Bending POS Tailgate

As the title suggests, my tailgate is a piece of shit. My 100 lb. Newfoundland alone sags the thing, big time. I've had it bent even farther hauling and loading lumber, snowmobiles, ect.

What's the deal with this? I've read the threads about tailgate reinforcement. However, I'd like to start fresh with a new tailgate before I do the reinforcement mod. What're my chances of getting this replaced by Toyota? Is there a recall or TSB? I've done some searching without much luck.

 

When I load my Atv into the back or sit on mine it feels flimsy, I've never heard of a tsb for it but I can't see them doing anything for you. They would probably just say you put too much weight on it or something. I try not to leave anything on the tailgate when transporting something that won't let the tailgate raise.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/4838-cheap-free-mods-2.html#post45520


Go down a bit I would try this one looks fairly inexpensive

 

There is a tsb... BO018-07.

Since you're past the 3yr it wouldnt be warrantied but you may be able to haggle the price a little. Otherwise you might be better off going to a salvage yard and grabbing a tailgate off an 09+ which are already reinforced.

Caveat emptor

 

Thanks for the link. That's the one I was planning on doing to a newer tailgate.

 

I didn't know the 09+ ones were stronger. I'll definitely try to find one of those, then. Thanks for the TSB info. It's good to know, even though I'm out of the warranty period.

 

That's news to me...

I already bent the tailgate on my 2012 just loading and unloading boxes of materials. It's as flimsy as all get out. I'm going to a dealer to see if I can get a new one so that I can make my own support for it while its still straight. The top edge is strong enough so it must be one of the newer reinforced gates... but the bottom edge bent.

 

How much did the boxes weigh? My friend and I were sitting on my tailgate, and didnt have a problem (Hes 275 pounds, Im 160).

 

100+ lbs. It has me wondering if the gate on my 2012 had been swapped out for an earlier model unreinforced gate.

 

I have a 2010. I've been searching for info on how much the tailgate can take, as I plan on loading my 4 wheeler using ramps.

Will 600# (ATV + me), distributed over 2 ramps positioned towards the outside to the tailgate bend it?

 

Probably not, our weight was probably just distrubuted better. I was chucking logs out of the back of my truck and stepped on it, and it made a terrible sound.

 

Probably not with a four wheeler. I believe they tend to bend when all the weight on them is centered in the middle of the tailgate.

 

Relentless Fabrication makes a tailgate reinforcement that's pretty bullet-proof. I got the steel one, but they also have it in aluminum.

 

I'm pretty sure the 09's are stronger than earlier years. I used to put a 600 lb motorcycle in the bed of mine and I had no problem pulling it up the ramp on the center of the tailgate. No flexing, creaking, etc.

 

I do it all the time no problems

 

Never had any problems with my 09 ,even had the 400ci engine in the back out of my 67 Olds slid it onto the tailgate when we unloaded it.

 

i have a new 13, i sure hope this tailgate has been improved. my quad sits on it. I did fabricate this support that mounts to the hitch to take some of the weight of the quad from the tailgate.

 

Thanks for the replies. I feel much better knowing I won't destroy my tailgate actually using it as a truck should be used.

 

Get a newer tailgate? One on my 11 seems sturdy enough and I've loaded some heavy things into the truck. They are all interchangeable, but I believe 09 was the year they got the rearview camera standard so you will have the wiring there to deal with, but it shouldn't be a issue.

 

that sucks OP I haven't had any problems with my tailgate so far and I've thrown tons of logs on it..