How to make the tailgate relativively water/dust tight on multi-use trailer?

[climber8483]

Since one of the PO's has hacked up the tailgate on my T3 I figured I would look at making it more dust/water tight. I am going to be keeping this as a multi-use trailer so the seals have to be protected. The sides seem to be an easier thing, its the bottom seal that I am more worried about. I am planning on keeping this as a bottom hinged tailgate so I can use it as a cooking platform.

Any suggestions? Pics are preferred.

Thanks,
Brittain

 

[ntsqd]

I'll take a stab at a suggestion: use a large piano hinge across the full width of the tailgate.

 

[BMThiker]

Drop the hinge location to a point below the tub's deck. Then you can affix a continuous seal down one side, across the bottom and then up the other side. The tailgate door would have to be larger than the opening, but then it would protect the seal too.

 

[climber8483]

I was thinking something similar to that. I just see that bottom seal getting ripped or filled with crap when unloading debris and other stuff. I may have figured out an idea, though. I'll attempt to make a crude drawing in paint and then post it.

 

[ntsqd]

Downside to a lower hinge point is that when opened level the tail gate will be at the hinge height. Only way to combat this is to move the hinge out as far as it is moved down, but that then causes a gap between the gate and the bed.

It's going to be all about which compromise works best for you.

 

[hey you]

I think to accomplish your objective would be to side hinge the tailgate and then bottom hinge the cooking platform on the tail gate.