Liking my Lightning... but no way to lock tailgate in down position?

[woodsman]

I guess this is about the third time that I have hauled something in the bed where I have had to leave the tailgate down. If you don't tie down or block down the gate it will just flop up and down. with all these multi function tailgates why is there not a way to lock it down?

Sponsored

 

[Albern]

Makes perfect sense if the tailgate actuator / servo could go to a locked down position.

What did you use to get that mower up there - ramps?

 

[woodsman]

Makes perfect sense if the tailgate actuator / servo could go to a locked down position.

What did you use to get that mower up there - ramps?

well that was kinda silly. It was at one of those construction auctions and they only had a semi truck dock, way to high for my truck. So we used a pallet to go down to my truck. Sure rides nice with that in the back.

 

[RickLightning]

I guess this is about the third time that I have hauled something in the bed where I have had to leave the tailgate down. If you don't tie down or block down the gate it will just flop up and down. with all these multi function tailgates why is there not a way to lock it down?

13 inch - https://amzn.to/4fdjISO

Full sized- https://amzn.to/3YgfFys

 

[Yellow Buddy]

Makes perfect sense if the tailgate actuator / servo could go to a locked down position.

What did you use to get that mower up there - ramps?

I’ve moved several mowers, ramps + a winch is what I usually use - the mowers I move aren’t usually running hence the winch.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

I guess this is about the third time that I have hauled something in the bed where I have had to leave the tailgate down. If you don't tie down or block down the gate it will just flop up and down. with all these multi function tailgates why is there not a way to lock it down?

I’ve got a power tailgate on my Lariat which stays down, but on my Pro I’ll shift the load back onto the tailgate to keep it from flopping. Or I’ll use a 1/2 sheet of ply back there if it’s a planned pickup.

 

[Scorpio3d]

I’ve got a power tailgate on my Lariat which stays down, but on my Pro I’ll shift the load back onto the tailgate to keep it from flopping. Or I’ll use a 1/2 sheet of ply back there if it’s a planned pickup.

From his pic, it looks like he has a Lariat and I do as well, but mine does not lock in the down position. It bounces up and down if you go over larger bumps. Unless I missed something?

 

[Whammy Bar]

From his pic, it looks like he has a Lariat and I do as well, but mine does not lock in the down position. It bounces up and down if you go over larger bumps. Unless I missed something?

Nope, same issue here. It's so incredibly dumb that it does that.

 

[Pioneer74]

I

I'm this situation, I'd put a moving blanket behind the mower and ratchet strap the tailgate closed. Then you don't have to worry about stone chips on the downward facing surfaces.

Our you could use a 4x4 section of 1/2" plywood. Put it under the rear wheels of the mower and extend it over the tailgate to keep it from bouncing.

I sure wouldn't want the electric motor holding the tailgate down. The thing sounds like it can barely open and close it.

 

[Mike G]

It does lock in the down position if you bought the bed extender. The bed extender has two pins that lock into the lower holes when it is deployed and that keeps the tailgate from flopping up and down.

 

[husky10101]

I go in and uncheck power tailgate when I have to leave it down. Then it is the same as my 2018 F 150

 

[Sneakypetie78]

My 2013 had the same issue with spring assisted tailgate. There are many products on the market. I got this one for $50.
https://www.ride88.com/product-page/tailgate-boss

 

[lightspeed]

Can you name a single other truck where the tailgates locks into the open position?

 

[Adventureboy]

13 inch - https://amzn.to/4fdjISO

Full sized- https://amzn.to/3YgfFys

Nice bars. I might have to get a set.
Maybe a small R-clip just for security to keep them from accidentally bouncing off the posts. We all know $hit happens.

In a pinch, I've used a bungee cord from the clamp pockets to the hitch to keep it from bouncing and it worked pretty well.

 

[roadhouse]

Ratchet strap from the lower hook in the bed to the towball works in a pinch.

Sponsored