Tundra Tailgate Failures!!! I am in the Club. - Page 2

cliff clavin · #16 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 11:08 PM

What do you guys think about lining the bed with plywood? Work similar to a bed liner but the plywood would give the tailgate increased strength? I am considering doing it since I will be loading a snowmobile into the bed....

Dixie4x4 · #17 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 11:11 PM

You should see mine. I have DEEP dents where the wheels sit on the gate. I have a toolbox so I need to ride it like this. This is also how I rode it in my old tundra, my old tacoma, my father's old tundra and even my old z71 with no problems.

I have yet to check this corner though. I am scared.

EDIT: I have the crack in the weld, just like in the pictures. I will post pics tommorow.

AlaskaCub · #18 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 11:24 PM

The only way they are gonna be able to fix this is by redesigning the tailgate with more strength. This is gonna be a tough one to fight, but I am damn sure gonna try. Hauling my wheeler in the bed is one of the main reasons I own a truck and not a SUV. I am sure that a jimmy rig (Plywood) can be devised to be able to load the wheeler without rolling the sheet metal like a sardine can and I will have to do just that, rig the thing up, if I have to, but I believe that Toyota needs to know this thing is too flimsy and come up with a new gate. I wonder if a 06 Tundra gate would fit with some mods? <grin>

gobblerman · #19 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 11:26 PM

The 05+ Tacomas are the same way. Toyota has a TSB out for the tailgate fix on the Tacomas.

So Toyota can't even learn from its own mistakes? How could the same company that designed the 5.7 drive train have also designed this tailgate? "Oh no" the same company designed my 5.7 which we're told is normal even though it sounds like a small diesel.

AlaskaCub · #20 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1tundradude

Bad design for sure. This stinks.

It's obvious this is being caused by the thin metal and the cable attachment point being in the middle. The metal is flexing too much.

If the loading ramps had a lip that extended to the cable I bet this problem wouldn't exist.

But the reality is that we shouldn't have to worry about this. Serious BS. I'm starting to think maybe I shouldn't have bought this truck in the first year. Oh well, guess I'll have to buy the extended warranty and let Toyota eat the repair cost for a while. This sux.

tundradude

Dont get all upside down over this tailgate thing. Every first model year with a completely new body design is gonna have growing pains. This is a great truck, they just cut a few corners trying to make this thing suburb friendly and affordable. The tailgate has me pissed too, but its just a tailgate. If we all start calling Toyota and running the issues through our dealerships Toyota will do something about it.

trailrider325 · #21 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 11:37 PM

i am glad i have not loaded my atv on the truck yet. not good toyota

FlatironsDreamer · #22 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 11:43 PM

This stuff frustrates me. Thanks for letting us know, I'll check mine out -- I've only had lumber back there, but who knows.

I'm willing to accept somewhat minor issues like this -- but Toyota has got to fix the bounce problem -- ok I'll stop whining now.

wileetundra · #23 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 11:45 PM

I loaded 2,200 lbs. of lumber and tools in the bed once, let it sit for about 12 hours, then drove it about 30 miles with the tailgate down the whole time. I am checking my tailgate in the morning and if there are any cracks then I will visit the local dealer PDQ. Any lip from them and I will have my attorney file a demand letter - I have free unlimited legal service so why not? A BBB complaint may also help if Toyota doesn't fix this.

Of all the features on the truck I am only really concerned about the thinness of the truck bed walls, gate, and floor. I can see them skimping on general body panels but not the bed! Cmon, this is supposed to be a tough truck! No wonder they didn't show a heavy load being dropped into the bed in the commercials... I wonder if any brochures or ads show an ATV or similar load being hauled...

RWD442 · #24 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 11:49 PM

I purchased this truck as replacement for my old Ford that I wore out which had a tailgate made of real steel that never even flexed when I loaded my ATV. I opted for a regular cab long-bed specifically so I could load my ATV in the back and have room for more stuff. Now that I see my tailgate has the early signs of folding, this is a "return-to-dealer what are you going to do to fix this?" issue. I love the truck but this is a deal breaker. No tailgate should have a problem like this even if it is the first model year! I will return the truck and get a Ford again if they cannot come up with a permanent "stock" repair and not a screwed on piece of plywood! IMO Toyota will have to come up with a re-enforced tailgate assembly that can be bolted or welded in or a completely re-designed tailgate to solve this problem.

AlaskaCub · #25 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWD442

IMO Toyota will have to come up with a re-enforced tailgate assembly that can be bolted or welded in or a completely re-designed tailgate to solve this problem.

Yup, and hopefully by May (Bear Season)! <grin>

I have driven my wheeler with a whole black bear strapped on the rack with ratchet straps into my Tacomas with no problem (other than a buddy holding down the front end) and I am pretty sure if I didn't only weigh 180lbs or if my wheeler were any bigger my tailgate would look like the one that rolled up.

Dixie4x4 · #26 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 11:54 PM

My thing is.. I don't care how slow the tailgate can lower itself without slamming. I am capable of lowering it myself (without slamming). I would rather have a 100 lb tailgate that would be a workout to close than have a featherweight that opens and closes with ease.

AlaskaCub · #27 (**permalink**) 10-20-2007, 12:02 AM

I am afraid to post these but you need to see it if you havent. This guy had a golf cart in the bed of his CM with the back tires on the tailate.Brace yourselves.

[image removed]
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[image removed]

I am thinking about bringing my lap top to the dealership on Monday with a thumb drive so the service manager can have the pics. That might open some eyes.

PA 4WD · #28 (**permalink**) 10-20-2007, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWD442

I love the truck but this is a deal breaker. No tailgate should have a problem like this even if it is the first model year!

I agree.
This issue is a deal breaker for me too.
Wow!!! I'm shocked at what I'm seeing, but I'm REALLY glad I looked at this thread. The wife and I had been planning to go to the dealer tomorrow (Saturday), and look at Tundras again and maybe order one.
After seeing this, I'm thinking I'll need to wait for the 2009 model year, or whenever Toyota puts a new and better tailgate on the Tundra.

I feel bad for the Tundra owners that have these problems, but I have to say thanks to all of you for saving me from becoming one of you, at least for now.

Serious question: Is there any chance that the 2009 Dodge Ram (which is supposed to come out in the next 6-months) will be a great truck that I should consider?

LeeinAZ · #29 (**permalink**) 10-20-2007, 12:29 AM

AlaskaCub.....were there any dents in the bed?? I have the same drop-in liner, but haven't loaded my ATV yet. Those photos are scary, to say the least. I have a feeling all of the sheet metal on the truck shares the same strength as the tailgate...I have to be careful not to push the roof in while leaning on it every time I wash it. I doubt if Toyota will do any kind of recall on this problem....and I think they will blame it on owner abuse.

AlaskaCub · #30 (**permalink**) 10-20-2007, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeinAZ

AlaskaCub.....were there any dents in the bed?? I have the same drop-in liner, but haven't loaded my ATV yet. Those photos are scary, to say the least. I have a feeling all of the sheet metal on the truck shares the same strength as the tailgate...I have to be careful not to push the roof in while leaning on it every time I wash it. I doubt if Toyota will do any kind of recall on this problem....and I think they will blame it on owner abuse.

The white CM pics arent my truck so I cant answer that.

The deal is I love this truck and I believe in Toyota and exposing things like this that are concrete and evident by photos and clearly a trend is the only way to get their attention. There isn't another truck I'd have right now if I had to choose. I have no confidence in GM or Dodge and the other day I sold my tires to guy who had an 05 F-150 with 28,000 miles on it. That was the biggest rattle trap I have ever been in. The dash creaked and the suspension popped, it literally felt like the whole truck was falling apart. I dont have any remorse about owning this truck and after running around all day in dangerous slick roads with lots of snow, I was realizing how much I love this truck. The tailgate issue isn't the end of the world, and it will get fixed whether Toyota does it or I have a welding shop do it. My truck has almost 4000 miles on it and if noticing the tailgate is weak is the only thing I can comment on negatively i feel like the truck is doing pretty damn good. Heck my buddies new GMC 2500 was towed in at just over 3000 miles, his truck was in the shop for 30 days, his tailgate could been built like a rock but it wasn't doing him any good.