Trailgater Install

[gaaangs]

So maybe I am missing a chromosome or something, but this install has killed me.

Every time I try to ratchet in the screws to the "blind nuts" the blind nuts completely fold and collapse on me and end up going into the hole on the Bronco tailgate. See the pic below.

Does anyone have any tips or tricks or any type of hardware I can buy to get this thing to install? I am pretty frustrated and am all out of blind nuts at the moment from trying to get this to work.

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[kimmnen]

So maybe I am missing a chromosome or something, but this install has killed me.

Every time I try to ratchet in the screws to the "blind nuts" the blind nuts completely fold and collapse on me and end up going into the hole on the Bronco tailgate. See the pic below.

Does anyone have any tips or tricks or any type of hardware I can buy to get this thing to install? I am pretty frustrated and am all out of blind nuts at the moment from trying to get this to work.

Mine looked the same but I did not have issues with them going into the slot. If I remember correctly, I did not keep pushing on the stud once it was started as it was going into the blind nut.

 

[gaaangs]

Mine looked the same but I did not have issues with them going into the slot. If I remember correctly, I did not keep pushing on the stud once it was started as it was going into the blind nut.

I feel like they are collapsing into the hole whether I push them or not. Any idea if these nuts are custom hardware or if I can go buy some more at home depot? Im not even sure to look up what they are called. I googled blind nut but dont see any that look similar.

 

[604Bronco]

Might be worth connecting with the vendor as well - they likely have a few troubleshooting suggestions and/or will be able to send you some replacements (probably not for free, but you never know).

 

[gaaangs]

Might be worth connecting with the vendor as well - they likely have a few troubleshooting suggestions and/or will be able to send you some replacements (probably not for free, but you never know).

Yeah I did that the other day and haven't heard back. Ill give it some more time though.

 

[ryn0s3r1]

Once putting the “blind nut” in the appropriate opening, I widened the slot using a standard screw driver. It seemed to seat it more securely into the tailgate. It also created more space to screw the bolt in place. Hope this helps.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

Once putting the “blind nut” in the appropriate opening, I widened the slot using a standard screw driver. It seemed to seat it more securely into the tailgate. It also created more space to screw the bolt in place. Hope this helps.

IIRC, that's actually in the instructions. You're supposed to spread them with a screwdriver before threading the bolt into them?

 

[aea6574]

Anyone know how to get a blind nut out of the opening? My black one on the bottom fell in.

Any help would be appreciated. Have also left a voicemail with the manufacturer

Best regards, tony

 

[Kbass101]

Anyone know how to get a blind nut out of the opening? My black one on the bottom fell in.

Any help would be appreciated. Have also left a voicemail with the manufacturer

Best regards, tony

any luck finding replacements?
My Bronco got bought back from Ford (lemon); I took the table off and want to put on my new Bronco. I have no idea where to find these blind nuts/ screw anchors.

 

[gaaangs]

any luck finding replacements?
My Bronco got bought back from Ford (lemon); I took the table off and want to put on my new Bronco. I have no idea where to find these blind nuts/ screw anchors.

You can't just buy them. They are custom fabricated for the table. Email the guy and explain and he'll send you some more.

 

[Kbass101]

I emailed two weeks ago and called yesterday. I’ll keep trying.

 

[aermtr]

@Kbass101 did you find the blind nuts? I have the same dilemma. After googling, I see in a Jeep forum someone is 3D printing them (with plans) but no idea if the prescribed blind nuts for Jeep are the same size as the blind nuts for the Bronco. My emails to Doug at Outback Adventures don’t get answered.

 

[Docindahouze]

I moved my trailgater from one bronco to another a couple years ago. I emailed to see if he could send me new hardware for the second install and never got back to me. Had to call a couple of times before someone finally answered and he was nice and sent me new hardware for the install. Definitely some communication issues there but eventually they did come through for me. I could be wrong but I sense it’s a one man operation with “Trailgater”. Think he just designed and builds these himself or with a very small crew. Maybe just a side hustle for them making these products.

 

[CalvinT]

I met the guy a few years ago at an Overland Expo. He's a real nice guy, but you're right. I think it's just him.

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