Lossing rear license plate!

[Flying Biker]

Well after searching this forum, it seems like I am the only one with this issue.

I pull a Hallmark enclosed trailer every now and then and the wind eddy between the truck and the trailer just keeps ripping the rear license plate off. I have lost two and almost a third from this already and it seems like no matter what I do, nothing helps. I have tried 1 inch washers, a license plate frame, and even bent the lower part of the plate so it will sit against the vehicle.

The first time I lost one, I didn't think a whole lot about it even though the screws were still there. This one had the frame around it. But I went on a trip this last week and during a fuel stop, I noticed my plate was missing again. I have a dealers plate that I always carry with me so I put it on for the duration of the trip. Because I was trailering my motorcycle, I have a tool chest that I carry that also has an assortment of bolts and other hardware. I found two 1 inch fender washers and I put those over the plate and I bent the plate inwards in hopes to force the air over the top of the plate instead of behind it. After about another 500 miles, I started hearing a sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. I pull over and find that the right side had already ripped out and the left was close behind. Had I gone a few more miles, I would have probably lost that one.

Anyone have any other ideas? I am at a lose at what else I can do to try to prevent this, other than quit pulling the trailer!

BTW, This is on a 2004 4R. I can not believe that they only have 2 bolts for the lp.

 

[R.A.]

I know what you mean about Toyota only putting two license plates nuts to hold down the license plate. The LP rattles with only two.

Have you tried using a lock washer on the license plate bolts?

Also, what you might try, is take off the inside panel to the lift gate, and put on longer license plate bolts with fender washers. Then on the inside of the liftgate, put lock nuts on the LP bolts.

It's a lot of work to do, but I doubt it would come off.

 

[Flying Biker]

I know what you mean about Toyota only putting two license plates nuts to hold down the license plate. The LP rattles with only two.

Have you tried using a lock washer on the license plate bolts?

Also, what you might try, is take off the inside panel to the lift gate, and put on longer license plate bolts with fender washers. Then on the inside of the liftgate, put lock nuts on the LP bolts.

It's a lot of work to do, but I doubt it would come off.

Its not a bolt come out issue, It is actually ripping the license plate off by tearing the metal because of so much turbulence back there. If it were just an issue of the bolts coming out, I have blue and red locktite that would fix that :wow2:

 

[R.A.]

I understand.

 

[riceandpho]

put couple pieces of double sided tape behind the plate and then screw the plate down, it should help it from falling off.

 

[jow]

Would a sheet of 1/8th thick lexan plastic over the plate reduce the turbulence? It could be heated and formed at a slight angle to add more pressure to the area where there are no bolts. OR! Add two bolts-to-plate in the lexan where there are no bolts. I just purchased an 07 T4R and I had an issue with wind noise from the front until I noticed the 2 bolts w/n tight (just started). Now I notice the hood, doors, etc are so light and can be dangerous in high wind. Nothing like “Old Iron” except maybe fewer miles. I’ll have to say that it's the best design and welded frame I have seen in my 40 + years of wrenching. jow

 

[jetboy1975]

I had it happen too! While towing my hybrid to the East coast I kept hearing a rattling noise, thought it was the propane tanks or something. I kept stopping and strapping things down but nothing would fix it. On the 3rd stop I saw the licence plate. It was bent and pointing upwards, tore the plate and was just barely hanging on. The next stop I secured it again with some large washers and it's been ok since. I have a different trailer now with no problems so far but I think the aerodynamics are different.
Does yours have the rear roof spoiler? I figured that was the cause on mine when it deflected the air downward and it hit the air coming up from under the truck. I was going to put some tape on and block the gap between the roof and spoiler to see if it made a difference but never got around to it. Might be worth a try.

 

[TechWrench]

That is an unusual problem. I have been towing with my '03 since I have owned it, 5 or 6 different types of trailers, and haven't noticed any type of problem with my rear plate. Someone mentioned that having the rear spoiler might be contributing to the air flow problem. I don't have a rear spoiler, so not sure if having one could be an issue. Maybe adding some type of air dam below the plate to re-direct the upward flow of air over the plate instead of allowing it to go behind it might work? Also, do you by any chance use any type of roof rack, or luggage carrier on the roof that might effect the air flow over the vehicle?

 

[Kmvreter]

Its not a bolt come out issue, It is actually ripping the license plate off by tearing the metal because of so much turbulence back there...

Mine wasn't tearing off due to towing but I had a rattle from the loose plate bottom. Stuck a couple of 1x1" square tabs of velcro in the bottom corners to hold the plate down. Should also work for this issue.

 

[texastony]

loc-tite on bolt threads

 

[K.C.]

You can always get a sticker/decal made that LOOKS exactly like your license plate.

That's what I saw on a Ford F-150 SVT Lighting.

I did not notice a difference till my buddy mentioned it.

 

[JayKumar]

What you need is a METAL license plate frame that has clips on the bottom. The license plate itself clips into the bottom channel of the frame and secures it while the two screws on top secure the top.

 

[keitht253]

Why not just use some self tapping screws on the bottom holes? I seriously doubt it would adversely affect anything (including resale value, etc).

 

[Flying Biker]

What you need is a METAL license plate frame that has clips on the bottom. The license plate itself clips into the bottom channel of the frame and secures it while the two screws on top secure the top.

Yea, I was actually thinking of making something along those lines by cutting two strips of metal and attaching them from top to bottom along the bolt lines with a curved over part above and below the plate for the plate to sit in. That way the metal is taking the brunt of the turbulence and not the plate. So between the added strength of the metal along with the plate, I think I should be OK.

 

[Flying Biker]

I had it happen too! While towing my hybrid to the East coast I kept hearing a rattling noise, thought it was the propane tanks or something. I kept stopping and strapping things down but nothing would fix it. On the 3rd stop I saw the licence plate. It was bent and pointing upwards, tore the plate and was just barely hanging on. The next stop I secured it again with some large washers and it's been ok since. I have a different trailer now with no problems so far but I think the aerodynamics are different.
Does yours have the rear roof spoiler? I figured that was the cause on mine when it deflected the air downward and it hit the air coming up from under the truck. I was going to put some tape on and block the gap between the roof and spoiler to see if it made a difference but never got around to it. Might be worth a try.

Yea, Mine does have a rear roof spoiler. I have to wonder if that is the culprit then. I did not have anything on the roof rack and the cross bars are where they should be (according to the arrows on it) to prevent any wind noise.

I think I am going to try making a metal bracket for it first and then just monitor it for awhile to see how things go. I don't have anything scheduled with that trailer for awhile, though here in a few weeks I do have to tow my horse trailer into the mountains for a little get away. It has a different shape up front so I bet I will not see the same issues with it though.

BTW, It took me all day and 3 trips to the DMV to get the new plates. I do not want to do that again!