Tailgate icing up! Can't open tailgate!!!

Anyone else having trouble dropping the tailgate in snow/ice conditions? I've had multiple issues recently where I open the back window on the canopy, and when I try to drop the tailgate - it's frozen/iced up somewhere, somehow. I'm pulling hard enough on the tailgate that the truck is moving, and nothing is budging. Perhaps water is draining from the canopy into the latches on the side of the tailgate - and if temps are right things are icing up? Once it warms up above freezing, the problem goes away. I was going to stop by the dealer yesterday to ask, but came to my senses and figured I'd get better info here.

 

Did you wash your truck and get water in your locking mechanism somehow? When you get it open, spray some silicone or WD40 on the locking pins on bed and that should help...

 

I didn't wash it recently, but as mentioned it's possible that water could be draining from canopy via snow melt onto the side latches - and then freezing at night. I have not had a similar issue on my '05 with canopy, but obviously something is different on the '21 Tundra with canopy. This has happened multiple times in freezing conditions. Yes, agree spraying some WD40 might help but also interested in whether anyone has identified exactly what is icing up and then figure out how to eliminate the primary issue - if possible.

 

I've run into this with several vehicles over the years, though thankfully, not this one yet.

anyway, dumping a half gallon or so of windshield washer fluid/deicer over the frozen up parts will get you going again, and likely prevent whatever froze from re-freezing.

 

Me thinking outside the box, but it's obviously water draining into the areas you don't want it and freezing. Could it be that the canopy has weatherstrip or some sort of molding that is routing the water that way? Maybe that could be changed somehow to divert that water?

 

I think it's this. Water was draining from the top of my Leer topper via the molding and freezing the window latch. I think it's draining into my tailgate now and freezing, but I've only had it happen once so far this winter.

 

Do you have a tonneau cover? My 2019 will freeze where the top part of the tailgate comes in contact with the tonneau cover and it won't open, have to pour hot water on it.

 

I do think there is a chance that some of the weatherstripping is freezing up and preventing the tailgate from opening. When I opened the tailgate yesterday after it thawed, I could see moisture on the ends of the tailgate where it contacts with some gasket weatherstripping material. When frozen shut, it sure feels like it's more of an issue, but this contact point with weatherstripping is definitely a suspect. Of course, it has warmed up now to where I can't test the theory. But I will take a closer look. I'll post a photo later today. Thanks!

 

I have had this happen just recently, it froze where the tonneau cover covers the lip of the tailgate. I poured some warm water on there and it opened right up.

 

I'd try spraying that weatherstrip with silicone spray. It couldn't hurt.

 

Will do. Thanks Mr. Ed!

 

That's a good idea (but I'd wipe it on with a rag...)

I'm having trouble this year with my Diamondback HD. The weather stripping is freezing to the top of my tailgate. It's a bugger. Didn't happen last winter.

 

I will need another freeze cycle or two to confirm, but here is a close up of my Tundra with a Snugtop Super Sport topper. Sandwiched between the top corner of the tailgate and the canopy, there is some rubber gasket material affixed to the canopy that appears to be freezing up and preventing me from dropping the tailgate until it thaws. Hopefully the description is adequate as I couldn't figure out how to circle it on my photo. Showing my age perhaps.

 

That's exactly what happened to me this morning on my '22. Thanks a lot!

 

I spray silicone on the top of my tailgate and the top of the bed rails and spray the weatherstrip of my cover several times a winter. It will get frozen.

 

It's bc you have a topper . I have the exact same issue. It has something to do with the topper hatch because.mine never did it prior to adding that. I just spray deicer on it

 

I’m having the same thing with my 2020. Never owned a pu before so this is new. I have sprayed wd40 the first time this happened. My driveway is on a little slope and I back in. Wondering if there is a more permanent fix as we are just entering cold season -20 C. I do have a tonneau cover but I can tell that it’s the lock not the cover. I don’t want to pull too hard as I can see the metal flexing near the handle

 

For Weatherstrip or Rubber : Silicone spray, DuPont Spray Snow and Ice Repellent, or Nextzett Gummi Pflege Weather Seal Conditioner

 

One can also rub some Vaseline on that barrier strip in the winter and wipe it off in warmer months...that's what I've been doing with great success...also, that's what she said

 

For me it’s not the cover. I don’t think it’s something else

 

Happened to me twice so far this year in NC. I have sprayed WD40 in the latches and handles to see if this helps. We had rain, freezing rain, then snow and single digit temps. Not sure I can fight that other than cover the whole truck which will not happen. I will post if it helps next time we get some similar conditions.