tailgate is locked shut

[21F150_208]

I had my tailgate off for the summer because I had a Four Wheel camper in the bed of my 2021 Powerboost 302A. I just put the camper away for the Winter and reinstalled the tailgate. I closed the tailgate after mounting it. However, the tailgate locked itself and I have no way to unlock it that I can figure out.

I intended to reconnect the tailgate wiring harness as the next step in the process, but the harness is on the outside of the bumper so I can't reconnect the wires. If I had feed the wiring harness before closing the tailgate I would have avoided this issue.

As it looks right now, I will need to remove the plates on the tailgate to gain access to the latching mechanism on the inside of the tailgate. Is there some other way?

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[RickBullotta]

So you tried the key???

 

[21F150_208]

So you tried the key???

there is no lock for a key on the tailgate.

I spoke to the dealer and they confirmed you have to remove the tailgate panels. I did that and bingo.

Looking for a Ford service manual that details the harness reconnect steps. The 2021 has a wiring holder that needs to be released. There is nothing in the Owners Manual and no YouTubes on the release trick.

 

[Pete6114]

there is no lock for a key on the tailgate.

I spoke to the dealer and they confirmed you have to remove the tailgate panels. I did that and bingo.

Looking for a Ford service manual that details the harness reconnect steps. The 2021 has a wiring holder that needs to be released. There is nothing in the Owners Manual and no YouTubes on the release trick.

Your dealers service department can print that page out for you!

 

[RickBullotta]

there is no lock for a key on the tailgate.

I spoke to the dealer and they confirmed you have to remove the tailgate panels. I did that and bingo.

Looking for a Ford service manual that details the harness reconnect steps. The 2021 has a wiring holder that needs to be released. There is nothing in the Owners Manual and no YouTubes on the release trick.

It's not on the tailgate, but isn't there a key below the tailgate on yours???

 

[HSV_MIkeJ]

It's not on the tailgate, but isn't there a key below the tailgate on yours???

That key near the tag is to pull a plug out that lets you drop your spare tire.

 

[RickBullotta]

That key near the tag is to pull a plug out that lets you drop your spare tire.

D'oh! I'm a dumbass.

 

[21F150_208]

It's not on the tailgate, but isn't there a key below the tailgate on yours???

There isn't. It's all electronic. Since the tailgate wiring harness isn't connected to the truck it's a manual disassembly. The older F-150's didn't have this harness holder - it looks like it came out on the 21's - the 2020 YT video I found doesn't look anything like this elaborate piece.

I will post a picture of the wiring harness holder as well as the service instructions.

I am completely confident that I can rip this stuff into submission, but I'm looking to adhere to Thomas Jefferson's "Take things always by their smooth handle". I need to do this every time I take the camper on/off and I want to keep these connections tight for as long as I own the truck.

 

[RickBullotta]

There isn't. It's all electronic. Since the tailgate wiring harness isn't connected to the truck it's a manual disassembly. The older F-150's didn't have this harness holder - it looks like it came out on the 21's - the 2020 YT video I found doesn't look anything like this elaborate piece.

I will post a picture of the wiring harness holder as well as the service instructions.

I am completely confident that I can rip this stuff into submission, but I'm looking to adhere to Thomas Jefferson's "Take things always by their smooth handle". I need to do this every time I take the camper on/off and I want to keep these connections tight for as long as I own the truck.

Yeah, I thought the spare tire lock was a backup mechanical lock for the tailgate. Definitely not!

Have you thought about a hitch extension or rotating your camper's jack to avoid needing to remove the tailgate?

 

[Buyer2021]

Have you thought about a hitch extension or rotating your camper's jack to avoid needing to remove the tailgate?

The "Four Wheel Camper" referenced in the OP is a nifty in-bed camper (as stated in that OP), not a trailer. When placed in the truck bed the tailgate is removed, the camper has its own 'back wall' extending from the top down to the truck bed floor.

 

[21F150_208]

The "Four Wheel Camper" referenced in the OP is a nifty in-bed camper (as stated in that OP), not a trailer. When placed in the truck bed the tailgate is removed, the camper has its own 'back wall' extending from the top down to the truck bed floor.

We are really happy with the camper on the F150. You really don't know you've got 1,000 lbs in your bed until you look in the rear view mirror. I pulled it off for the winter for the first time in literally 15 minutes. The build quality of the camper itself is superb - has a propane furnace on thermostat and is rated to 0F. We can carry our two mountain bikes inside the camper, tons of room. I was going to build out a MB Sprinter, but I cancelled the order and bought this combination instead - I feel like I dodged something bigger than a bullet.

Our Yellow Lab loves being in the camper, but at 11 years he doesn't want any damn help to get in, but hasn't figured out how he will get in. I end up picking him up after lengthy negotiation. Ramps and steps haven't worked so far, with bacon bribes.

My average mileage with the Powerboost without the camper for in-town trips is 27 mpg. With it, I'm down to 19-20, so you do notice a difference at the pump.

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