My one month old F150's tailgate does not wont to open. I am about to go on holiday ( in an hour) but cannot load my truck! Any ideas on how to open it?

When pressing the remote the light comes on but there is no clicking noise in the back (only in the cab). It is parked outside and it snowed overnight. Surely this is not going to happen every time it snows ( or when I am on holiday)!

Any ideas or quick fixes please!

 

Can you pull it in the garage and aim a heater at it?

 

Try a hair dryer.. What is the outside temperature?

 

Don't think a hair dryer is going to do it... The clicking noise would be the lock opening. Unless it's been pouring rain, then freezing, and a lot got in the tailgate, there's no way that the lock froze. Sounds like maybe something got disconnected?

 

Keep a step ladder in the bed.

 

Better chance he can get his hands on a hair dryer and a extension cord than a garage and a heater in less than 60 minutes. I have had good luck with hair dryer on door locks. Warm tap water also works fast depending of course just how cold it is..

He said there wasn't a clicking noise in back only in the cab. But why a clicking noise in the cab if opening the tailgate? OK just checked mine the clicking in the cab is the turn signals clicking when pushing the tail gate on the fob. So remote is working lock isn't
Would be helpful to know more about his truck, like tailgate step, does the push button on the gate make a noise when pushed, outside temperature etc. not only to help him out but for the rest of us to be forewarned.
Seems he must of got it open and is on his way by now!

 

Did the plug underneath somehow get unplugged or water in it? The electrical connector for the tailgate is underneath. If it isn't connected won't unlock and there is no key lock either.

Learned that the hard way, unhooked it to remove the tailgate and then couldn't unlock the tailgate.

 

It's sad that they've had several owners complain of their tailgates being unable to open or doors either unable to unlock or lock. Perhaps a little more attention in engineering design to insure reliability in the conditions your trucks are used in would be helpful!

I know the Ford guys are going to say their trucks are great, etc.. But how many times has your wife came to you and said, honey can you check my car doors or trunk, as it won't open, or it wont lock? Not many if any.

It's really nice Ford engineers can design seats with massagers in them, but I think most would prefer their doors and tailgate are able to function, and function properly, all the time, so they can use their trucks as they want.

I can see the picture, all the relatives come out to see your new $60,0000 aluminum pickup truck, and you have to ask for a ladder, so you can unload your luggage and gifts!

 

I hope the OP Newbe comes back to update us!

 

Way to often but she drives a Ford Focus station wagon, makes one think they never test anything for real winter conditions!