Is my tailgate closed? Now I know for sure...

[Spike]

I often travel with assorted items in my bed and I'll admit I'm a little absent minded when it comes to closing the tailgate. During the day I can look in the mirror and see if that little 'lip' is above the horizon but at night it's impossible. I tried reflective tape first, but it kept falling off in the weather. So I went ahead and installed a small reflector that faces the cab. Now I can tap the brakes and it if the tailgate is up then the reflector lights up nice a bright in my mirror and I am reassured nothing is gonna go falling out of the back while I drive.

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[WannaMav]

Or you could just flip on the rear view camera.

Cute DIY, regardless.

 

[Spike]

Or you could just flip on the rear view camera.

Cute DIY, regardless.

Thank you. Yeah but that’s tough to do whilst driving down the freeway and suddenly realizing you may have forgotten to close it.

 

[WannaMav]

Also, FYI, from the owner's manual, there's a trouble light on the instrument panel:

 

[Spike]

Also, FYI, from the owner's manual, there's a trouble light on the instrument panel:

well don't I feel stupid....I even looked and didn't see that. I'll have to run out to the truck now to look.

 

[Spike]

Ok just ran out and have no such light on my dash. I'll take a deeper look tomorrow but I can't find it to save my life.

 

[LadyMav]

Also, FYI, from the owner's manual, there's a trouble light on the instrument panel:

Thanks for sharing, I didn’t realize that I started a previous thread about this…I’m more careful now.

 

[19mustang65]

Drop the tailgate and start the truck and put it in drive. That should trigger the light of its there

 

[Spike]

Drop the tailgate and start the truck and put it in drive. That should trigger the light of its there

Sadly it still doesn't show up. I've tried all kinds of combinations. I have a Lux XLT FX4 CP360 and it's just not there. I'll swing by the dealer and see if they can help.

 

[bgn]

I don't have it either...

 

[Portcqb]

Yah no indicator for the tailgate being down its possible it comes on when its closed but only partly latched but haven't tested that possibility

 

[19mustang65]

Never even thought about it about that being a problem. Never had a bed cover. Would suck to show up somewhere with missing stuff

 

[Spike]

@fordvideoguy any chance you have insight on the 'tailgate ajar' light that should be going on. The manual doesn't make any stipulations as to only certain models having it and my hood light comes on when open so I know that works. Any help would be great. Thank you.

 

[JBL14]

I like your fool proof idea anyway. What if the electric switch fails or gets wet and does not signal the dash? Now you just glance at the red reflector, hop in the truck and go fast with confidence. I may do this DIY also.

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