Tailgate scrapes license plate

Hey guys, just bought a 2021 TRD off-road, and discovered that the tailgate scrapes the license plate and is taking paint off of the center of the tailgate. It looks like the previous owner had nicked something that may have tweaked the bumper(notice the tow hooks), but the bed looks like it also may be too far forward. It also looks like my tailgate gap is way too big between my bed and tailgate. I loosened all the bolts of the bumper to adjust it, but it won’t budge. I can’t find find anyone who is also experiencing this issue anywhere online, so just trying to get some opinions. It’s driving my crazy. Do I need a new bumper? Do I need a new tailgate? Should I adjust the bed position? I’ve included several pictures for reference and any help will get greatly appreciated.

 

I think the tail gate is bowed out/back (down when open). Saw another post long ago with same problem from driving a heavy motorcycle in the into the bed.
How hitch eye is probably unrelated, or he backed into something and something in the bed slid back and bent the tailgate out.

 

I wouldn't consider myself an expert but the photo you have inside the bed-- it looks like you have a bow in your tailgate; which would explain why it hits the license plate since the tailgate protrudes farther in the middle. I'm assuming the previous owner may have had something either too heavy in the bed or too large and tried to close the tailgate?

 

As others have said... this doesn't look right. Tailgate must be bowed outward.

 

Also, that's not a tow hook. That's the connection point for trailer safety chains. If you tried towing/pulling from those they will most likely bend or rip with any significant force (tow strap/kinetic strap). Might hit it with some spray paint, but I wouldn't worry about it structurally.

 

Didn't think of that, probably enough leverage in the tail gate height to do it.

A body shop can probably straighten is out, or buy a new tailgate. Not a crazy fix, but probably not cheap.
Not sure if it's possible as a DIY. Maybe a 2x4 under the tailgate and a small jack on the bumper step. Carefully crank it up until you're happy with result.

 

I was thinking something similar as far as repair-- I would be concerned with the tailgate mounts on the truck being able to hold too much upward weight/force since a portion of the top on the passenger side is open in order for the tailgate to slide in but hey, worth a shot but just be careful OP haha.

 

Yup, that one caught my eye. That's huge. I don't think I can see daylight through mine. That gap's big enough to escape Alcatraz.

 

Tailgate bent all to hell.
They overloaded the gate in the middle I would assume.
You should not see daylight when the gate is closed

 

Yep, mine is doing that after I ripped off left part of my bumper off-road.