Can't get tailgate open...

We unloaded a 1/2 yard of gravel Saturday and thought that I had cleared all of it from the various nooks and crannies but apparently I missed some. The tailgate closed fine but now the latch handle barely moves and I can't get the gate open.

Is there anyway to open the gate so I can clear the offending gravel?

Thanks,

Ray

 

I've never had to do so myself, but if you suspect it is a latch problem I've heard of people removing the plastic piece on the backside of the tailgate. That apparently exposes the linkage so that you can get the tailgate open and then fix whatever the problem is.

 

Try pushing the tailgate inward, and hold it in while opening the latch handle.

 

Did the tailgate close ok? If a stone got into the latches, you'd feel the resistance when you closed it.

 

Gate closed fine which was weird...

I got it apart, cleared about 10-ozs of dirt, rock, etc. from the inside. Blew it all out and added a light touch of silicone to all the moving parts. Works fine now.

Thanks to all for your suggestions.

Ray

 

Glad to hear you got it sorted out. So do you think it was just rocks wedged where they didn't belong?

 

Good thing you got it fixed. A dude I knew in high school died because he was riding in the back of someone's truck and they drove off into a lake. He couldn't get the tailgate open and drowned.

 

Good thing it all worked out!Started reading your thread and caught on to what you resolved!1/2 yard of gravel!Pics would of been something!

 

Up2NoGood: Not sure what was causing the problem. I never did find anything jammed anywhere, just started cleaning all the crud when I didn't see anything stuck anywhere. Shop-vac, blow-gun and a shot or 3 of silicone....

ODNAREM: I have Helwig 550-overloads on the rear and have hauled gravel, dirt, mulch etc. A LOT of times. The truck is an '09 TRD with the factory tow package and the only thing that I've damage is the weak ass tailgate. It's bent just a little.

Next time I load it, I'll take a photo or two....

Ray

 

I'm sure a lot of us would like to see that!I think there's a thread on the TW forum also where you can post your bed loads!LOL!Not sure but you could do a search.

 

At first I was confused by that statement but then figured truck must have either had a shell on or was flipped upside down.

 

Or he's just trolling.

 

Actually that does seem like a good possibility too... sometimes I miss the subtle things lol

 

Not trolling so much as telling an old lame joke. The eyeroll was the appropriate response.

 

Lmao

 

I knew that guys brother. He broke his neck when he fell off a ladder while picking strawberries.