Tailgate Question

[dtboyer]

While loading "stuff" in the bed of my '07 I noticed that the left tailgate strap was taut, but that the left strap had slack. This was with no weight on the tailgate. Went to the dealer and they said "they all do that. " They also said that they've seen this before and replaced the straps, but that didn't resolve the problem. They contend that the bracket on the bed for the strap is misaligned at the factory and can't be adjusted. Anyone else seen this problem? Thoughts?

 

[JApol]

My 05 is the same. It looks like one is less than 1/4 inch off.

 

[fkovalski]

I do believe that there is some adjustment/ play in the stud post on the bed sides (similar to a door strike. ) Not positive on this... will have to look on mine to be sure. May you be able to adjust the strike? i. e. one up, the other down to make each equal?

 

[bighammer]

If I had to guess, my money would be on the tight side breaking first.

I'm not sure there is a way to adjust them. I wonder if the the cables are different lengths or if it's the truck?

If you load the truck with a bunch of long treated planks and go off-roading, it will adjust your tailgate for you. (like it did for me)

 

[gsbrockman]

Went to the dealer and they said "they all do that. "

Return to your dealer and evaluate the tailgate straps on the new trucks in their current inventory. Demand that the dealer swap'em out if you can find a good matched set.



Greg

 

[MLee]

My 95 is that way and the ones I have looked at on the lots are to. why can't it be fixed after this many years of bring it up?? Its hard to teach the robot new tricks.

Marv.

 

[RWelkner]

I dont think its the cables, I swapped my cables from left to right and the one side was still shorter.

 

[p-Bar]

I just noticed that on mine the other day. The tailgate probably has a twist in it

 

[byoslandry]

While loading "stuff" in the bed of my '07 I noticed that the left tailgate strap was taut, but that the left strap had slack. This was with no weight on the tailgate. Went to the dealer and they said "they all do that. " They also said that they've seen this before and replaced the straps, but that didn't resolve the problem. They contend that the bracket on the bed for the strap is misaligned at the factory and can't be adjusted. Anyone else seen this problem? Thoughts?

dtboyer

I have that same situation in my 06 CTD QC 2WD. I brought it to the dealer and we tried 8 differnet pairs of cables. The cables were the right length. It was the post and there is no adjustment on them.

I asked the Dealer, what happens if I'm standing on that tailgate and that tight strap breaks. My back would probably be jerked when the tailgate leaned to that side and I'd probably fall. Who's fault would that be? He didn't answer me. I asked if this will weaken the tailgate with only one cable taut. In his opinion, the tailgate is solid.

The Dealer said that Dodge knows of this and will do nothing to correct the post.

So, Dodge is asking us to live with this manufacturing defect. Nothing new there.

Don't get me wrong. I love both of my Dodges, but I have some problems with the Dodge company.

Just be careful while on the tailgate or get a cable made to length.