 

That's some pretty stupid shit!!
How does that scientific nonsense help anyone out?

 

I was concerned about my tailgate awhile back so I searched for people who were making things to help and found a thread with pics in it. I do not remember the thread or who it was. I only saved the pics to reference when I went to make mine. Here they are, the flat part and cap are 2 pieces.

 

I'm gonna try this "mod" on my neighbors tailgate..she just got a 11' Tacoma a few months back.

 

Relentless posted the diagram to have one made up. its in the link I mentioned above.

 

Sure would like to see some, because something's not right.

 

yeah wtf? i ride my 650lb + atv into my bed all the time with me on it (820lbs) AND i have the "weak" 06 gate and i've never had any problems, knock on wood

 

You weigh 820 pounds? Good god man!

 

Just someone being an asshole thats all. Ignore them and they'll go away

 

The wheels on a quad are not in the center of the tailgate where the weak point is. Ramp distributes the weight.

 

i NEED TO SEE SOME PICTURES TO REALLY BELIEVE THIS. POSSIBLE-YES, PROBABLE-PROBABLY NOT.

Here is a link that solved problems in the past unfortunately no longer available.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174293&highlight=gater

keep us informed
QUE BALL

 

I removed my tailgate for load/unload this spring when I did my landscaping after reading about other people bending their tailgates. Had to load/unload 3 trees with big rootballs so I didn't even take the chance ... I would have been seriously pissed.

There is a TSB for this though and it's covered under warranty. I'm not sure what the magic words are though to get them to give up the goodies.

 

Our 2nd gen tailgates are a joke. Mine bent from loading/unloading a dirtbike (250lbs). Any substantial amount of weight placed upon the center risks failure. When other riders see my v'ed out tailgate the reaction is always the same... "boy they don't make them like they used to". That said my truck has been very good to me aside from some engineering flaws such as this one. This problem alone has cost toyota many sales.

Many members from this forum have come up with some great solutions but mine is too far gone to be worth fixing. It has started to crack the exterior sheet metal from all the flexing. I was hoping somebody would offer an aftermarket replacement but have not been able to find one yet.