Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Tailgates

Simple Troubleshooting Tips for your Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Tailgate

Your Chevrolet Silverado 1500's tailgate is built tough to keep your cargo safe and secured. It serves as the entry point for your luggage and even passengers, so expect that it will wear out sooner or later. Applying too much force when opening or closing the tailgate makes it even more susceptible to damage. Its components, such as the latch and hinges, are also at risk of premature wear. So if your Chevrolet Silverado 1500 tailgate suddenly gets stuck and you don't know what to do, follow these simple troubleshooting tips to solve your problems:

Tailgate won't close

You've just loaded your cargo on your truck bed and you're ready to roll, except that your tailgate won't close. When this happens, don't slam the tailgate or even unload your cargo. An easy fix could be done by simply cleaning the latch. You can just check if there is any dirt buildup on the latch that makes it hard to close. If there is, you can clean it using a WD-40 water-displacing spray. This is only a temporary fix; you may have to replace your latch if you notice signs of premature wear and corrosion.

Tailgate won't open

You're ready to load your stuff into your truck bed, but the tailgate won't open. If you have a plastic tailgate handle, this problem could be due to extreme heat. You can spray cold water on the handle and try to open the latch again. But if you have a steel tailgate handle, a quick fix could be done by removing the nuts in the striker plate using a socket wrench. It is located underneath your truck between the bumper and the gas tank. Once you've removed its nuts, the tailgate should swing open. Just reinstall the striker afterwards.

Rusty tailgate

Since your tailgate is made of steel, it is indeed prone to corrosion. Inspect it for any rust spot on the truck bed or on the hinges to know if corrosion is starting to eat it up. You need to replace a rusty tailgate immediately, or else, compromise the security of your cargo with a weaker barrier.

• The Chevy Silverado remains one of the most recognizable names among heavy-duty pickup trucks, and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a top choice for anyone who wants a lighter version.
• The tailgate of the Chevy Silverado 1500 gets constant abuse due to impact or regular loading and unloading. Eventually, the tailgate for your Chevy Silverado 1500 will have to be replaced.
• The most common reasons to replace your Chevrolet Silverado tailgate are rusting, heavy dents and scratches, and upgrading to a better tailgate.
• An OE replacement tailgate can set you back around $90 to $500. The final price depends on the components you’re getting and the materials they’re made of.

When the first generation Silverado pickup trucks were launched by Chevrolet in 1999, they quickly became a household name. To this day, the Chevy Silverado remains one of the most recognizable names among heavy-duty pickup trucks, and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 remains a top choice for anyone who wants a lighter version of the popular pickup truck.

The Chevy Silverado 1500 is a rugged truck, and its components are built to withstand tough terrain, handling, and weather conditions. As with other pickup trucks, however, the tailgate of the Chevy Silverado 1500 gets constant abuse due to impact or regular loading and unloading. Eventually, the tailgate for your Chevy Silverado 1500 will have to be replaced.

Although a damaged tailgate won’t really affect your car’s performance, it’s still important to replace it to ensure anything you load in your truck stays secure and keep your truck looking great. Here are some reasons to replace your Chevy Silverado 1500 tailgate:

Rust and corrosion

The tailgate of your Chevy Silverado 1500 is made of metal (aluminum for 2019 models and steel for older models). This means that constant exposure to the elements can cause rust and corrosion build up on it. This can start with the hardware and spread onto the tailgate of your Silverado 1500. To avoid this, it’s important to repair or replace a rusted tailgate as soon as possible.

Collision damage and deep scratches

Small dents and scratches can make your Chevy’s tailgate look unsightly. Good thing they can be sanded down and repainted. For damage caused by heavy impact or very deep scratches, you might want to consider replacing your tailgate instead.

Aesthetic upgrade

If you’re not satisfied with the look of your Silverado 1500’s factory-issued tailgate, there are plenty of aftermarket or OE replacement options that you can choose from. You might want to look into a more lightweight or luxurious material for your tailgate like carbon fiber or platinum.

Before replacing your entire tailgate, make sure that you’ve checked if you can replace individual parts first. Replacing a large panel like your truck’s tailgate can get pricey after all. If only the tailgate handle is broken or if only the mounting hardware has rust, you can choose to replace only those parts first.

An OE replacement tailgate can set you back around $90 to $500. The final price depends on the components you’re getting and the materials they’re made of. Tailgates in the lower price range usually come with just the shell.

If you’re looking for kits that come with mounting hardware, expect to pay a little bit more. At the higher end of the price range, you can get complete tailgate replacement kits, which can include a tailgate handle, all the necessary mounting hardware, and even add-ons, such as a rear step bumper and taillight replacements.

When searching for parts, it’s always important to filter using the make, model, and year of your vehicle to ensure a perfect fit and to save time and effort. For instance, if you’re looking for a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 tailgate, use all three filters to find a direct-fit replacement tailgate fast.

Just like your front bumper, your Chevrolet Silverado 1500 tailgate reflects your personality as the owner of the vehicle. So if you have a dirty and rusty tailgate, then don't expect that people will admire you or your truck. Keeping your tailgate in good shape makes it more durable for you to have more cargos to haul and more tailgate parties to celebrate. Here are some easy ways to maintain your Chevrolet Silverado 1500 tailgate and extend its service life:

Clean it regularly.

Aside from the usual wash that you give to your truck, take time to clean your tailgate and truck bed as thoroughly and as often as possible. Since the tailgate is the entry point of all your cargo, there would always be dirt and spills that could damage it. Use a mild cleanser to clean your tailgate and make sure to let it dry before loading cargo. Water spills could damage its paint and cause it to corrode, so keep it clean before you load and after you unload your cargo.

Apply rust-proofing.

To keep your tailgate from becoming corroded, you can apply a layer of rust-proofing paint or spray on it. You can do this if you are replacing your stock tailgate. Retouch the damaged paint if necessary to keep the raw material from being exposed and prone to damage. Inspect it for rust spots and scratch them off using a sand paper immediately and paint it with a primer that matches the color of your truck.

Replace damaged latch or hinge.

Having a bad latch or broken hinge is not good at all if you frequently use your truck bed for loading cargo. Opening and closing the tailgate would be so much of a hassle if you do not replace your worn-out latch or broken hinge. Replacement parts are readily available in any auto parts store, so don't hesitant to replace the defective parts and restore your tailgate.

Handle it with care.

Whenever you open or close your tailgate, don't slam it or force it to open without turning the latch. Carefully open and close it and keep it lubricated to ensure that it will operate smoothly. When the tailgate won't open or close, you can bring your truck to your mechanic to know what is causing the problem.