Tieing down the tailgate

[skategoat]

I don't know about you guys but I have many occasions where I have a load that sticks out the back of the 4Runner. This requires that I tie down the tailgate. But, I have not yet found a good way to do this. One time, I opened the rear window, wrapped a strap around the entire gate and tied to that. Another time, I tied my strap to the tow hitch and the other end to the pull strap on the gate. In the latter situation, I was really nervous about pulling out the strap or breaking it.

What do you guys do? I was thinking of using magnetic cord holders like these:

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.asp?SID=&ccurrency=1&page=10133&category=2,43288,42182

Unless someone has thought of something different. I actually don't mind drilling a hole into the inside tailgate cover to attach a hook to something solid inside.

 

[bryancos]

I hauled a bunch of 4x4s and 2x8s by folding down the rear seats (obvious) then lowering the rear glass all the way down and laying a heavy blanket over the bottom of the window frame and carefully inserted the lumber and laid it on the padded frame, and then used a couple of bungees to strap them in place so they didn't slide aroud or damage the window frame. Then attached the red flag to the part that was sticking out. (per local laws) Home Depot is less than a couple miles away from my house though. Probably not a good idea for a long trip, but it worked great and no damage to the tailgate/window frame!

If I had to strap down the tailgate, doing what you did sounds pretty logical, and much more sturdy than relying on the flimsy strap as a tie down point. If you have a really large load, borrow someone's pickup, or pay the $20 truck rental fee or just pay to have the materials delivered. I'd rather pay a little extra than to risk damage to the vehicle or having a mishap on the road.

 

[DaveS]

My plan is to hire a trailer from home depot if I have big stuff to take home - part of why I wanted the hitch that comes with the 4Runner.

 

[jharris2]

I'd worry that the cord holders would not be strong enough. The one time I had a load that was too long for the truck and too wide for the window (plywood, if I recall), I used the pull strap and drove home slowly.

We plan to get a utility trailer -- that's why I sold the pickup. Just haven't done that yet. Until then, I'll rent or borrow a pickup if needed.

 

[skategoat]

The reason I bought a truck is to be somewhat self-sufficient when it comes to projects. My local yard delivers for a very reasonable fee of $10 but there's all those last minute items that you just have to go get without much notice. Last week, I had to carry a 30x32 fibreglas shower stall. What a PITA.

As for trailer, I already have TWO boat trailers in the yard. It's going to start looking like a redneck residence if I get a utility trailer. I have to think of something.

 

[EDGE]

I leave the door open and just tie the stuff down with all the hooks in the back, the longest I had stuff sticking out the back was when I laid 2x16 boards in the back, thats like half in, half sticking out, anything after 14 feet is to long unless you put shorter boards on top of them to way them down.

I put an 8 foot tall Norway Spruce in the back of my truck, the ball was like 300lbs guys said I needed a pickup, shocked him with my leather and Nav: he was like your gonna put this in that:awais:

 

[bryancos]

Now THAT is something I would have liked to have seen a photo of!

 

[DaveS]

When I was washing the 4Runner this weekend I noticed there are a couple of holes in the bottom of the tailgate already with rubber grommets in them - maybe you could get a hook to fit these?