Tailgate Down Light?

[Mavelous2023]

If you don't know, get out and look or use the backup camera as suggested earlier. If you don't have a cover on the bed you should be able to see it out the rear view mirror. Even with a bed cover I can still tell if it's up or not to be honest.

In this one thread there is not enough context in my question and everyone has their own great solutions. Thank you. My scenario is I do have a cover and can’t see from the back window. I guess the correct question would be because I have a cover, and i can’t see the back, couldn’t Ford put a “tailgate down” sensor that others could option out of (which seems pretty easy based on the options I can show or not on the dash), which would help me from making dumb ass dad mistakes by driving off when I don’t need to go in R, and not having to think if the tailgate is up or down? I get the answers most say which is check it dumb ass, and what if technology could make it easier for me and it’s a simple add? Why not? If the Ford gods are listening, it could be a feature in the future. This is how we ended up on the moon right?

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[Bob W]

Easy enough to put a tilt switch on the side of the tailgate wired to a light, buzzer, etc., so it activates only when open.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Not in all my years driving a truck did I ever forget to close the tailgate.
But once I did have it down with a load in the bed and backing up to a loading dock. Was using sideview mirrors and forgot the tailgate added a few feet to the length of the truck. Only slight damage when the tailgate hit the wall.

 

[Tech Tye]

I’m gonna install this tilt sensor when I get my truck back. It’s been in the shop since July waiting on a wire harness . I put some addressable LED strip above my console so I can program whatever color/ flash pattern I want. I have too many tools that could fly out if not closed. I have several people using my truck, so it’s not me that would forget to close it
https://a.co/d/iOcph9F
https://a.co/d/ai79bg8
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[BlueOval1954]

I’m gonna install this tilt sensor when I get my truck back. It’s been in the shop since July waiting on a wire harness . I put some addressable LED strip above my console so I can program whatever color/ flash pattern I want. I have too many tools that could fly out if not closed. I have several people using my truck, so it’s not me that would forget to close it
https://a.co/d/iOcph9F
https://a.co/d/ai79bg8
https://a.co/d/dL71pPD

WOW, your truck has been in the shop for 3 months waiting for a wiring harness ? Did some squirrels have a feast on it or what ? If the part shortage is Fords fault, shame on them.

 

[Tech Tye]

No critters, water got in a 40 pin plug under the front left bumper,corroded the pins and gave me a shift sys fault again . Part expected to ship on 11/10/24

 

[Dad]

Not in all my years driving a truck did I ever forget to close the tailgate.
But once I did have it down with a load in the bed and backing up to a loading dock. Was using sideview mirrors and forgot the tailgate added a few feet to the length of the truck. Only slight damage when the tailgate hit the wall.

Only takes that one-time situation to wish you you had some kind of warning.

 

[Kevin DeLuca]

I would like a one time warning along with a sun roof open alert when shutting down. Can’t have everything.

I second the sunroof open warning idea.

 

[LSS]

This looks like another reason to be able to enable the backup camera manually.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I would like a one time warning along with a sun roof open alert when shutting down. Can’t have everything.

I swear it's true! Once a gal (not blonde but cheer leader looker) came back into store and said she had locked keys in car. So I went out and looked= Walla= I came back and got a broom handle and unlocked the toggle through the open sun roof!

 

[sva50233]

Is there a sensor that shows the tailgate is down? I don't think there is and one time almost drove off with it still down. Now, I make sure. Would be good to have a light like a trunk open light on regular cars?

mailbox chime sensor that chimes when box door is in the open/horizontal position

 

[AlpineKid74]

Stop and put it in R seems to be the manual solution. My problem at middle age is the tailgate doesn’t even come into my brain function sometimes. . Just have to do my double checks the old school way.

If you think you have it bad now, wait until you get older. It gets worse.

 

[commadorebob]

I can count on one hand the number of times I have purposefully driven with the tailgate open since owning any truck. I think having a simple notification on the screen isn't a bad option and it wouldn't take but Ford but maybe $1 of parts and labor to implement that can easily be buried into the cost of the truck.

" I would never leave the tailgate open by accident." Of course not. But "hey son..." results in so many things asked to be done not being done.

 

[Mav4Hogie]

Is there a sensor that shows the tailgate is down? I don't think there is and one time almost drove off with it still down. Now, I make sure. Would be good to have a light like a trunk open light on regular cars?

Ha I did that in my old f150 and tossed mine and my daughters hockey gear into the street at the first turn. Thank goodness for honest people. We got it all back later that day. Would be a totally useful add on!!!!

 

[Mav4Hogie]

Stop and put it in R seems to be the manual solution. My problem at middle age is the tailgate doesn’t even come into my brain function sometimes. . Just have to do my double checks the old school way.

Hahaha genious!!!!

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