SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Joined: 12/14/2003
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$4000 for a tailgate????  I can build a very nice aluminum flat bed with headache rack and a couple storage boxes for that much money!
I have never had a tailgate come completely off. I have had them come unlatched and fall down a few times.
I'm with the others here who said someone was likely trying to steal the tailgate and got interrupted before they could take it off the truck.
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Chrisatthebeach
The beautiful low country of South Carolina
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Strangely enough while driving back from Charleston on US17 yesterday, I came upon a new F350 by the side of the road picking up the tailgate. Not sure if it was down or what, it appeared they had missed it and turned around and were just pulling over to pick it back up.
Chris & Dianne plus two boys, both of them are Eagle Scouts.
Jayco Designer 3110
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rehoppe
Denver & Nathrop Colo or somewhere else
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Joined: 01/30/2009
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If that stuff is worth that much. STEAL MINE! I can use the $s And want an excuse to put on a Flatbed, as well.
PLEASE!!!! steal mine.
Just kidding.
Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10 E450
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gpascazio
Chicago
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Cables were installed correctly and the tailgate was closed but not locked.
2008 Ford F350 dually
6.4 L Diesel
2010 Eagle Cap 1160
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gpascazio
Chicago
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AS far as cost a new tailgate is about $1,100 and the repair will be $629. I took it to three places for an estimate and all three said it is a popular item to steal. If this is the case they must have seen me coming and didn't finish the job. Another theory is that I did not close it properly
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Arcamper
Fayetteville, AR
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gpascazio wrote:Cables were installed correctly and the tailgate was closed but not locked.
Hard to see how it could come off with both cables attached.
2007 Keystone Laredo 29RL 5th
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2003 Ford F-250 SD Crew Cab 4x4 6.0 Diesel
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rehoppe
Denver & Nathrop Colo or somewhere else
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Or maybe they had one to sell. Figured if you skinned yours up, you might buy their's?
Did you look on Craig's list for one?
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AnEv942
CA
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Joined: 10/10/2003
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For me its the combination, latches, cables but mostly the angle that gate must be at to come off that makes this a rather bizarre occurance. I would think if gate was just setting there it would fall as soon as you moved?
I drive some pretty rough roads-never thinking the tailgate could come off. Ive never used the lock on tailgate, I'm going to check but I think it just keeps handle from operating and doesnt keep latches secured from opening if jolted. However if locking keeps the latches from opening then ill start locking. Mine is twisted and right side doesnt fully engage most of the time if I slam shut from center. If the plastic pivot inserts were missing or wore I could see it comeing off-,cables cannot self disengage but could break or mounts break if dropped. Curious.
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Stopped and just checked our 01 F250. couple of interesting observations.
1. the latching pawls that grab pillar posts are independant of each other, They simple rotate when bed posts enter, another lil spring load pawl flips over and keeps main pawl from springing back (to open position). You can operate manually with gate open (use a tool not your finger).
2. the handle when pulled simply pulls the lil catch pawls back allowing the main pawl to retract. Again independant. You can physically push on the pawls and main pawls will release, quite easily. Locking the handle only 'freewheels' it, doesnt pull on release pawls, not effect on pawls- the pawls can still move if pushed on. This is suprising becuase enough slop in lower pivot, if the gate jumps up they can hit the striker post and release main pawls.
So mine with the right jolt could unlatch itself and fall,wether or not handle locked.
3. My lower plastic pivot bushing are quite worn. The gate use to only come out of sloted pivot in one position, at bout 12" open from vertical. checking now it will come out from about 8" open vertical to 8" from horizontal (full open). So if gate comes unlatched it has a lot time to disengage lower pivot. I can see it easily falling open bounce up and disengaging the pivot, actually straight out enough of a jerk Im sure i could pull it loose as it is. Rather disconcerting. think mine was near becoming a problem.
The cables though Im not sure-if they didnt break they would not realse unless the retain clip wasnt seated-on both very unlikly.
So I need new pivot bushings, which would address most my issues. But Im doing the band clamp to insure it cant self disengage irregardless (not to stop theives but would slow them). Also think a simple mechanical latch inside that I can see from cab, bolt hasp or somthing. My truck is almost 12. As Im getting ready for short fishing trip-gate will stay in shop untill I fix.
Though someone may have played with your tailgate and I also think somemne did, my 1st impluse of it CANT fall off was wrong.
01 Ford 250 4x4 DRW Diesel, 01 Elkhorn 9U
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ramrat
Bay Area CA
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i heard dodge tailgates were easy to pop out so I did similar to sirdrakejr but i used zip ties on the hinge side that you pull the tailgate out when angled correctly. not sure if other models are the same as the dodge.
Zip ties are easy to keep around and cut to remove when you want to remove the tailgate.
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K Mac
Lower Hudson Valley N.Y.
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I also have an 08' F350 ,found my gate down once when leaving the store, luckily Fords tailgates have a lock just like your door,needless to say I keep it locked now.
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