Frakkin' Bent Tailgate Rant!

Bump, for the thread jack. have the same issue, and i'm sol on the tsb. so kinda curious if someone has fixed it themselves yet. been searching, no luck yet.

 

I think this is pretty poor on Toyota's part. If the bed can handle the weight, how do they suppose it's going to get in there? The tailgate should be stronger.

 

Can anyone confirm this?

 

We should have a meet at Toyota Headquarters in Torrance, CA and do a protest outside. That should make for a great meet. A bunch of Taco owners holding up signs saying "Recall" Rear Suspension, "Recall" Tailgate, "Recall" lurching engine/transmission, "Recall" etc... I still have to admit, I love my truck.

 

Yes but how many folks actually have a problem? It just seems like a lot but I assure you, the huge majority of Tacoma owners never experience these issues or complain about them. In other words, it wouldn't be financially feasible for Toyota to issue a recall so they just fix them as they find them.

 

Well yeah... I guess that's true. Only people who use their trucks as TRUCKS and haul stuff in the bed have anything to worry about. That just seems like a real crappy way for them to save a few bucks. If they had just made it strong enough to start with and charged $50 more for the truck, they wouldn't have to worry about recalls or TSB's for it - much less the bad publicity and loss of customer confidence/respect.

I haven't had any trouble yet, but I HATE stepping up on my tailgate when I'm loading/unloading my motorcycles and wondering if the tailgate is going to BEND or not. It flexes around like a cheap beer can when I step on it and I'm constantly worried that I'm going to damage it. That's B.S.!!! It's a TRUCK for crying out loud. This is one corner that definitely should NOT have been cut... that's all I'm saying. ...And mine is an '09 - the supposedly stronger version! I can't imagine how flimsy the previous version was. I like my truck overall... but that tailgate is CHEEZY.

 

I wonder how many people have an issue and have no clue about TSB's?

And even if you do, look at how many are denied getting work done because some dealer doesn't know or they are beyond the bumper to bumper warranty time.

 

my neighbor bought a tacoma after i did because he loved the look of mine, i was talking to him the other day, and i told him about this website to download the tsb's and take it back to toyota. He became a member, but he didnt know a thing about a tsb until i brought it to his attention

 

i straightened it out!!(for the most part atleast) now i need an easy way to reinforce it.




this is the part that i was concerned about... i can weld it right back together though.

 

Umm, maybe. Ever tried to weld two beer cans together?

 

Nice work bending it straight again.

That tailgate looks weak as hell! I had the rear end of 2 full size dirt bikes on my tailgate this weekend. I then climbed up there to lift each tire and pull them to the center of the gate. I was more concerned about my bikes falling out than bending my tailgate but I guess I'll be a bit more concerned next time.

When I do haul, I may have to rig up a sheet of plywood that fits the bed and extends onto the tailgate to disburse the weight.

 

not yet... but give me a few to drink some and ill try!

 

hmm youve given me an idea.... im going to try something....

 

Sorry but, ideas generated from my posts are owned and copyrighted by me

 

is this tailgate issue only on the 2nd Gen tacomas? I have a 2002 Tacoma and the reason I bought it is so that I can load my 400lb sports bike or dirt bike on it. Haven't tried it yet but i don't know if I even want to now. haha

 

.

Bought my 2009 Tacoma 3 months .. today ... and ....

This tailgate issue (along with soft rear springs) does bother me a LOT. I traded a 2007 Tundra that had a new transmission in it at 500 miles, bad painted dash, and very weak tailgate on that truck too.

Toyota did make the tailgates stronger and warranty the bent ones on the 2007 and up Tundras.

I have had 5 new Toyota Trucks since 2000 (Tundras & Tacos) and many other Toyotas in my life too.

IMO ... Toyota is slipping with their quality big time ... in their US Productions Facilities.

SOS
.

 

I coulda bought a Tundra. Now I'm not so flustred that I didn't.

 

I know this is an old thread, but it's what came up when I inquired for "Re-enforced Tailgate"

I'm thinking of loading up a wrecked ST1300 into the back of my 2016 ShortBed and was wondering what others have done to make sure the tailgate doesn't buckle under the weight of a heavy motorcycle sitting on it? The bike will probably weight about 600 lbs, since it's missing a few parts.

I'm thinking 3/4" plywood into the bed, then make a piece that will fit over the tailgate too.

Any thoughts?

 

You might be able to rent a small trailer for less than the cost of the plywood.

 

Trailer, or just remove the tailgate and use ramps.