Tailgate Status Indicator

Story Behind the Invention

Inventor Vern Lewis of Ironton, MN has developed a wireless truck tailgate position indicator that would alert the driver when the tailgate is in the lowered, or open, position.

The utility and convenience in hauling items coupled with the availability of luxury interiors and extended cab space have made the pickup truck a popular alternative to other vehicles. However, one particular aspect of a pickup truck operation that is difficult to verify is the position of the tailgate. It is easy to determine if a door is opened or closed on a conventional car; however, the status of a tailgate on a pickup truck is not readily verifiable. As such, many users may drive down the road with their pickup truck tailgate in the down position, thus allowing contained objects to fall out. Such difficulty in tailgate status verification may also lead users to frequently stopping and checking the status of the tailgate. Inventor Lewis has developed a means by which the positional status of a pickup truck tailgate can be readily and easily verified from the drivers seated position.

This clever new invention has a sensor located on the truck bed, which sends a signal to an illumination lamp, located on the dashboard on the interior of the truck, when the tailgate is open. The invention will work on all makes and models of trucks, and can be supplied as an aftermarket kit. The use of the Tailgate Status Indicator provides peace of mind and safety for all pickup truck drivers.