Best Truck Beds & Tailgates in 2022

Last update: December 15, 2022

Dorman 38642 Tailgate Hinge Kit for Select Chevrolet/GMC/Cadillac Trucks Review:


For my 2014 Chevy Silverado, I bought the Dorman hinge assemblies since the old, worn-out hinge mounts were causing the tailgate to rattle a lot.I removed my tome 7 and sprayed some WD-40 inside the tailgate vent hole because the bolts had been there since the truck's manufacture.Although much more substantial than the OEM hinge, the replacements fit just like the original hinge. Only one mounting bolt on the bottom of the tailgate broke off, which I repaired using my welder. I won't ever need to replace these again for the duration of my truck because the first one had been there for 14 years.When replacing the bolts, be sure to use some form of lube in case you need to make any modifications.The product was excellent for the money, and I'm happy with the new replacement components. A little grease should be applied to the surfaces of the moving parts.



Gorilla-Lift 2-Sided Tailgate Lift Assist – Easily Raise and Lower Your Tailgate With One Hand -Model 40101042GS Review:


I couldn't have wished for more successful outcomes. It took me about an hour to install everything by myself, however I might have used some help (as indicated) with the tailgate. Would have been quicker, but two issues with my trailer required some further effort (see below). Nothing to do with the Gorilla-Lift; it was just how I built my trailer.Installation:The rails are made up of two parts that are each three feet long and are bolted together at a distance of one inch from either end. Make sure you can drill through the top rail on your trailer so you can fasten a bolt. They also brought lengthy bolts, so I suppose they sent these in case you had tube railing. The four inside bolts were replaced with shorter bolts. I didn't have to because I prefer the appearance more. On my trailer, the back bolts were situated right in the middle of the wheels. I had to drill through both the lower fender and the top rail. The provided bolts were sufficiently length to pass through both plates. Although the fender is made of a thinner material, it is bonded to the sides of my trailer, hence the capacity is unimportant to me. If anything, I'll just need to install a bigger washer here. They put a vertical channel at the very end of my trailer to hold up the gate locks and stiffen the sidewalls. Fortunately, the bottom of these is open. I managed to obtain a 24 "Install the nut on the bolt and an extension for the sockets.!!!Very significant step Before drilling, make sure to hook the cables to the gate to determine where the permanent attachment should be. I had to move down about 1 foot "from the recommended spot to maintain our tailgate's flatness. Additionally, make sure to test this with your trailer in the typical position. I placed the raise without realizing the trailer was on a tiny incline at the time, so when I moved it the other way, the gate stays off the ground by about 2 inches. Although not a problem for loading an ATV, it might present a trip risk. To ensure that the gate is constantly closed, consider attaching the spare tire to it.How it functionsI can now easily lift the gate by placing my foot below it and giving it a small nudge. Even so, it was closed by my 2-year-old on his own, which might not be a smart idea. To lower, you do need to draw some of it down, whereas earlier you had to take precautions to prevent it from dropping and damaging whatever was beneath.I won't ever own a trailer again without one of these attached to the back gate.



Dee Zee DZ43301 Truck Tailgate Assist Review:


This was installed on a 2014 RAM 1500. It performs just as said. It has greatly pleased me. It is sturdy enough that, after pushing the tailgate handle, it drops down gradually without even needing to be held. neither too quick nor too sluggish. I think it's just fine.Installation: I spent a total of around 20 minutes on it. The guidelines are fairly simple to comprehend and adhere to.Reason #4 for the rating:I had to play with a little bit with the kit's so-called "nutsert" tool. While using the wrench to turn the nut, I had to grasp the insert using needle-nose pliers to prevent it from turning (see instructions). I no longer needed to hold the insert with pliers as it began to squeeze, allowing me to continue according to the directions. Other than that, nothing at all wrong.Additionally, according to the instructions, this can only be fitted on the driver's side. If someone wanted to install it there for any reason, I can't think of any reason why they couldn't. (I believe one is sufficient; I would not necessarily advise adding two as it may be too much and the tailgate may no longer descend on its own.)Naturally, I do advise doing this.NEWS: January 1, 2017Over time, the ball-point bolt that fastens into the tailgate's "squeeze-nut" insert started coming away. I tried to tighten it again and even used Loctite, but the "sceeze-nut" (I'm not sure what the official name is) continued coming loose until it finally fell apart within the tailgate, which was fantastic. When I first tried to fix it by purchasing the same squeeze insert, it failed after installation. But I was able to remedy it by using a barrel nut from the hardware store, which I slightly filed to make the end smooth and round so I could insert it into the tailgate's very sizable and elongated hole. Along with using Loctite, the barrel nut now holds much better than the weak squeeze nut it originally had. Other than that, there are no issues, and my tailgate still lowers smoothly and easily, exactly like the first day. If you install this brand-new, I advise using a barrel nut from the start to prevent problems in the future.



BETOOLL Tailgate Hinge KIT for 99-06 Chevy Silverado GMC Sierra 4 Piece Set Review:


My truck's previous owner must have backed into something when the tailgate was down since the tailgate hinges were bent. My tailgate, however, never properly closed. After enduring this for almost 9 years, I stumbled into this fantastic pair of hinges. They were quite simple to install and have been performing well for several months. They appeared to be of outstanding quality and were a great value. I felt a little foolish for not attempting to fix this years ago. Don't be like me and wait for the nighttime appearance of the magical hinge fairy to repair your bent hinges. Get them now. They fit perfectly in my 2001 Silverado, as promised.



APDTY 035422 Truck Bed Mounting Bolt Nut Hardware Fits 1999-2016 Ford F250 F350 F450 F550 Super Duty Truck (Replaces Replaces W706640-S900, W706641-S900, W708770S436, XC3Z-9900038-AA) Review:


Although this product has received some negative reviews, I took a chance and got it. I'm happy I did. I'm unsure of the origin of the negative reviews. I'm happy with this product because it delivered on my expectations.



Dorman 38427 HELP! Tailgate Striker Bolt for GM Review:


To replace the outdated and worn-out ones on my 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, I purchased this tailgate striker. After doing some research, I tested this exact component on my truck since I was having problems getting the tailgate to stay closed, and I discovered it was nearly worn out.Installation and replacement were quite easy. Be warned that removing the tail light is still necessary to access a washer that is located within; otherwise, you will keep spinning the bolt in place and it won't ever come out.Overall, I'm extremely happy with it and grateful that I was able to find it on Amazon for less money than my neighborhood auto parts shop.



Dee Zee DZ43200 Truck Tailgate Assist Review:


I saw the low-rated reviews after placing my order, and they were all complaining about how challenging it was to install the item. Before sorting reviews by most current, I almost cancelled my order. All of the more recent reviews stated that installation was quite simple, and they WERE RIGHT! DeeZee must have offered new tools and revised their installation instructions. I installed this in approximately 15 minutes thanks to the straightforward directions. So far, it's been quite effective! In colder weather, I have a hunch that it would become a little slower, but I don't mind. I'll revise my ranking if it becomes a significant problem this winter. No more "Oops" for the time being; BAM! (When the tailgate escapes my grasp and crashes to the ground). I now have to adjust to NOT having to hold up the tailgate when it descends.It fit flawlessly and had instructions that were specific to my 2013 Ford F-150 XLT.



Dee Zee DZ43203 Truck Tailgate Assist Review:


I bought this for my early-model 7.3-liter F250 crew cab from 1999. My installation process took approximately 30 minutes and was quite simple. I asked my daughter to give me something from the truck's back a few days ago when I was working underneath the vehicle. To acquire the thing I needed, she had to lower the tailgate. After struggling to unlock it, the weight of the tailgate collapsing was too much for her to bear, nearly knocking her to the ground. Because I frequently try to lower the tailgate while holding anything in my other hand, I started to reflect on how much I personally struggle with it. I pondered whether there was a way to make the old, bulky tailgate on my car drop softly like the modern ones. Sure enough, I looked up this product on Amazon. It is among the nicest things I have ever bought for my truck, and I ordered it. As a rule, I have bad luck with gas springs lasting very long on other things like my toolbox lid, so it will be interesting to see how long the gas spring lasts. After receiving it, the directions stated that it could not be fitted on the passenger side since the tailgate must slide to the right to be removed from the truck. I had hoped to install this on the passenger side of the tailgate. I'm happy with it so far, and if for some reason my opinion of it changes, I'll come back and update my review. If your tailgate is an older, heavier design, you should certainly get this.



Dee Zee DZ43100 Truck Tailgate Assist Review:


It works perfectly. really simple to install If you need them, there are clear instructions and big photographs included. Installing it took less than five minutes. Definitively slows down the tailgate's descent without stopping it. One is sufficient. Just letting the tailgate drop will require some getting used to. I ought to have had one set up years ago.My lone complaint was similar to a few others'. If I used the little washer, the bolt would have been too far out and would have scraped the tailgate. I took out the washer, and things were OK after that. You need a washer that is thinner. In my travels, I will purchase one at the hardware shop. The replacement hardware is utilized in place of the old bolt that was used to attach the tailgate cable. The issue might be resolved if the new bolt were just a little bit shorter. I used the locktite, and I advise everyone to do the same.The item was well-described by the seller, sent quickly, and was packaged securely.What other people's one- and two-star reviews were like is unknown to me. I can only vouch for the accuracy and sincerity of my evaluation. One seems to have been used as a hammer. Perhaps the tailgate cables were brittle and broke, causing the tailgate to fall. Who knows, in truth.In conclusion, I would unquestionably advise getting this for your tailgate. I would repurchase this item from the seller.*** UPDATE*** NEVER overtighten! The piston will become stressed as a result, and it will snap! THE PISTON SNAPPING IN ALL REVIEWS WAS CAUSED BY OVER TIGHTENING.Because I did not overtighten, mine did not snap. When opening and shutting the tailgate, the piston needs to roll slightly. It is YOUR responsibility, not that of the vendor or the manufacturer, if your piston breaks.This is my opinion, which I offer without any promises of free or discounted goods in exchange for a favorable review. This is a buyer/seller only transaction. There aren't any other guarantees that I have made or that the seller has made to me. Before or after this transaction, there is/was no relationship.



Master Lock Tailgate Lock, Stainless Steel, 8253DAT Review:


Our 2002 and 2016 Ford Super duty beds were compatible with this equipment. As seen by other reviewers with their Dodge, Ford F150, and other vehicles, it could not be defeated by sliding or angling to the side on our Ford Super Dutys. Not compatible with *some* Chevys and GMCs. It should say "Fits most late model Ford, GM, Dodge, and Toyota (Note: Does not fit Toyota Tacoma)" rather than "Fits most late model Ford, GM, Dodge, and Toyota (Note: Does not fit Toyota Tacoma)." It also says "Installs in minutes" on the MasterLock website, but it only takes a few seconds once you unlock it and open your tailgate to squeeze the metal toothed slide lock - on.This is one deterrent to tailgate theft; however, a $1 stainless hose clamp might also be effective. Given tools of any consequence, any tailgate lock device can be defeated. If the thief really wants your tailgate, they will get it regardless of what you do; however, you just don't want to be an easy target. Make them work for it.According to the MasterLock website, "Installs in minutes" and "Fits most late model Ford, GM, Dodge, and Toyota" vehicles.