MidnightM

Hello hello,

Turns out your tailgate can be the difference between getting the job done and just driving around a nice truck...

I've got a 2018 F-150 XLT Sport Screw 302A with the 5.0 (in the event anyone wanted to know the exact model) and for the past two days I haven't been able to get into the bed of my truck. I'm assuming either the tailgate or latch mechanism is frozen based on the fact I can still yank the thing and it moves just a bit but due to my tonneau cover I can't seem to get into that space.

I've called the local Ford dealer who've scheduled me in for the coming week but not sure if anyone else has gone through this and whether the fix has remedied the issue. I'm going to start with a heat gun?

I just want to get to my tools

riptide88

I had this happen to mine the first weekend of ownership and had to drive around for 2 days with the tail gate down. Mine was from the car wash though and now i know i have to avoid the cracks with the spray.

I would avoid the heat gun if possible and just use a blow dryer, heat guns are intense and you could cause damage fast. Depending on how cold it is im sure a blow dryer will be a quick job.

royboyz

Do you have a tailgate step? If so do this for a few minutes and the lock will start working again. I've had to do this a number of times. I know the feeling.

skinnyb

My 16 did this last winter. I was in the same boat as all my tools and supplies were in the back. I had to go home for the day, I couldn't do my job. Stopped by the dealer and they scheduled a service appointment to install some shields for the latch for the following week. I went home and parked the @$$ end in the sun and the radiant heat was enough to thaw so I could open it. I then took off the tailgate inner panel and unplugged the lock solenoid and left it unlocked for the few days till I got it serviced. I then bought a DU-HA under seat storage tray and put most of my more valuable and important tools under the back seat.. Never froze again till I traded it last fall.

4leggedbucket

I dont even wanna try opening mine...couldn't fight the urge to wash my truck today (-7)...I figure since the door locks and latches have been froze all week what do I got to lose lol. It's amazing that after how many years ford still can't get it right lmao

RSamSilverBullet

I'm trying the external approach... JHFC! It's not that I need in the bed, but kinda makes it a 4 door car without a trunk... I have an Advantage clamp on cover that is of course installed, and I can't even get to the step to raise it up to hit it with the blow dryer. When I cycle the locks, I can't even hear it trying. Looked at connection under hood to make sure it was seated. Seemed to be. Ugh. 1200 miles and $70k, greaaattt...

Glassguy72

I had the same thing happen on my 16 with the tailgate step, my 18 has no step and hasn't froze (yet).

Wicked ace

Same here as well a few weeks ago. We had had wet snow / ice / freezing rain that I think dripped down onto the latch pins on the tailgate sides. Pulling on the handle didn't work nor clearing the ice / snow from the top rail. It warmed up later in the day and I was able to open the gate.
I already had an appointment scheduled two days later and bought it up with the service writer. Of course they found nothing.

xrlizard

Mine has frozen before, and my cover also froze to the gate, making it that much harder to break loose. Good luck.

RSamSilverBullet

Actually, I'm not sure it's frozen, inside or outside. When I cycle the locks, I can't hear anything inside of it, and the button doesn't make any noise like activating an actuator. The camera works, as does the puddle light. Two service departments had never heard of the issue. Fantastic... I like the auto open, but would like for it to actually open. 1300 miles, $70k dollars...