Tailgate not level with bed.

[clavicus]

There is no way to confirm every 2022 had this issue. I recall one post showing one side of the tailgate was different from the other and they had to relocate one of the cable anchors. That was a definite production quality issue and not just an improperly made cable. That too could have been an easy fix with an adjustable cable.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/uneven-tailgate-cable-fix.11270/

I would argue that since no owner of 2022 Mav can show a picture of a coplanar stock bed and tailgate so far, that we can confirm that it was a design flaw of either the post locations or the cables on all 2022 Mavericks. I'm hoping it was a bad spec for cable so that I can get mine replaced.

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[Charles]

Is this really that big of a concern?

Yes it is for me for 2 primary reasons: 1. the tailgate is not properly supporting any load in the open position. 2. When open, the tailgate is about 3/8ths of an inch from hitting the bumper.

 

[JimmyH]

Is this really that big of a concern?

Yes. Yes, it is. Every truck that I’ve owned…more like every truck that I’ve ever dropped a tailgate on, had a tailgate that was level with the bed floor, when open. This is not new technology. There is no crazy advanced feature or functionality that is provided by some state-of-the-art design. This is piss-poor engineering at worst, $h1t build quality at best.

I get it. Some of you people absolutely love your Mavericks. Which is why people seem so quick to dismiss any issues others may have with the design or build quality of the Maverick. I’ve seen people stating that this makes it easier to get in and out of the bed of the truck. Well, with that rationale, maybe we should just shorten the suspension or put smaller tires on the driver’s side, to make it easier to climb in and out of the cab. I saw a post were someone said to just place a 1x4 on the tailgate to act as a shim to help level the load. WTF!?!? If I’m transporting a long flat load, say a long mirror for instance, or my long kayak. I want it to sit flat along the whole length of the bed and tailgate.

Who was responsible for some of the measurements on this thing? The back wheels don’t even sit in the center of the wheel wells. Hell, the Aliens Egyptians built the pyramids about 4500 years ago and they got it right. Some people say that it’s a budget truck and built to a price point. Really? I’ve had budget vehicles and I could rake my fingernail along the hard plastic interiors of those and not get scratches. I do like the Maverick. I’m still hoping to buy one. But my fear is that this really is a result of half-@ass engineering or even rushing to get a vehicle onto the market. To me this calls the long-term reliability of this vehicle into question. That is why I am wondering if this was with everyone’s trucks, just some, or an issue that was resolved for the 2023 model year.

Again, I get that some of you view the Maverick as the best thing on four wheels to roll on this earth. But replies like, “is this really that big of a concern” don’t help any of us asking legitimate questions. To those of you providing actual feedback, thank you.

 

[Charles]

Has anyone received replacement tailgate cables? If so, how long before they were received by your dealer?

 

[Old Ranchero]

Yes. Yes, it is. Every truck that I’ve owned…more like every truck that I’ve ever dropped a tailgate on, had a tailgate that was level with the bed floor, when open. This is not new technology. There is no crazy advanced feature or functionality that is provided by some state-of-the-art design. This is piss-poor engineering at worst, $h1t build quality at best.

I get it. Some of you people absolutely love your Mavericks. Which is why people seem so quick to dismiss any issues others may have with the design or build quality of the Maverick. I’ve seen people stating that this makes it easier to get in and out of the bed of the truck. Well, with that rationale, maybe we should just shorten the suspension or put smaller tires on the driver’s side, to make it easier to climb in and out of the cab. I saw a post were someone said to just place a 1x4 on the tailgate to act as a shim to help level the load. WTF!?!? If I’m transporting a long flat load, say a long mirror for instance, or my long kayak. I want it to sit flat along the whole length of the bed and tailgate.

Who was responsible for some of the measurements on this thing? The back wheels don’t even sit in the center of the wheel wells. Hell, the Aliens Egyptians built the pyramids about 4500 years ago and they got it right. Some people say that it’s a budget truck and built to a price point. Really? I’ve had budget vehicles and I could rake my fingernail along the hard plastic interiors of those and not get scratches. I do like the Maverick. I’m still hoping to buy one. But my fear is that this really is a result of half-@ass engineering or even rushing to get a vehicle onto the market. To me this calls the long-term reliability of this vehicle into question. That is why I am wondering if this was with everyone’s trucks, just some, or an issue that was resolved for the 2023 model year.

Again, I get that some of you view the Maverick as the best thing on four wheels to roll on this earth. But replies like, “is this really that big of a concern” don’t help any of us asking legitimate questions. To those of you providing actual feedback, thank you.

Sounds like you bought the wrong truck to meet your expectations and use requirements. Might be time to consider selling it to eliminate this stress and buy the truck that's a better fit

 

[clavicus]

Sounds like you bought the wrong truck to meet your expectations and use requirements. Might be time to consider selling it to eliminate this stress and buy the truck that's a better fit

We're discussing a design flaw actually flaw is not the right term. Someone made a mistake in the spec, it's not a design choice, unlike JimmyH's comment on the rear wheel location. That's as designed, even if not pretty. But the tailgate issue... It's a mistake made by some entity somewhere in the chain of design to production. I guarantee it's not designed to be that way, because no other truck is designed that way.

 

[Charles]

We're discussing a design flaw actually flaw is not the right term. Someone made a mistake in the spec, it's not a design choice, unlike JimmyH's comment on the rear wheel location. That's as designed, even if not pretty. But the tailgate issue... It's a mistake made by some entity somewhere in the chain of design to production. I guarantee it's not designed to be that way, because no other truck is designed that way.

 

[deej]

As the title suggests, the cables are too long and the tailgate is not level with the bed. It is also not level with the wheel wells when in the half-up position.

FWIW, I just measured my 2023 Lariat which was produced in mid-Feb 2023, and it is slightly low by just under 1/8 of an inch when fully open. I didn't measure in the partially open position.

It is close enough that it is not likely to affect anything I would care to haul back there.

 

[GTBuzz]

Im going to say probably like that on all 2022s. I know mine is. Not sure if it's been fixed with the 2023s.

The angle of my 23 tailgate appears level with the bed. Also the cables on both sides have about the same tension, not the sag like I've seen on 22s.

Although the cable at tailgate assist might be slightly less taught when you "pluck" it. Not sure if tailgate assist plate moving cable inboard 1/8" or so can cause that. But it's barely noticable when you feel them and seems fine.

 

[deej]

My 23 gate appears completely level with the bed. Also the cables on both sides have about the same tension, not the sag like I've seen on 22s.

It looks like you have a rubber bed mat in there, which raises your bed level by a little bit. Your tailgate might actually be a little high without the bed mat. All I have in my bed is a spray in bedliner, on both the bed floor and the tailgate, and my tailgate is 1/8 of an inch low measured the same way you measured.

Apparently there is some slight variance in the tailgate cables.

 

[GTBuzz]

It looks like you have a rubber bed mat in there, which raises your bed level by a little bit. Your tailgate might actually be a little high without the bed mat. All I have in my bed is a spray in bedliner, on both the bed floor and the tailgate, and my tailgate is 1/8 of an inch low measured the same way you measured.

Apparently there is some slight variance in the tailgate cables.

I also have the thick plastic tailgate cover, so that raises the tailgate height some also.

I remember seeing the tailgates last year angled down pretty good after the gate hinge. This one doesnt do that.

 

[deej]

I also have the thick plastic tailgate cover, so that raises the tailgate height some also.

I remember seeing the tailgates last year angled down pretty good after the gate hinge. This one doesnt do that.

Yeah the first post in this thread shows a pretty steep down angle. If I hadn't stuck a straight edge on mine, I would not have known it wasn't level since it is so close.

 

[GTBuzz]

Yeah the first post in this thread shows a pretty steep down angle. If I hadn't stuck a straight edge on mine, I would not have known it wasn't level since it is so close.

Yea I was talking about angle level, not height, compared to the first post. I saw lots of posts last year on it and was very noticable even in truck reviews.

Hopefully Ford has this figured out now.

 

[JimmyH]

Sounds like you bought the wrong truck to meet your expectations and use requirements. Might be time to consider selling it to eliminate this stress and buy the truck that's a better fit

1. I don't have it yet. Attempting to make an informed decision of whether or not to continue waiting or move on, based on valuable feedback from other people.
2. I don't quite get your meaning of "a better fit".
3. No stress here. Again, just getting feedback from current owners, who provide actual value to this forum.
4. What exactly are your expecations for a $30K vehicle in 2023? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Old Ranchero]

We're discussing a design flaw actually flaw is not the right term. Someone made a mistake in the spec, it's not a design choice, unlike JimmyH's comment on the rear wheel location. That's as designed, even if not pretty. But the tailgate issue... It's a mistake made by some entity somewhere in the chain of design to production. I guarantee it's not designed to be that way, because no other truck is designed that way.

It certainly seems to be overblown as an "issue" by some people. I won't list all the trucks I've owned over my lifetime, but this never entered my mind once and never surfaced as a problem in any use case. As long as it sits flush when closed (probably 99% of the time for most owners) and holds it's rated load without failing in down position - it's doing what it was designed to do functionally IMO.

Beyond that, for all we know, that minute offset was intentional to aide assembly or use of the 3/4 load carrying position or some other purpose that isn't affecting functionality or a flush fit in the normally closed position

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