I don't know which is more annoying, the fact that I whacked my tailgate, or the fact that I have NO idea how/when it happened.

Noticed it this morning when hooking up the big trailer.

Obviously I must've backed into something with the tailgate down but I have no recollection of it and I'd think a dent that big would have involved a pretty good thump.

Good new is, there's an outfit on FeeBay that sells new OEM takeoffs very reasonably: $400 shipped.

A body shop would want $1000 or more I'm sure, if they'd even touch it and I shudder to think what my friendly local Ford dealer would want.

quote:

Obviously I must've backed into something with the tailgate down but I have no recollection of it and I'd think a dent that big would have involved a pretty good thump.

Or, more likely someone else who has a beef with you did it. Otherwise, I would be concerned about your lack of recollection of the significant incident you were responsible for.

I came out of my doctors office about 6 months ago and found the imprint of a size 12 boot square in the back of my F-350’s tailgate. Not only did it dent the tailgate but there were severe scratches as well. I had parked in the outer portion of the lot and took up two spaces due to the truck being so long as I’ve done a hundred times before. There were plenty of empty spaces.

Some people just suck!

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

Or, more likely someone else who has a beef with you did it. Otherwise, I would be concerned about your lack of recollection of the significant incident you were responsible for.

That concerns me WAY more than the damage. I'm 99.9% sure it's all on me, I'm not aware of anyone I've pissed off.

I just wanted to pull my 5th wheel forward 5' went through all of the motions to make that happen except putting the safety pin in that locks the release handle. I swear I read in the manual for the hitch that once king pin was locked in the jaws would not open unless the handle was pulled and putting the pin in was an awkward affair.

I pulled the truck forward, the jaws let loose, and the 5th wheel dropped onto my bed and tailgate leaving the tailgate looking a bit like yours. $2,000 later I had a new tailgate painted matching pearl white like the rest of the truck. You are lucky you can buy a take off that already matches for so little.

I wish I didn't remember how I dented mine.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
That concerns me WAY more than the damage. I'm 99.9% sure it's all on me, I'm not aware of anyone I've pissed off.

Recommend medical (with detailed neurological included) check-up sooner than later.

Anything recently loaded with a fork lift at the hardware store?

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

Recommend medical (with detailed neurological included) check-up sooner than later.

The thought has occurred.

I'm a little concerned about the impact of such a request on other things tho. Pretty sure you know what I mean.

I'll talk to my VA doc about it.

Dash cam front and back.

It was pointed out to me that the body is aluminum. I thought that only applied to the 150's.

While still bothered by the fact that I don't know how it happened, that helps somewhat as it means it wouldn't have taken as much of an impact as I thought to do that much damage.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
It was pointed out to me that the body is aluminum. I thought that only applied to the 150's.

While still bothered by the fact that I don't know how it happened, that helps somewhat as it means it wouldn't have taken as much of an impact as I thought to do that much damage.

Maybe try reviewing all the posts in the “Backing In Large Pickups in Parking Lots” thread to see if you wrote something there a few days ago and then forgot about it?

quote:

Originally posted by tsmccull:

Maybe try reviewing all the posts in the “Backing In Large Pickups in Parking Lots” thread to see if you wrote something there a few days ago and then forgot about it?

Yeah don’t claim it. I have 8 vehicles, half of those are bikes so I’m not rich or wealthy. And 3 of those bikes are 16 years old at this point. But I’m an insurance SME. Today, basically, if it’s $2500 in damage or less, it’s just not worth making a claim. Pay it out of pocket. Even on comprehensive, not collision, they’ll still raise your policy rate, even though comp is supposed to be exempt. Only collision or liability should cause an increase in policy on annual renewal. But this is reality. I’ve had so many lengthy discussions with my insurance broker over the years. I have 2 auto policies, 1 watercraft, and 1 bike policy. So that’s 4 in total. Then as OP described, you’re fucked with new OEM part cost. They’ve jacked all that up too.

Claiming it on my insurance never even crossed my mind. Plan "A" is already cheaper than my deductible.

Oh no Paul!!

Well things happen.

I see you can get a replacement tailgate for $400? That's a good deal.

Paul my friend, I don't want to get into the Ford vs Chevrolet truck argument. Having said that, research shows that there may be a new option for a replacement tailgate.

Turns out that now allegedly you can buy a replacement tailgate, designed for Ford pickups, with a really awesome feature.

I've been told you can now get one with a heated tailgate. How awesome is that?

Get the one with the heated tailgate.

Again, not to get into the old Ford vs Chevy pickup debate, and since you live in the cold winter State of Maine, getting the heated tailgate will make it so much easier to push the Ford, Chevy vs Ford reliability, your hands won't get so cold in Maine with new heated tailgate option.

Not available on the Chevy trucks.

OK Paul, just messing with you, no offense intended. I apologize now.
.

Gene, you know Jesus drove a Ford, right?

Walked everywhere He went...

^^^ I'll be using that all day today.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
^^^ I'll be using that all day today.

I'll be here all week. Tip your waitress...

I've seen that a few times back in the day when someone hooked up a trailer and left the tailgate down, then proceeded to make a left turn.

quote:

Originally posted by dsiets:
I've seen that a few times back in the day when someone hooked up a trailer and left the tailgate down, then proceeded to make a left turn.

Yup, BTDT but that's not what happened in this case. Still wondering how I did it.

About a month after I got it, I jackknifed the trailer getting out of a tight spot and took out the right taillight lens with the spare tire mount on the trailer tongue. I have since moved the spare...