{"id":188431,"date":"2026-05-07T07:52:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T14:52:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/?p=188431"},"modified":"2026-07-17T19:38:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T02:38:11","slug":"what-is-a-tailgate-cable-for-function-failure-signs-and-replacement-quickref","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/what-is-a-tailgate-cable-for-function-failure-signs-and-replacement-quickref\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Tailgate Cable For? Function, Failure Signs, and Replacement"},"content":{"rendered":"\nReading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

A tailgate cable<\/a> supports the weight of your truck’s tailgate<\/a> when it’s lowered, holding the panel level so it doesn’t drop past horizontal or strain the hinges<\/a>. Most trucks use two of them, one on each side, working as a matched pair to share the load every time you open the bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n