The Idiot I am ... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Frag · 09-02-2008, 01:16 PM

Hi guys,

The idiot I am lost 600-700$ worth of hiking / camping equipment last weekend because I forgot to close my pickup tailgate … and this is even without talking about the trip that got screwed because of this. On the way to my friend home, the bumps and the acceleration made my gear to fell down on that busy road …and I guess someone was lucky enough to stumble on that brand new gear.

Honestly, it is not the first time that it happens to me, but I was lucky enough to not lose my gear the other times.

Is one of you guys ever done a mod where a light would turn on on the dash boar if the tail gate is open?

For a reason, I am really afraid that it could happen to me again…

Sign: The idiot

el_smurfo · 09-02-2008, 01:33 PM

Maybe you can splice into one of the door switches, so the "door open" indicator on the dash would be on if either the door or the tailgate was open.

grumpyryan · 09-02-2008, 01:36 PM

Tie downs, a bed net or a tailgate lock would've helped you out.

Notty · 09-02-2008, 01:38 PM

An even cheaper mod would be to make a sign and band it to the steeering wheel like RV'ers do it. If you miss that sign than you're beyond help! haha

***05Moose*** · 09-02-2008, 02:34 PM

Uhhh....rear view mirror?

Frag · 09-02-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05Moose

Uhhh....rear view mirror?

I have an Access tailgate cover, so I don't see it when the cover is on and the tail gate is open.

Frag · 09-02-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el_smurfo

Maybe you can splice into one of the door switches, so the "door open" indicator on the dash would be on if either the door or the tailgate was open.

I like the idea!

I wonder what kind of contacts I could use to detect that the tail gate is open.

SOSHiker · 09-02-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frag

I like the idea!

I wonder what kind of contacts I could use to detect that the tail gate is open.

Buy an extra door switch and wire it in...one would think those aren't too expensive even from a dealer.

DanNolan · 09-02-2008, 02:50 PM

screw that, make life real easy, wire in a single switch and LED, the switch making a circuit when its not compressed by the tailgate.

Will require two 16 gauge wires being run from the tailgate to the cab, and a single ground pigtail. Oh and someone will have to locate the correct switch...lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frag

I like the idea!

I wonder what kind of contacts I could use to detect that the tail gate is open.

Larzzzz · 09-02-2008, 05:45 PM

The switch would be normally closed.Closed when the switch is sitting in your hand, Held open when the tailgate is closed.

DanNolan · 09-02-2008, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larzzzz

The switch would be normally closed.Closed when the switch is sitting in your hand, Held open when the tailgate is closed.

Thats the kind he needs, with a 12v supply and a cable to a LED in the cab. Couldn't be simpler. Not unless someone can help locate a 12v source in the rear near the tailgate that's always live when the truck is on.

digijohnson · 09-02-2008, 07:48 PM

Btw, you should check craigslist for a good summaritan. Maybe, just maybe, somebody picked it all up, and posted an ad on craigslist for the person who lost it. Do generic searches like "lost camping/hiking gear". If nothing else, maybe you'll find the guy trying to sell it.

Dark Taco · 09-02-2008, 07:59 PM

I like the led light idea... simple

ldm · 09-02-2008, 08:09 PM

buy a Tonneau cover? It will keep your gear dry and you can lock it. Also if you get one like mine, you can't open the tailgate unless the tonneau is open. So you can't close the tail gate unless the tonneau is open also. So it's hard to miss an open tonneau.

robsatx · 09-02-2008, 08:11 PM

I feel you man! I was heading out hunting and the my buddy did not put the cover on his truck. I lost to Northstar Laterns @ $200 just like that.

He was cool and replaced one of them.