Help. Tailgate damage

[hodges97]

My trailer came loose today. Long story. My fault. Anyway, the only damage done was to the latch and inside the hand hold area. I have seen guys post on here that they found a magnetic cup to cover that area. Can anybody send me a link?

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[quangdog]

Do you have any pictures of the damage so we can see the exact size of the area you want to cover?
Also: aren't the tailgates aluminum? I.e., not magnetic?

 

[rang19ca]

Aluminum they are.

 

[hodges97]

here is the damage. a bowl type cover will cover all the damage and it can be fixed with epoxy. Otherwise it will have to be welded and painted, etc.

 

[cfhgarza]

Seems like the Ford "tailgate applique" would cover most of it. It's pretty expensive IMO

 

[hodges97]

This is a link to a Ebay Australia part. It looks compatible. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/372850485085?ViewItem=&item=372850485085#shpCntId

 

[hodges97]

Well. I'm a dumb ass. I hooked up the trailer but didn't cinch down the lock. Then I drove my golf cart up on the tailgate of the trailer. It popped up and went forward into the latch cup. The good news, I did it. The truck has 2200 miles and I'm sick.

 

[hodges97]

I am taking it to a body shop to fix it. They are either going to epoxy it and use a trim piece to cover my mess or weld it and paint it and so on.

 

[wanted33]

I am taking it to a body shop to fix it. They are either going to epoxy it and use a trim piece to cover my mess or weld it and paint it and so on.

That's probably the best Dick. And, don't feel like you're in that boat alone. Some of the "lame" things I've done would make you cringe.

 

[Davejb]

i seriously throw up in my mouth a little bit every time i hear the word applique......its one of those words that just makes me cringe.

In this case it's deserved, that thing is ugly.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

And, don't feel like you're in that boat alone. Some of the "lame" things I've done would make you cringe.

Same. I think we've all done some pretty stupid and asinine things. We're, or at least I'm, just too embarrassed to bring it up online. haha

 

[geophb]

Since its in a obscure location any repair should be not easily noticeable if it makes you feel any better.

Worst case scenario tailgate is $800 + painting + $40 latch if it broke. $900-$950 tops for hard parts. Plus whatever painting costs.

 

[hodges97]

I have had my issues with towed "things" in my day. I have a motorhome. I had a 2015 Ford Explorer come loose at 70 MPH. Had no idea my hitch had broken till a guy came up beside me and almost threw his arm out of socket trying to get me to pull over. I was going uphill. The safety chains held and I did almost no damage. Then there was the time I went thru the smokies and when I stopped for the night, the nut on the bottom of the 2"ball was gone. Only thing that kept it on the receiver was the tongue weight. I weld them now. Then there was the time I had a lock fail. Considering how many miles I have towed autos and or trailers, I should be happy that this is minor.

 

[hodges97]

I just ordered the lock mechanism and electrical parts. They both broke. I also ordered the Australian latch cover. Life will go on

 

[RedlandRanger]

Same. I think we've all done some pretty stupid and asinine things. We're, or at least I'm, just too embarrassed to bring it up online. haha

Don't feel bad - the one and only dent on my truck (I have quite a few chips, but only one dent) was done by me.

What is the saying? Something like "Good judgement comes from exercising bad judgement" - or something like that. I can relate fully to that statement.

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