Trail Tailor tailgate storage lid install

[DJCloz]

I have been eying one of these trailer tailor tailgate storage lids for a while and I
Haven’t really seen anyone with one , so
I ordered it and figured I should do a write up. I have spent some dough over the years with @TRAIL TAILOR on things like diff drops, extended sway bar links, sliders, And everything always has really great quality and customer service, so figured why not?


I opted for the bare aluminum version so I could paint it myself. 1st hit it with some spray can Rust-oleum self etching primer. 2 coats on each side

 

[DJCloz]

Since I have the Tan / ivory interior color, I thought some tan colored bed liner would be a good choice. I ordered some Rustoleum. Truck bed liner in tan from amazon. $9 for 1 can. Once I did one coat one side. It was evident to me that maybe the lid surfaces that touch each other shouldn’t have this rough bedliner surface on them? So I made a trip to Home Depot

 

[DJCloz]

At Home Depot i found some Satin tan Rustoleum for the other side. I noticed the color was not the sam, but meh. It was close. I hit both side with 2 coats of their designated color / spray and let dry for install a couple days later.

 

[DJCloz]

Now it was time to cut away! The instructions are simple, but has a few photos. Not much more to know. I grabbed a new saw saw blade, marked out the cut lines with blue tape and went at it. It was relatively easy.

 

[DJCloz]

Then installed some sound deadening material I bought on amazon. It was $20 for 10 SF. That was really just a peal and stick application. Lastly I Installed the hardware. It was relatively easy. All the mounting holes of the lid line up to the existing mounting holes of the tailgate. I screwed in the door and mounted the locking latches. Everything works really well. I’m happy with it! Now I need to decide what to put in there!

 

[Mojay101]

That looks fantastic! Will the tailgate still support weight - sitting, standing etc? Would love to have the storage but don’t want to sacrifice the utility of a tailgate personally.

 

[saucebox]

That looks fantastic! Will the tailgate still support weight - sitting, standing etc? Would love to have the storage but don’t want to sacrifice the utility of a tailgate personally.

Stronger than stock. You're cutting out body metal and replacing it with something quite a bit thicker.

Now I need to decide what to put in there!

Garbage bags for unexpected messes, ziplocs for miscellaneous storage, all your tie down straps, trailer wiring adapter, little bit of paracord, roll of duct tape. All the weird useful crap that's nice to have in a spot where it's not banging around the passenger compartment.

 

[DJCloz]

@Mojay101 it feels pretty strong. Definitely good enough for sitting on and standing. I weigh about 240 lbs and It holds me well. I wouldn’t be jumping up and down on it, but I wouldn’t do that on my stock tailgate either.

@saucebox

My buddy recommended I put some foam insert with a couple hand guns on one side. I think it would look amazing, But I have no reason to be rolling around with all That heat. If I was a cop, I totally would do that! Lol Those are some good ideas, I will probably fill
It up this weekend and update with some pictures.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Very nice write up. I have been eyeing one for a while but not sure how much can actually fit in that tailgate. I carry a 30ft snatch strap, a tow strap, some shackles, a tree saver and other recovery gear and it would be nice to have a permanent place for all those.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

@Mojay101 it feels pretty strong. Definitely good enough for sitting on and standing. I weigh about 240 lbs and It holds me well. I wouldn’t be jumping up and down on it, but I wouldn’t do that on my stock tailgate either.

@saucebox

My buddy recommended I put some foam insert with a couple hand guns on one side. I think it would look amazing, But I have no reason to be rolling around with all That heat. If I was a cop, I totally would do that! Lol Those are some good ideas, I will probably fill
It up this weekend and update with some pictures.

If they are in the tailgate, how will you use them if you need them?! The event that you need to protect yourself, you won't be able to ask them to hold on while you hop out, run around, and pop the hatch.

 

[DJCloz]

If they are in the tailgate, how will you use them if you need them?! The event that you need to protect yourself, you won't be able to ask them to hold on while you hop out, run around, and pop the hatch.

here in Cali we do not have open carry laws, so it would just be like a plan B type deal. But again, I totally wouldn't.

 

[DJCloz]

Very nice write up. I have been eyeing one for a while but not sure how much can actually fit in that tailgate. I carry a 30ft snatch strap, a tow strap, some shackles, a tree saver and other recovery gear and it would be nice to have a permanent place for all those.

I definitely think that would all fit. I have all those same items and will probably do that for my wheeling trips.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

This is a single door lid. I'll leave this here for the drool factor......

J

 

[TheForger]

This is a single door lid. I'll leave this here for the drool factor......

J

View attachment 2065696

Jesus Christ that’s gorgeous....my question is who the hell managed to get a suppressor in CA??

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Jesus Christ that’s gorgeous....my question is who the hell managed to get a suppressor in CA??

I'll never tell!

J