tailgate cables on late model Pickups

[gmason]

They should really call them suicide cables. I've had to replace 3 sets of cables now on my last 2 trucks and this last time was a near serious mishap.

Now the NHTSB has opened an investigation into the GM tailgate cables news link

If one looks at the way these things are engineered, I think someone with half a brain would say No Way!!!!
You put a bunch of metal in a plastic sleeve, then bend it 180 degrees over and over plus expose it to all kind of elements(rain, salt). And do this for the life of a truck /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Then go stand on a tailgate with your small child in your arms and tell me how safe you would feel?

Can't a the big 3 auto makers create a better system? I would think so!
There has to be something like Kevlar or something that can bend and not rust.
Either that or the dealers need to give every truck owner a new set of cables every 2 years.

There are a few aftermarket product that use SS to create a strap the hinges. At least it's not hiding in a plastic sleeve /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

So, all of you that load stuff in and out of your truck via the tailgate...Beware!

gary

 

[nobull1]

There is a guy at diesel place that is making them with a lot of good comments.A steel strap instead of a cable.

 

[shvl73]

Whatever happened to the two folding pieces of steel like the old days? It seemed two work great & last.

 

[RalphVa]

Those folding metal things would pinch stupid people's fingers or stupid kid's arms or necks. Gotta protect those stupid people.

I'd think those gas-filled strut things would work pretty good. They might not be able to handle pulling tension, like when you stand on the tailgate.

Ralph

 

[slowzuki]

Isn't there a thing in the manual saying you're not supposed to put much weight on the tailgate?

I don't think I would stand with a kid in my arms on a tailgate or in the bed for that matter. The steel or plastic liners are slippery after a load of hay or anything has been in the bed, long way down for a soft little head.
Ken

 

[markie61]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Isn't there a thing in the manual saying you're not supposed to put much weight on the tailgate? )</font>

The owner's manual of my '95 F150 says the limit is 500lbs.

Mark

BTW, replace one of the cables just last fall - it was over $20 for the stupid part.

 

[RonR]

Lately I've notice that if I don't get my tailgate closed just right, it doesn't latch. I sure can tell it! When I start to drive forward, the momentum causes the gate to open. KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. It scares the ******* out of me.

I know it can't be good for the cables either!

Best wishes,
Ron

 

[keeney]

I was helping a buddy of mine load an engine eblock into his older F-250. We noticed that the cables looked a little weak. My buddy got up on the tailgate and bounced up and down a bit to see if the cables would hold. The cables held fine. The verticle back corner of the box, however, was also a bit rusted and part of it gave-way and it bent out and down. We had to pound the corner of the box back to get the tailgate closed again. It never really did latch right on that side again.

- Rick

 

[gsganzer]

The other stupid thing is the cable winch that Chevy used for the spare tire on my pickup (1989). I had the cable break and the tire come flying loose driving down the road. It nearly sent me out of control when the front of the tire caught the road and stood upright, catapulting the back of the truck into the air. Luckily, the tire bounced over the car following me.

Anyone else have the spare tire cable fail?

 

[Lazy]

Hi
buying a product like a truck is like getting married, its for better or worse we have to live with what we choose, did you not notice the cables on the tail gate when you bought the truck? or your now wife had some faults. I suspect they could make a perfect truck not sure about a wife but we couldn't afford either one.

Charlie