Awhile back I noticed a small dent on the left side of my tailgate above the F150 badge and couldn't figure out how it got there. This weekend another one appeared. I had bought some lumber and driven home with my tailgate down. I don't have mud flaps but, don't know if this would have helped as the projectile(s) are bouncing off the road, from looking at the angle. Just thought I'd put this out for those contemplating driving with the tailgate down for no good reason. I had never experienced this with 'older' pickups. Makes me especially fearful of door dings now.

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1999 F-150 Lariat 4x2
Reg cab Short box Styleside
5.4L 3.55LS
Dark Toreador Red/Gold
VentShades
Tow Pkg
Line-X

 

Hey Raoul

A typical design flaw of most pickups is that the bumper is too close to the lowered tailgate.

If something is resting on your bumper (rocks, sticks, keys, etc), they will surely dent up the lowered tailgate.

Keys got me twice on my last truck. Put a dent right smack in the middle of the lettering (both times).

 

If you had the 8' bed, you wouldn't have to let the tailgate down.

Normal cab- normal bed- abnormal driver... that's me!

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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, 2000 "XLT" wheels, 4.10 gears, Auburn LS, Clarion In-dash CD player, Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars.

2000 4x2 F150 XLT Reg. Cab LWB- 5.4L, Tow Pkg, 3.55LS, CD player,Remote Keyless Entry, Sliding back glass, Special Appearance Pkg., tinted windows, Line-X bedliner, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, 285/60R16 Goodyear Eagle GT IIs and Prime #155 wheels.

http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo

 

I admit I'd like to have that 30 gallon tank you've got.
That's what I get for not buying a 'real' truck.
When I told my dad what I ordered he said, "Why are you getting a short bed, they're useless."

I certainly won't be telling him about this matter.

riotrob, thanks for the bumper tip. That's something even a long bedder could do.

 

Never thought about it, but sounds reasonable to me that rocks could come off the rear tires and hit the open tailgate.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Ditto RiotRob's key fiasco.

Got me twice (slow learner).

 

Well thats some great info on the tailgate I only drove with mine down once for a couple miles to let the big chunk of snow fall out from the one big snow storm I had this past winter so I'll try not to drive with it down and check the bumper before I let it down for rocks sticks key and toools of any kind.

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2000 F150 XLT Reg. cab
4.6 Triton Engine
4x2 3.55 rear end gear
sliding rear window
automatic keyless entry
white styleside short box

 

Got the dent because I laid my keys on the bumper then lowered the gate. My fault for sure.

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1999 oxford wht F150 s/c, 5.4, XLT, ORP, Alpine/Infinity, K&N

 

my 98 had a dent right above the plate. don't try to hook up to a jet ski trailer on a slight slope by yourself. Stupid thing was is that my ball wasn't even the right size.My fault without a doubt.

[This message has been edited by lightningcrashz (edited 08-19-2000).]