Tailgate armor ?

Just to add some context to this thread. While the extra bend over the top edge of the tailgate on the KB Voodoo and Relentless caps do add a marginal amount of stiffness, we didn't personally care for how it doesn't follow the curve of the tailgate. We built our system as two pieces to give people the option to go with our ribbed skin and a KB cap if they choose to do so. At the time we design them, many people already had a KB cap and we wanted our reinforcement skin to work for those customers.

We've done a good amount of FEA (computer simulations) and real world testing to know that our cap/skin system is more than strong enough to protect your tailgate. I personally have had nearly 1000 lbs on my tailgate. I was worried the cables were going to break, but my tailgate is still perfectly straight. At one time, I regularly dropped a 300# homemade tubing bender on it, hauled 15 sticks of 12' tubing, dirt bikes, bricks and steel. My tailgate has seen a lot of use. It would have been trashed without our products. My leaf springs (even with a Wheelers 3 leaf AAL) are totally ruined, but the tailgate keeps rocking on.

All of that said, all the vendors make a great product. Each is plenty strong enough to handle the application so I don't think there is much to be gained from a test. Just pick the one you like the best and buy it.

 

In my cart on your website for my '16 Tacoma tailgate armor there is an option for "Smooth Plate: Yes/No". What does that mean?

 

It's asking whether you want the stamped reinforcement ribs or not. The "smooth" version is flat steel without the stamped ribs.

 

The curve in Mobtown's cap is what has swayed me to go that route. The others are just boxed over, and it looks funny. The bend in the cap and the tailgate plate should be more than enough for my usage (Couple dirts bikes or a gheenoe). Just waiting to see if they have any sales in the next few months before I order since I'm checking out a rear bumper as well.

 

Buy a bumper and I'll send you a cap fo free.