Tailgating

Tailgates are synonymous with sporting events, but they've come to stand for more than just a community of rabid sports fans. A modern tailgate expresses the culture of the city that the team calls…

From the acknowledged champs to the unsung heroes, steaks are the MVPs of any tailgating get-together. But before you toss just any old piece of meat on the grill, you need to know a few things. What…

When it comes to scoring points with your tailgating friends, the drinks you serve are almost as important as the food. While nothing beats the three Bs -- brats, burgers and beer -- when you’re…

Tailgating might be illegal on the road, but in the stadium parking lot, it’s a ticket for fun. This sporting social event has become so popular that there are clubs devoted to pregame partying…

It’s all meat, all the time. No grill is too tough; no coals are too hot. The tongs are at the ready and the marinades have a game plan blended for a run to the title. Welcome to Tailgating,…

The plastic on the dashboard of a Corolla automobile is vulnerable to being scratched by a tossed key or child's toy, or other everyday items. Luckily, scratches in the interior plastic can be…

A tailgate seal is used in pickup trucks. It provides for a tight, waterproof seal between the tailgate and the truck bed, preventing moisture and dirt from entering the bed. It is often used when the…

Toyota trucks are able to carry many objects in their small- to mid-size range beds while providing a economical ride. But sometimes you may need additional length in the bed of your Toyota truck to…

The tailgate on your 1991 Ford F-150 is used to keep loaded items secure in the back of the truck bed. If you are having problems with your F-150's tailgate, you probably need to adjust the alignment.…

Dodge has been manufacturing trucks since 1917. In 1981, Dodge introduced a new name to go along with its trucks, Ram. The 1985 Ram came in both two or four-wheel drive and they were identified by…

The latch cable on your Ford F-250 is necessary for lowering and raising your truck's tailgate. Replacing the cable will be necessary if it breaks or malfunctions, as the tailgate will be stuck. To…

The rear of the 1985 Blazer features a rear hatch and tailgate combination. This means that you need to first open the hatch before lowering the tailgate. A bar on the inside of the tailgate will…

When the locking mechanism or latch on the tailgate of your vehicle breaks, you will need to replace it. Replacing the tailgate latch requires accessing the handle mechanism inside the tailgate. You…

Driving down the road during the summer can be a disgusting experience, especially at night. Sometimes it seems as if every bug in the neighborhood is intent on suicide on your windshield. A hood…

Even though a Mini Cooper is a compact car, it still comes equipped with a tailgate that can be opened, allowing you to load things into the back of the vehicle. If you own a 2002 model year Mini…

Although the bed of a Ford F-150 can hold large amounts of cargo, sometimes you need to fit something in that extends just past the closed tailgate. One way to solve this problem is to install a bed…

A truck lets you haul loads from one place to another. But without an easy way to get heavy items into the bed of the truck, the bed of a truck is useless. Lifting items into the truck bed can be…

Installing a bed extender in your Sport Trac can be a great way to haul a larger load. A bed extender allows you to gain more space on the end of your truck bed by using the normal hatch as added…

When loading and unloading objects from your truck bed, damage can occur decreasing the value of your truck. Things like scratches, dents and paint damage can be prevented on your tailgate by using a…

The Toyota Tundra suffers from a poor rear hatch design which often results in rear latch failure, rendering the rear tailgate inoperative. The issue has been acknowledged by Toyota, particularly…

Repairing the tailgate lock on your 1988 Ford Explorer requires the removal of the tailgate cover plate in order to access the lock. Once removed, you can pry out the locking mechanism and replace the…

The Chevrolet S-10's tail gate latch is held on to the tail gate through a few screws. Once you remove the screws, you can take out the tail gate and disassemble it to repair or replace the locking…

The Ford F-250's tailgate is composed of several latches, bolts and screws. Assembling the tailgate is actually a lot easier than removing it. In order to prevent objects from sliding out of the bed…

The 2005 Dodge RAM is a full-size pickup truck that features a truck bed used to haul equipment and large items. A rear liftgate door is used to access to the truckbed and secure items from falling…

A truck without a working tailgate can cause accidents on the job site and should be repaired immediately. These gates seal off the end of the pickup bed, allowing materials to be carried securely. A…

The tail gate on a Dodge Durango is assembled very similarly to a door. It uses a latch and handle assembly that operates the same way as the truck doors. The tail gate connects to the bed through…

Some Chevy S-10 pickup trucks have problems with the tailgates. The tailgate cables ensure the tailgate stays at the correct level when it is in the down position. Weak cables may result in personal…

The plastic tailgate protector is made of ABS-injected plastic and is usually black. The protector prevents the truck's tailgate from becoming scratched up as you take things in and out of your truck.…

You want to take your ATV on a trip with friends but have no easy way to load it in your truck. You want to help a relative mow his yard but getting your riding mower there provides a problem.…

You may need to remove your Dodge truck's tailgate to accommodate larger loads, load bulky items or provide easier access to the truck's bed. You may also remove the tailgate in an attempt to improve…

Over the last century, one of the most famous pieces of equipment on a pickup is the tailgate. Tailgates open and close, serving many purposes. They can extend the length of your truck, or make…

Getting a pickup truck's tailgate open when it is broken or stuck is a challenging affair. You need to balance the need to open the tailgate with the potential damage you could do to the truck.…

It's Saturday morning--your face is painted in school colors, the cooler is stocked and you're ready to hit the parking lot for some game-day tailgating. There's only one problem: You haven't prepared…

The tailgate on a Ford F-150 works from a rod that is attached to the handle. When the rod gets detached or warped, the handle fails to operate correctly. The workings of the handle can be replaced,…

If you have seen dust, moisture and dirt in the back of your truck, you might need to invest in a tailgate seal. A variety of companies produce tailgate seals that easily affix to your tailgate in…

The Chevy Silverado is a full-size pickup truck that offers several packages that allow owners to upgrade their vehicle. The Z71 off road package includes specific stabilizer bars, gas-charged shock…

The Toyota Tundra is the automaker's full-sized truck offering. This pickup is designed for heavy hauling, off-roading and utility tasks. Toyota has acknowledged problems with the tailgate on the…

Painting a tailgate on a Chevy S10 is no different than painting a tailgate on any other truck. A new look for the tailgate can add a little something extra to the truck for minimal cost. It can be…

Replacing the tailgate cables is necessary when the cables are showing signs of wear. The purpose of the cables is to ensure the tailgate is level with the truck when it is opened. In the absence of…

Painting the tailgate on a Yamaha Rhino is similar to painting the tailgate on any other monster truck. Changing the color of the tailgate can add appeal and value to any truck, including the Yamaha…

Painting the tailgate is one way to add value and appeal to any truck on the road. The Ford F-350 is no different. While the Ford is an extremely large truck, painting its tailgate follows the same…

Isuzu offered six different models in 1999, all of which came with a rear hatch. The lineup consisted of the Oasis minivan, the Hombre pickup truck and four SUVs: the Amigo, Rodeo, Trooper and…

The 2004 Dodge Ram comes with Dodge's Easy-Off tailgate. The simplistic design of this tailgate makes it easier to remove than the tailgates of other trucks. Nevertheless, removing the tailgate is…

There can be a number of reasons why the tailgate handle on your GMC Sonoma truck isn't working, and what you need to do to fix it depends on what the problem is. If the handle itself is broken, you…

The handle on the tailgate of the Nissan Frontier, while quiet strong and durable, is made from plastic. Damage to the handle assembly is not easily fixed and, in most cases, will require the…

The 2007 Dodge Ram Mega Cab SLT is equipped with Dodge's "Easy-Off Tailgate," as is every other 2007 Dodge Ram model. Removing the tailgate is different from other trucks; in many ways it's easier,…

The Ford Excursion, in production from 2000 to 2005, is the largest SUV that Ford has ever manufactured. Equipped with a Tri-door, which has double side-swinging doors and a liftgate, the Excursion…

Taking the tailgate off a 1983 Dodge Ram is a task that can be done in a matter of minutes. The tailgate is held on by two cables; when opened, the tailgate pivots at the end of the truck bed. You…

The Honda Element features a clamshell tailgate with an upper liftgate and a lower tailgate. Washing the tailgate is similar to washing the rest of your car although you will need to pay special…

NASCAR has done for normal, everyday drivers what professional wrestling has done for some avid, devoted followers who take to wrestling outside the ring. People have been driving, on interstate…

A pickup truck is a utilitarian vehicle with a large open bed for hauling heavy or bulky items. The tailgate is located at the rear of the pickup bed, and when unlatched, can be lowered to allow…

The Jeep Wrangler is a versatile vehicle because you can use it for both on-road and off-road driving situations. In warm weather, you can take the top off your Wrangler and enjoy the sunshine. The…

Truck beds are great for hauling large objects from one place to another, but sometimes you want extra security to hold the items in place, so you may want to install a top. These are known by…

Trucks are made for hauling around large or heavy items. Transporting unusually large items in the bed of a truck at times can be a cumbersome task. The Ford F150 is one of the most popular models of…

The bed of your Toyota Tacoma is designed to haul all sorts of goods, but sometimes, it becomes necessary to carry larger items. Traditionally, people would just drop the tailgate and try to figure…

Ford trucks have wide beds that can be used to transport a large variety of construction materials and other items. The objects in the bed are secured by a rear hinged door, commonly referred to as…

The tailgate latch on a 1984 Ford F150 is the small latch bolted to the inside of each bedrail, just above the taillight assembly. When the tailgate is closed, control rods on each side of the…

Hauling heavy, bulky items can be a challenging endeavor. One option is to tow a trailer specially designed for your load. But instead of having to purchase, license and maintain a specialty trailer,…

The GMC Envoy XUV is a five-passenger sport utility vehicle manufactured by General Motors. The Envoy is similar to the Chevy Avalanche and the Trailblazer, but it has a unique feature: The tailgate…

Some problems on your Chevy Silverado's tailgate door can be pretty simple to fix. Issues like a messed-up alignment or a handle that doesn't seem to work can often be things that simply require…

Tailgaters are not just annoying, and can put you in danger with their aggressive driving. Don't let tailgaters make you angry, as there are safe ways to get rid of them. Follow this advice to take…

Many truck owners often need to remove their tailgate. Sometimes this is because they are moving or transporting something large, or it might need repair. While the idea of removing the tailgate on a…

In order to avoid tailgaters, it's important to keep driving the speed limit and to avoid trying to teach the tailgater a lesson. Learn about the appropriate time to call the police about a tailgater…

If you need to remove the tailgate on your Dodge Ram pickup truck, you'll find the task accomplished in no time because the tailgate is designed for easy removal. Dodge designed it this way in the…

Set the spaces from left to right so it fits properly. Learn how to replace a tailgate from a certified professional in this free automotive video.

Where your quarter inch air ratchet won't fit, it's nice to always have a ratcheting set of box wrenches for removing hinge bolts. Learn how to replace a tailgate from a certified professional in this…

Before removing the lift gate have a part stand to set it on so the part center and the inside won't fall out. Learn how to replace a tailgate from a certified professional in this free automotive…

It's a good idea to have a second person to help hold the tailgate while installing the bolts to prevent dings and scratches. Learn how to replace a tailgate from a certified professional in this free…

A tailgate latch is made up of eight pieces. There is the latch handle, the rotating latch mechanism, two rods, two panel latches, one on each side, and the latches' recesses on either side of the…

Tailgates make trucks useful, but only when they work. Sometimes a tailgate can get stuck, which can be frustrating and a hassle. Fixing a stuck tailgate isn't that difficult, however. In this…

Driving on the crowded roads of today's busy highways can be daunting. With all the distractions, anyone can have a hard time just handling the car, let alone other drivers. A common problem for…

Being tailgated can be a very frustrating experience, and can easily lead to road rage--and you never know who might take their road rage to a dangerous level. Staying calm and learning to get out of…