Frakkin' Bent Tailgate Rant!

For some that may want to try some DIY reinforcement here is great place for various metals online. I have bought stuff from them for years. No minumum purchase.

http://www.onlinemetals.com/index.cfm

 

No. Just the bends in the aluminum sheet make it far stronger than the factory tailgate. I've found that no internal reinforcement is necessary. I load all kinds of heavy stuff over my tailgate without ever worrying of another bent tail gate. FYI: I bent my factory tail gate in the first month of owning my truck- that was almost 2 years ago now.

 

anybody know how to FIX a bent tailgate?!?!?! here are some pics though.....




you can blame this for it!

 

So, I was planning on buying a used 06 tonight. One of my main uses is to transport my ATV. Should I be worried about this? Maybe I should buy a truck that can be used?

How many of you put your ATVs in the back without a problem?

Thanks.

 

Thanks for posting that link; however that TSB only applies to "2005-2008 model year Tacoma vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown in this TSB."

Unless they've issued an update, that rules out the 2009 models - and implies that the tailgate has been strengthened. However, if people are still bending them, there is obviously still a problem. I've loaded my street bike and dirt bike into my '09 without any problems (so far). My street bike (Suzuki SV650) weighs just under 400 lbs. and I loaded it with an 8" wide ramp right in the middle of the tailgate while I (180 lbs) walked up another ramp on the side of the tailgate. This is the main reason I bought a truck. If the tailgate bends from this, I will be at the dealership raising h&ll until they fix it. Hopefully it will continue to handle it just like it is.

 

My Nomad 1500 weighs about 800 lbs. With me sitting on it it's well over 1000 lbs.
I don't DARE put it in the Taco!

 

Loading quads is fine because it puts the load out toward the ends of the tailgate where the load is supported by the cables.

 

.
I just bought a new 2009 Taco and need to have the rear leaf springs and tailgate issues fixed.

Just checked and have 3 mild springs and with 400 lbs in short bed .. it sets low .. will have the dealer fix this.

Many of the 2007 Tundras (I had one built in early 2007) had defective (no loads on them) tailgates too.
I will fix this on the Taco myself with some diamond plate aluminum.

Does anyone know if someone makes a "super fitting rear tailgate cover inside plate - aluminum diamond plate" .. ??

SOS
.

 

Did you see the link on the second page about the diamond plate? Second page towards the bottom.

 

You should raise hell at the dealer, the gate should be able to hold well above your bodyweight without failing. Had a pallet of straps weighing over 700 lbs resting on the tailagate before picking it up with a forklift with no bending or anything.

 

700 lbs distributed isn't nearly the same as 220 lbs. concentrated at one point (the weakest point) and when you step down there's impact loading to consider as well.

That's the thing here. I think you could put a point load of 220+ lbs on one of these tailgates gently, but if the weight was falling any distance, even just a few inches, the impact is a huge factor.

 

That's true, I've used the gate as a step many times in the past but I weigh 170lbs. I guess if you've got all that weight at the top edge of the gate it's more likely to fail. Hope the dealership fixes it under warranty for you though.

 

What you do if the dealer won't fix your bent tailgate is you take it off your truck and drive down there on a dark night and throw that SOB right through there show window. Please wear black and mask your license plate : )

 

One more thing you oversaw- Your tail gate has a sticker with your trucks VIN on it. Might wanna take that off too

 

i was just thinking switch my tailgate of a new one on another truck.... they will never know!!

 

that's sad... we feel for you... i have an 05 out of warranty (recently bought), so i can't do anything w/mine but pay $$ to reinforce it, it's crazy, a TRUCK should have a stronger tail gate, but i all the positives of the truck outweigh the negatives for sure..

 

I agree with most here, the truck should be able to hold the weight. I've had 1 tons, and bent the gate only 50lbs, but dropped 9 feet right onto it. It happens. I use my bed a lot!. mine isnt bent yet, and i have 41K on my truck so I am out of the warrenty so my 3 pack leaf springs are gonna have to cut it, and I'll just open up my tailgate use some angle iron, a few welds and clean it up. Will make it much stronger, I am all for function....

 

Just hang out at the dealer and show people the bent tailgate on a busy Saturday. I bet they take care of you really quick.

I thought 08's and up had a re-enforced tailgate?

 

That's what I thought too.

 

I got the rear leaf TSB done for free on my O6 with 59,000 on the odo.