Learn All About auto tailgate

The Tailgate on your pickup truck is like the doorway to all your recreational activities or even livelihood. Without it, you cannot rest assured that your luggage or payload is safe. The tailgate is the door on a pickup truck instead of the trunk lid. It swings open downwards for maximum convenience while loading or unloading goods. It’s easy to take trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles for granted because they are meant to be reliable workhorses. However, this doesn’t mean that these vehicles won’t benefit from the same care and attention you would give a sedan. The tailgate is one such part of a truck that gets the most abuse, yet it often remains neglected until it breaks down.

It can be found at the rear of the truck and makes the door that allows you to access the trunk bed. It is made of heavy-duty materials but can be damaged due to rust and the elements and a replacement might be necessary to keep your cargo safe.

Tailgates can be categorized based on their opening operation:

1. Drop-down: The gate opens downwards for maximum convenience while loading and unloading cargo.
2. Swing: The gate opens like a traditional door for ease of climbing onto the bed.
3. Split: The tailgate is split into two separate doors that open individually.
4. Multi-way: Offers functionality of a combination of different opening operations for best and maximum convenience.

The tailgates are the doors used in SUVs, pickups, trucks and station wagons that have large storage compartments. A tailgate serves multiple functions. It is primarily used to conveniently load cargo onto the back of a vehicle. In some truck models, it can be used as a step to access the bed or as an extension to increase carrying capacity. It can also be used to accommodate longer pieces of pipes or lumber. In remote locations and on worksites, tailgates double as a worktable. It can also provide additional seating and are used in a social event named after it.

Tailgates are built for extreme uses and are built to carry a lot of loads even when they are open but even they can be prone to a number of problems such as:

• The tailgate latch is one of the most common issues wherein the latch mechanism fails and prevents opening or closing of the gate correctly.
• The tailgate hinge is another prone area as these sustain constant wear and tear and are loaded when the tailgate is dropped or opened while hauling cargo especially in drop-down tailgates.
• Power tailgates have actuators that often fail after prolonged use and can cause the tailgate to be stuck, preventing opening.
• The tailgate stopper can break or snap failing to stop the tailgate opening and can damage the hinge and tailgate severely since the tailgate is opened further than it should, causing the hinges to bend and ultimately the tailgate.
• The tailgate can get corroded which may spread to other vehicle parts mainly due to faulty anti-corrosion coating.
• It can get dented or crack on extreme impacts or while loading or unloading heavy cargo.

Here are a few signals to look out for to avoid complete tailgate failure:

• The latch may start malfunctioning by either avoiding opening or preventing closing of the tailgate.
• The tailgate opens very swiftly indicating a stopper failure.
• There may be sounds emanating from the tailgate while opening and closing which may signify a broken hinge or even a rusted one.
• There is visible discoloration or bubbling on the tailgate panels which may mean there is rust or corrosion stemming in the panels.

The tailgate is attached to the pickup truck in an ingenious technique and removal and refitment requires just a little effort and a pair of gloves.

When it comes to vehicle owners choice, the brands really matter a lot. You might pay a premium for a specific car part brand, over time, as it has created a perception of quality, stability as well as trust. There are some leading car parts brands which are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related with the quality. So have a look at some top brands for Tailgate.

The tailgate is an essential part of every truck and making sure all its components are intact is crucial so take a look at the related parts of the tailgate:

• Tailgate Handle
• Tailgate Mouldings
• Tailgate Handle Cover
• Tailgate Latch
• Tailgate Trim
• Tailgate Accessories
• Rear Bumper
• Quarter Panel

The tailgate is every truck’s most essential element and therefore making sure it stays intact is crucial. Regular maintenance of the tailgate involves lubricating the hinges and latches with grease for corrosion prevention and ease of operation, inspecting the panel for any signs of rust, making sure the tailgate operates smoothly, are few ways to prolong the tailgates life. Although, they are prone to failure and getting a new tailgate is necessary for the protection of your cargo. The tailgate can set you back by about 200- 1500$ depending on your vehicle.

The tailgate in a pickup truck is designed for the convenience of loading and unloading and so offers the functionality of easy removal of the tailgate in most trucks. The steps involved in this process are:

• Open the tailgate and remove the assists or stopper cables while holding onto the tailgate.
• Carefully slide the tailgate out from the hinges. This completely detached the tailgate from the vehicle.
• To reattach the tailgate, hoist the tailgate onto the hinges and apply the connect the assist cables and the tailgate will be secured to the truck.

Different trucks have varying procedures but typically follow the same methods. Make sure to refer to the owner’s manual for better understanding while removal and refitting.