Anyone else have an issue with the tailgate handle?

last week I noticed my tailgate handle randomly got tough to pull. It doesn’t happen every time, but sometimes I feel like if I pull the handle he’s enough the plastic will break. Is this something I should take it to the dealer for? It’s a 2018 with only 5k miles.

 

Can’t tell how hard you have to pull but it doesn’t seem normal so I’d take it in and have it checked out. If they say it’s normal and it breaks later at least you will have it documented that you had a concern during the warranty period.

 

Take it to the dealer or remove the plastic and check it out.

 

Did you install a tonneau cover, tailgate pad, or anything near the gaps on the tailgate? If the tailgate is hard to open, push the whole tailgate towards the front bumper, then try to open it. If that fixes it, then it’s getting jammed up by something

 

Nope i haven't modded anything! I will try that though, thanks. I feel like going to the dealer for this is petty but damn, my first gens tailgate is easier to open lol

 

I’m a paramedic and our rear/side doors on ambulances are similar latching mechanisms to tailgates. Due to regulations about exhaust in patient compartments, all of the door seals for those two doors are double thickness, so we get the same problem. We often have to push the doors in as we pull the handle to prevent breaking them. Maybe my unrelated experience can help a little haha

 

Push on the sides of the bed in the corners so you don’t dent them to square them up to the tailgate as needed.

No, I’m not kidding and I’m not Smitty.