Tailgate not level with bed.

[Larrythelunatic]

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

This IS AN ISSUE that deserves attention.
Suppose you were carrying a long, stiff, flat load whose balancing point is at the end of the bed. With the tailgate down, and parallel to the bed, some of the load would be taken up by the tailgate. But if the tailgate dips a bit, or even flexes because one cable is longer than the other, then the load would “teeter-totter” as you drove. At one point, ALL OF THE LOAD would be on the pivot point. NOT something to be desired. (Yeah I know, secure it with a line!
But that’s not the point here.)

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[Charles]

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

It’s not “overblown” as far as I’m concerned. MY tailgate, in the opened position, is less than 1/4 inch from coming in contact with the bumper. Doesn’t appear FORD considers it “overblown” since they approved the dealer to order replacement cables.

 

[Gonefishin]

Im sorry but seriously wtf. People claiming to be engineers and wondering what the problem is with a gate that sits lower than the bed… it’s fucking WORTHLESS if it doesn't hold ANY of the load. What am I misunderstanding about this?!? What is different compared the gate literally MISSING from the truck?

Also I’m toasty on Christmas Eve Merry

This IS AN ISSUE that deserves attention.
Suppose you were carrying a long, stiff, flat load whose balancing point is at the end of the bed. With the tailgate down, and parallel to the bed, some of the load would be taken up by the tailgate. But if the tailgate dips a bit, or even flexes because one cable is longer than the other, then the load would “teeter-totter” as you drove. At one point, ALL OF THE LOAD would be on the pivot point. NOT something to be desired. (Yeah I know, secure it with a line!
But that’s not the point here.)

Christmas!

R

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.

If a tailgate does not support the load…it’s not a tailgate. It’s a ramp. Expecting my 2023 XLT to arrive in the next week or two. If it arrives with a ramp…I’ll not be taking it home. Then, someone who prefers a ramp can have it for 5-10k more.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

R

If a tailgate does not support the load…it’s not a tailgate. It’s a ramp. Expecting my 2023 XLT to arrive in the next week or two. If it arrives with a ramp…I’ll not be taking it home. Then, someone who prefers a ramp can have it for 5-10k more.

My 2022 XLT lux built last week of September. The tailgate is basically dead on level. The tailgate at the hinge is about 1/32" higher than the bed, maybe caused by extra thick bed liner on it

 

[Nw_adventure]

Ordered 3 or 4 cables to try and find a set that matched in length- Still cant find 2 of them that are both taught without slack, its either one or the other.

 

[Old Ranchero]

This IS AN ISSUE that deserves attention.
Suppose you were carrying a long, stiff, flat load whose balancing point is at the end of the bed. With the tailgate down, and parallel to the bed, some of the load would be taken up by the tailgate. But if the tailgate dips a bit, or even flexes because one cable is longer than the other, then the load would “teeter-totter” as you drove. At one point, ALL OF THE LOAD would be on the pivot point. NOT something to be desired. (Yeah I know, secure it with a line!
But that’s not the point here.)

You're supposed to use the 3\4 tailgate position for your long, flat loads, and anything longer than 4x8 sheets using the tailgate as a mid way "balance point" doesn't sound smart, or even legal. But you do you.

 

[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 guys making a big deal out of this better get busy on your Class Action lawsuit! I'm sure there's plenty of Slip and Fall lawyers out there who will be waiting in line to take your case and "get you what you DESERVE"

 

[Larrythelunatic]

You're supposed to use the 3\4 tailgate position for your long, flat loads, and anything longer than 4x8 sheets using the tailgate as a mid way "balance point" doesn't sound smart, or even legal. But you do you.

“balancing point is at the end of the bed”, NOT the tailgate.
Pay attention.

You're supposed to use the 3\4 tailgate position for your long, flat loads, and anything longer than 4x8 sheets using the tailgate as a mid way "balance point" doesn't sound smart, or even legal. But you do you.

 

[Charles]

Sounds like you guys making a big deal out of this better get busy on your Class Action lawsuit! I'm sure there's plenty of Slip and Fall lawyers out there who will be waiting in line to take your case and "get you what you DESERVE"

?

 

[Bj517]

R

If a tailgate does not support the load…it’s not a tailgate. It’s a ramp. Expecting my 2023 XLT to arrive in the next week or two. If it arrives with a ramp…I’ll not be taking it home. Then, someone who prefers a ramp can have it for 5-10k more.

It's an issue (and annoys me on my 22) but definitely not a reason to walk away from the truck. That's pretty dramatic. We're talking about a couple $20 cables. Ford or the aftermarket will eventually produce ones that are the correct length

 

[Bj517]

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

You've probably never considered or noticed it with all your prior trucks because those tailgates all sat coplanar with the bed...

It does reduce functionality - a long flat load is either unsupported by the tailgate, or it's flexing downward to rest on the tailgate, either of which may not be great depending on what you're hauling.

 

[Charles]

Ford has acknowledged its a problem, they OK’d the replacement of my cables…..that speaks volumes.

 

[Old Ranchero]

You've probably never considered or noticed it with all your prior trucks because those tailgates all sat coplanar with the bed...

It does reduce functionality - a long flat load is either unsupported by the tailgate, or it's flexing downward to rest on the tailgate, either of which may not be great depending on what you're hauling.

when was the last time you found a perfectly flat 4x8 sheet or long plank wood at Home Depot or similar? They all seem to come pre-bent for us now. Level tailgate is a moot point here...

 

[Old Ranchero]

Ford has acknowledged its a problem, they OK’d the replacement of my cables…..that speaks volumes.

probably because they are scared of that Class Action lawsuit you guy are planning. Either that or they figured cables were cheap price to pay to make you quit complaining and go away. Joke will be on you when replacement set also isn't perfect like you expect.

 

[Old Ranchero]

“balancing point is at the end of the bed”, NOT the tailgate.
Pay attention.

I was more than paying attention. Lifted that term out of 1 of the complaint replies here. And you are implying the tailgate in down position is part of the overall bed length in your arguments. Maybe go back and proofread your diatribes before hitting "Post reply"?

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