Table of Contents
- What's the Deal with Tailgates Dropping?
- Is Your Truck's Tailgate Done Dropped Without Warning?
- Common Reasons for a Tailgate Done Dropped
- Recalls and the Tailgate Done Dropped Issue
- My Tailgate Done Dropped - What Can I Do?
- Can a Wet Wiring Harness Cause a Tailgate Done Dropped?
- Preventing an Accidental Tailgate Done Dropped
- What About Older Trucks and a Tailgate Done Dropped?
It seems a fair number of truck owners are finding their tailgates doing things they shouldn't, like suddenly dropping open when you least expect it. This unexpected happening, often called "tailgate done dropped," can be more than just a surprise; it can be a real worry, especially if you're hauling something important or driving down the road.
This issue pops up across many different truck brands and models, from newer pickups to those that have been around for a while. It's a topic that gets a lot of chatter in truck communities, with folks sharing their experiences and trying to figure out what's going on with their vehicle's back end.
Understanding why this might occur and what steps you can take is pretty important for peace of mind, and for keeping your stuff safe. So, let's get into what people are saying about this odd truck behavior.
What's the Deal with Tailgates Dropping?
There's a lot of talk going around about truck tailgates that just seem to open up on their own, often at the worst possible moment. For many truck owners, this is a very real concern, especially if they are carrying something important in the back. You see, the tailgate is meant to stay closed until you decide to open it, so when it just drops, that's a problem. Some folks have even mentioned that when they were getting ready for things like a hunt, the whole mood would change; the men would get very serious as they let down their truck tailgates. But this is different; this is about an unwanted opening. It's not about choosing to drop your gate, but rather about it happening without any input from you. This kind of spontaneous event can lead to items falling out or even damage if the tailgate hits something below it. It's a bit of a head-scratcher for many, and you really just want to know why your tailgate is acting this way.
People are talking about how their brand new trucks, like a 2023 AT4X, are having this exact problem. It's not just older models that might have wear and tear, but vehicles fresh off the lot too. This suggests that the issue isn't always about age or how much you've used the truck, but possibly something else entirely. It's almost as if the truck has a mind of its own sometimes, just letting the tailgate go when it feels like it. The frustration is quite clear when you hear stories of people constantly checking their rearview mirrors, just to make sure the tailgate hasn't unexpectedly come down while they're driving. That's a lot of extra worry to carry, especially if you're pulling a work trailer or something similar, which is often the case for many truck owners. You want to trust your vehicle, and when something like this happens, that trust can get shaken a little bit, you know?
Is Your Truck's Tailgate Done Dropped Without Warning?
Many truck owners are finding that their tailgate has done dropped without any warning, and this can be a pretty unsettling experience. Imagine you're just driving along, maybe with your motorcycle in the truck bed, and suddenly the tailgate just falls open. Someone shared a story about their 2013 F150, where they had their motorcycle loaded up, and since it was longer than the bed, they drove with the tailgate down. But then, they must have hit a bump somewhere, and the tailgate lifted up, causing issues. This is a bit different from the random dropping, but it shows how sensitive these parts can be. For others, the tailgate drops while they are actually driving, completely on its own. One person with a 2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Limited mentioned their tailgate had dropped open four times while driving, regardless of whether they had pulled on the tailgate to check it before setting off. That's a lot of times for something like that to happen, and it really makes you wonder what's going on.
It's not just about things falling out either; sometimes the dropping causes other problems. Someone with a 2021 GMC said their tailgate had dropped twice, and there's a recall for it, but their specific truck's identification number wasn't part of that recall. This means even if you know there's a general problem, your particular truck might not be covered, leaving you to deal with it yourself. Another person had their tailgate fall on their trailer jack while towing a trailer, causing damage. That's a pretty serious incident, and it highlights the potential for things to go wrong when a tailgate decides to open up on its own. You might also find that after the tailgate has done dropped, you can't get it to close and latch properly, or it just pops open again right after you shut it. This kind of ongoing issue is very frustrating for truck owners who rely on their vehicles for work or daily life. It's a constant source of worry, and you just want a solution that works.
Common Reasons for a Tailgate Done Dropped
When it comes to why a tailgate has done dropped unexpectedly, several possibilities keep coming up in discussions among truck owners. One of the more frequently mentioned culprits is the Body Control Module, or BCM. Someone shared that their 2018 truck only dropped the tailgate when they accidentally pressed the button on the remote. But for another person, their BCM had to be replaced because of a problem with it, suggesting that sometimes the brain of the truck, so to speak, is the one causing the trouble. This little computer part manages a lot of the truck's electrical systems, and if it's not working right, it can send the wrong signals, like telling the tailgate to open when it shouldn't. It's like a miscommunication in the truck's system, and that can be a real pain.
Another reason people point to is the actual wiring connected to the tailgate. There's a technical service bulletin, or TSB, that suggests the tailgate might drop if its wiring harness gets wet. This means if it rains a lot, or if you take your truck through a car wash, that moisture could be causing the problem. It's a pretty specific issue, and it makes you think about how often your truck is exposed to water. Some folks have even tried a temporary fix for this, which involves getting to the wires that go to the switch and snipping them. This sounds a bit extreme, but it's what some places are doing for recalls until better parts are ready. It's a quick way to stop the unwanted dropping, but it means you might lose some of the easy ways to open your tailgate, like the key fob button or the switch inside the truck. This is a very practical concern for anyone dealing with this issue, and it shows how varied the causes can be for a tailgate done dropped.
Recalls and the Tailgate Done Dropped Issue
It's a big deal when a company has to issue a recall, and that's exactly what General Motors has done concerning the tailgate done dropped problem. They've put out a stop sale and a safety recall that affects certain models of the Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty trucks. This means if you have one of these trucks, like a 2023 AT4X, it might be part of this official action. Recalls happen when there's a known safety concern, and an unexpected tailgate drop definitely falls into that category. It's good that these issues are being recognized and acted upon, because it helps keep people safer on the road. The recall number often mentioned is 21m06, and it's supposed to fix the problem of the tailgate dropping without you wanting it to. So, if you've been having this issue, checking for this recall is a very good first step to take.
However, it's not always straightforward. Some truck owners have reported that even though their tailgate has done dropped randomly, their truck's specific identification number, or VIN, wasn't included in the recall list. This can be pretty confusing and frustrating, because you're experiencing the exact problem the recall is meant to address, but your vehicle isn't covered by the official fix. One person mentioned their 2021 GMC had dropped its tailgate twice, and there was a recall, but their VIN wasn't in it. This means they had to look for other solutions. In some cases, the temporary fix for the recall involves snipping the wires that go to the tailgate switch. This is what they're doing for the recall right now until new switches are available. The idea is that your key fob button and the interior switch will still work to drop the tailgate, but the accidental drops might stop. It's a short-term solution, but it shows how companies are trying to deal with this widespread problem, even if it's not always perfect for everyone.
My Tailgate Done Dropped - What Can I Do?
If your tailgate has done dropped without warning, you're probably wondering what steps you can take to fix it. People have tried a variety of things, some more involved than others. For instance, if you suspect a problem with the switch itself, you might try taking off the inside plastic tailgate cover to get a look at the switch and inspect it. One owner did this for their 2021 GMC after their VIN wasn't in the recall, hoping to find a clear issue. Sometimes, the solution might be more about the truck's internal systems. As mentioned earlier, if the BCM, or Body Control Module, is faulty, replacing it could solve the problem. Someone had to get their BCM replaced because of an issue, and that stopped their tailgate from dropping on its own. These kinds of repairs often need a visit to the dealer or a trusted mechanic, as they involve more complex parts of the truck.
Another point of frustration for many owners is the lack of a lockout feature for the tailgate. People can't believe that there isn't some way to disable the automatic drop feature, especially when it's causing so many problems. If the tailgate is randomly dropping while you're driving, you'd want a way to prevent that from happening, even if it means losing some convenience. Some people have found a temporary workaround by disconnecting the tailgate release button inside the cab. One person posted in another discussion that their solution was to disconnect the button that's usually near the emergency brake. This might stop the accidental drops, but it also means you can't open the tailgate from the cab anymore. It's a choice between convenience and peace of mind, and for many, safety wins out. These are the kinds of practical solutions truck owners are trying when their tailgate has done dropped, showing that people are really looking for ways to manage this issue.
Can a Wet Wiring Harness Cause a Tailgate Done Dropped?
A question that pops up pretty often is whether water can cause a tailgate to drop unexpectedly. Well, according to some official technical service bulletins, or TSBs, the answer is yes, it might. The TSB suggests that the tailgate might drop if the wiring harness gets wet. This is a very specific piece of information that can help owners figure out why their tailgate has done dropped. So, if you've noticed that your tailgate tends to open on its own after it rains, or perhaps right after you've given your truck a good wash, then a wet wiring harness could very well be the reason. It makes a lot of sense, really, since water and electrical components often don't mix well. The moisture could be causing a short or some other electrical glitch that tricks the tailgate into thinking it's been told to open.
This idea of a wet wiring harness being the cause has even led to some temporary fixes being put in place. For some of the recalls, what they're doing is telling people to drop their gate, pop off the cover, and then snip the wires that go to the switch. The idea behind this is that if the wires are getting wet and causing the problem, cutting them stops that signal from getting through. This is what they are doing for the recall right now until new switches are available that might be better protected from moisture. It's a pretty direct way to deal with the problem, and it points to the wiring as a key part of the issue. So, if your tailgate has done dropped after a downpour or a trip through the car wash, looking at the wiring harness and its connection to moisture might be a very good place to start your investigation.
Preventing an Accidental Tailgate Done Dropped
Once you've had your tailgate done dropped unexpectedly, you naturally start thinking about ways to keep it from happening again. Many truck owners develop habits to try and prevent these unwanted openings. One common practice is to constantly check behind you, especially when you're pulling something like a job trailer. It's a bit of a nuisance, but the worry of the tailgate dropping and losing your equipment is a strong motivator. Someone mentioned they are constantly checking their mirrors to make sure their tailgate hasn't accidentally come down, especially when they are pulling their job trailer, which is often. This kind of vigilance becomes a regular part of driving, just to be on the safe side. It's a way of trying to control something that feels a bit out of control.
Another approach people take is to double-check the tailgate every single time they shut it. You might pull on it, give it a good shake, or just make sure it feels truly secure before you drive away. One owner of a 2022 Ram 2500 shared that their tailgate had fallen many times, and they've been double-checking it every time they shut it, but it still happens. This shows that sometimes, even with careful habits, the problem can persist, which is very frustrating. For some, a more direct solution might involve disconnecting certain buttons, as mentioned earlier. If the key fob button or an interior switch is accidentally getting pressed, or if there's a glitch in the system related to those inputs, disconnecting them could stop the problem. It's about finding what works for your specific situation to prevent that unsettling moment when your tailgate has done dropped without you wanting it to.
What About Older Trucks and a Tailgate Done Dropped?
It's easy to think that issues like a tailgate done dropped are only for brand new trucks with lots of fancy electronics, but older models can have their own set of problems too. For example, when someone got their 2016 Tacoma new, the tailgate would slowly lower itself to the open position, which is a common feature. But then, after 72,000 miles, when they pulled the latch, the tailgate just dropped to the open position, rather than lowering slowly. This shows how parts can wear out over time, changing the way things are supposed to work. The controlled descent mechanism might have given out, leading to a sudden fall instead of a gentle opening. This is a very different kind of drop compared to the random opening while driving, but it's still an unexpected change in behavior.
Other older trucks have also experienced unexpected tailgate drops, sometimes due to simpler reasons. Someone with a 2018 model noted that their tailgate only dropped when they accidentally hit the button on the remote. This is a straightforward case of user error, but it highlights how easily these buttons can be activated without meaning to, leading to a surprise. Then there's the 2016 1500 Outdoorsman owner whose tailgate dropped twice while they had their ATV in the back, and two other times they couldn't get it to close and latch, and once it popped open. This indicates a range of issues, from dropping while loaded to problems with latching and staying shut. It shows that the problem of a tailgate done dropped isn't just about new tech glitches, but also about wear and tear, accidental inputs, and general mechanical or electrical quirks that can pop up over a truck's life. It really just goes to show that these issues can affect trucks of many different ages.
