Looking for a simple tail gate open warning switch and dash light

[ET bagel]

I am looking for a simple tail gate open warning switch and dash light.
I had one on my old Tacoma. Very simple. A mercury switch in the tail gate wired directly to the warning light near my dash.
can’t find anything like it now.

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[OleFordGuy]

I can’t imagine not knowing the tailgate is down. Think I would know that before I got in truck, a Quick Look in rear view mirror plus a warning when you put it in reverse. But whatever makes ya happy all that matters

 

[ThisWas]

I can’t imagine not knowing the tailgate is down. Think I would know that before I got in truck, a Quick Look in rear view mirror plus a warning when you put it in reverse. But whatever makes ya happy all that matters

I've driven home from the dump with my tailgate open. There's drive-thru parking so I don't use reverse, and if I look in my rear view mirror all I see is my tonneau cover.

To be honest a quick "tailgate open" reminder in the instrument panel would be more useful than "the seatbelt in an unoccupied back seat isn't buckled" reminder.

 

[MikeS1942]

I can’t imagine not knowing the tailgate is down. Think I would know that before I got in truck, a Quick Look in rear view mirror plus a warning when you put it in reverse. But whatever makes ya happy all that matters

I had an open tailgate last winter and was unaware it was open. I tried to open the tailgate, but it was frozen, so I tried to push it back closed. Thinking it was latched, I drove to the grocery store. Leaving and returning from the front of the vehicle, I was not aware the gate had opened while I was driving. A woman in the parking lot flagged me down to make me aware that it was open.
Yes, a warning of some kind would have been handy.

 

[LSchicago]

I've driven home from the dump with my tailgate open. There's drive-thru parking so I don't use reverse, and if I look in my rear view mirror all I see is my tonneau cover.

To be honest a quick "tailgate open" reminder in the instrument panel would be more useful than "the seatbelt in an unoccupied back seat isn't buckled" reminder.

Put truck in reverse before driving. You will know instantly looking at the Back up camera.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I am looking for a simple tail gate open warning switch and dash light.
I had one on my old Tacoma. Very simple. A mercury switch in the tail gate wired directly to the warning light near my dash.
can’t find anything like it now.

Adjusted for inflation how much more was that Tacoma than a Maverick?
Folks keeps wanting Ford to add their small things $$$...
Dimming rearview mirror.
Built-in garage door opener
Tailgate open light
Better interior
Power passenger seat
Auto walk away locking.
Etc..
..to the Maverick. It will be a $70,000 vehicle

 

[HoiToid]

I have a tonneau cover so it blocks my view of tailgate; my solution is a simple Yellow ZipTie tucked under the black trim cover at the top of tailgate so it sticks out enough for me to see in my driverside mirror. If I see it, then the tailgate is up. If I can't see it, then I pull over to check it.
And I don't always approach my truck from the rear since it isn't parked in a detached garage~~~ at least twice I've driven off with tailgate down before the ZipTie solution.

 

[MikeS1942]

Put truck in reverse before driving. You will know instantly looking at the Back up camera.

You're right, it was one of those situations where I was able to just drive out forward, and with the soft open on my tailgate, I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary.

 

[Dave O]

Adjusted for inflation how much more was that Tacoma than a Maverick?
Folks keeps wanting Ford to add their small things $$$...
Dimming rearview mirror.
Built-in garage door opener
Tailgate open light
Better interior
Power passenger seat
Etc..
..to the Maverick. It will be a $70,000 vehicle

I also would like a light confirming my hood is latched, my spare tire is inflated to the correct pressure and my tonneau cover is locked

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I also would like a light confirming my hood is latched, my spare tire is inflated to the correct pressure and my tonneau cover is locked

Sadly,
The population has gotten so preoccupied or fails to use common sense.
Automotive manufacturers have now started installing warning lights alerting drivers that children are still in the backseat.

 

[OleFordGuy]

I'll never understand, how in the world can one be so preoccupied that they forget their own child or pet when getting out of a vehicle and let them die from the heat or freezing cold. Their court sentence should be the same treatment imo.

 

[Daveinva]

I'll never understand, how in the world can one be so preoccupied that they forget their own child or pet when getting out of a vehicle and let them die from the heat or freezing cold. Their court sentence should be the same treatment imo.

The Washington Post did a Pulitzer-winning story on this phenomenon back 15 years ago. In short, EVERYBODY and ANYBODY can make this fatal mistake. There but for the grace...

https://archive.is/2022.08.28-15382...e0fe3a-f580-11e3-a3a5-42be35962a52_story.html

 

[heady]

I remember when we got an old rusted out 1980 Subaru GL as a farm buggy and I was sooo impressed that it had this little picture of the vehicle on the dash with little lights that would light up on that picture for when a door or the tailgate was open or when the 4wd hi/lo lever was engaged it would light up little wheels and differentials on the display. Futuristic!

 

[b25crew]

Just did this in the am. Threw my tool bag in the bed - did not close the gate - back inside grab more crap threw it in the back seat - hit reverse - hmmmm I am seeing a view of the hitch receiver - oops!!! - - - I can see the top of the tail gate above the T cover but I have to "LOOK!"

 

[Dave O]

I doubt anyone would forget and leave thousands of dollars in cash out in the open laying on the backseat of their vehicle - but they would a child or pet which is much more valuable and irreplaceable if you are licensed to drive any vehicle you have responsibilities I forgot is not an acceptable excuse ever…

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