I have an 05 Dakota. My tailgate rattles like crazy over any bump I go over. Is this just my truck or is it a common problem? If its a common problem, what have you done to fix it? I have ridden in the back while my wife drove (risking my life) and it seems to be more of an internal rattle inside the tailgate rather than at the sides where it latches to the bed. When I first got the truck the tailgate that was on it rattled. It was pretty messed up cosmetically, so I replaced it with an aftermarket one, which also rattles.

 

if you wiggle it by hand does it rattle? if so follow the noise and see whats making it do that!

 

It does not move or rattle at all by moving it back and forth by hand, it locks up nice and tight to the latching posts. Which is why I believe its something internal in the tailgate. But both tailgates I have had on the truck had the same rattle.

 

hmmmm if i may ask how sure are you its the tailgate? if this is happening even after being replaced maybe its something else? idk maybe if you could reproduce the noise while moving it i could see it but with out noise while moving it even when the tailgate is down like going up and down and side to side it may be something else like rear suspension component if it happens when going over speed bumps!

 

I rode in the back down a bumpy dirt rode and the noise is definitely coming from the tailgate.

I have read some things about being able to somehow adjust the tailgate on Dakotas, does anyone have any info about what this is referring to?

 

i'll ask around...never heard of that before though...hmmm

 

Do you have a tow hitch? Is your receiver in it? See if it's that. My receiver would only rattle when I hit a bump. I applied some 3M rubber sheets and stuck it back in there. Never happened again.

I would think it would be that. I don't really think there is anything heavy enough in the tailgate that would allow it to make so much noise that you would hear it inside the cab.

 

This is a new thing... explain more for us

 

It does rattle a lot more with the receiver in, but I don't have it in unless I am towing. So thats not the problem

 

yeah...but like said theres nothing really heavy enough inside your tailgate to make that ratteling...if so i dont think the tailgate would be optional! i mean you've said you've replaced it and it still does it so it can't be the problem...check the bolts on the towin hitch and make sure theres nothing loose and haning! and make sure the hitch you got is the right size! if to small it will wiggle and hit every time you hit a bump!