Cleaning out mulch

[RedArrow]

This morning I picked up a load of mulch. There is a bunch of it in the space between the cab and the bed. With my old Dodge Dakota I could just clean the gap with a leaf blower or even a broomstick for a bigger clod. I realize I should have stuffed an old blanket in the gap or even duct taped it shut. The leaf blower got a lot out but it looks like a couple inches of mulch is still down there. Any great ideas to get it out of there? It is a very narrow area, as you all know.
On a related note, recently I carried a load of pulverized topsoil home. After shoveling it out I discovered some got inside the tailgate through the hole where the camera cable is. I was smart enough to cover it with duct tape today. Just a word of advice for anyone that loads bulk material like this in their bed.
Thanks in advance for any help.

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[Dereku]

Thanks, i got a load of 1/4 minus and my tailgate is full of nonsense now. So it is good advice to anyone.

 

[EJH]

This is why I use/rent a cheap trailer to haul yard debris, wood, etc. For $20 at U-haul I avoid dealing with cleaning the truck.

 

[SigOris]

When needed Ive just a very large Harbor Freight tarp in the bed.

 

[RedArrow]

It is almost worth renting a trailer just to avoid cleaning out the hinge area. I'm stubborn though and like to use a truck because I have a truck. Left it outside and now we had an unexpected ten minute downpour. I'm picturing all that gunk getting wet and settling in.

 

[RedArrow]

Thanks for the tarp idea. I did put a sheet of plastic over the hinge gap and that kept most of that area clean. The dirt guy was careful not to load it too far forward but the man with the mulch just dumped it all over.

 

[MountainGoat]

Use a powerwasher. If don't have one most DIY carwash places do.

 

[RedArrow]

Yeah, the power washer might work with how thin the wand is. I was hoping to blow or vacuum it out while it was still dry. Thanks.

 

[RedArrow]

Air compressor with a foot long nozzle worked to clean out the mess especially after popping out those oval plugs in the front wall of the bed.

 

[Msfitoy]

Compressed air...

 

[NOVA_Ranger]

I just leave it and it sorts itself out. If it closes, I’m rolling. If it won’t close, I just pull the tailgate off, clean the stuff out, and pop it back on.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I just leave it and it sorts itself out. If it closes, I’m rolling. If it won’t close, I just pull the tailgate off, clean the stuff out, and pop it back on.

My M.O. with my older Rangers was to pull the tailgate. The harness creates an extra step on this 5g but it doesn’t seem so bad.

It’s also another case against having a tailgate damper.

 

[irv0735]

It’s also another case against having a tailgate damper.

Nah, damper is ball and socket connection that you can pop off just as fast as removing the tailgate cable...

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Nah, damper is ball and socket connection that you can pop off just as fast as removing the tailgate cable...

tbh - I’ve never gotten close enough to one to notice how they’re connected. ?

 

[NOVA_Ranger]

My M.O. with my older Rangers was to pull the tailgate. The harness creates an extra step on this 5g but it doesn’t seem so bad.

It’s also another case against having a tailgate damper.

I just unhook it enough to get in there, and leave the cables and wires attached. But if I fan force it closed I don’t even bother doing that. It is a truck bed and tailgate, if it gets dirty it gets dirty.

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