Mountain Hatch first impressions...

[vandersnoot]

So I received my Mountain Hatch tailgate cover and put it on tonight. Here are some preliminary thoughts:

1. I wish I had paid more attention to the photos before I purchased it. I didn't realize how much border was left from the original tailgate.
2. The bolts don't sit flush (albeit close), so I am debating removing the included washers or just sending it with the impact to see if I can get it there.
3. Since the factory screw holes are in the front 1/3, there is a small gap at the rear.....I'm well aware this is a bit picky.
3. The biggest concern I have is that due to the weight, the tailgate will not pop open anymore. When you hit the tailgate release, the tailgate will open an inch or so and hang there. Then, the "soft close" feature is gone because it slams down now.

I'll probably end up keeping it, just because I don't want to pay shipping back to TX and a 10% restock fee. Who knows...I may offer it up here this summer if someone wants to pay for shipping. Stay tuned I guess.

Anyone else have differing thoughts?

 

[boogielander]

interesting find.
my friend has it on his taco and it is perfect. i wonder why they can't make it to sit flush.

I ordered mine over Black Friday, when did you order yours?

 

[vandersnoot]

I ordered mine a few months ago (10/10/22). After 2 months I emailed them twice, after the first email went unanswered. It looks like the cover for the Tacoma is a replacement piece. The Ram model sits on top of the existing tailgate cover.

 

[boogielander]

I ordered mine a few months ago (10/10/22). After 2 months I emailed them twice, after the first email went unanswered. It looks like the cover for the Tacoma is a replacement piece. The Ram model sits on top of the existing tailgate cover.

well i guess they're still making mine then...

 

[JF19Longhorn]

So, I'm trying to figure out what it does for $270 + Shipping. Is it's just a piece of plastic that makes your tailgate flatter?

 

[Darksteel165]

So, I'm trying to figure out what it does for $270 + Shipping. Is it's just a piece of plastic that makes your tailgate flatter?

Looks like it.
I don't really understand

 

[41magmag41]

Be nice to have a picture

 

[Darksteel165]

Be nice to have a picture

It would be, but google does help.

 

[Rick3478]

I found their website a bit confusing. They show two different styles, unclear which one goes with what, and their vehicle model listings are oddly arranged. I requested clarification and got no answer.

 

[Idahoktm]

There are already two spots on the tailgate to "set your hot cocoa down". I've never needed a spot to chop onions on my tailgate, but it would be a lot cheaper to buy a $5 cutting board if I ever do. God help you if you step onto that tailgate protector when it's wet. They did add a little note at the bottom of the instructions, but nobody will remember that until they take a dive off the tailgate. Another useless product that fixes a problem that doesn't exist.

 

[PurpleRT]

Not really useless, I can see it being beneficial to the overlander/ camper guys a flat area to prep food etc or maybe a flat top to set a grill on or something. Maybe even a flat area to work on small parts etc and makes for easier clean up. Maybnot be for everyone but its far from useless.


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[Darksteel165]

Not really useless, I can see it being beneficial to the overlander/ camper guys a flat area to prep food etc or maybe a flat top to set a grill on or something. Maybe even a flat area to work on small parts etc and makes for easier clean up. Maybnot be for everyone but its far from useless.


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Who the f**k wants to put food that you are going to eat on your dirty a$$ tailgate?
Buy a cutting board and put it in your Ramboxes or bins.

My tailgate is already kind of flat, not sure who this could be for.

May as well just chop onions with your hard tonneau cover

But hey, if people buy it then...

 

[PurpleRT]

Its called a container, tray etc. I get it seems pointless to you.. but don’t be a d**k about it lol.


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[Darksteel165]

Its called a container, tray etc. I get it seems pointless to you.. but don’t be a d**k about it lol.


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I'm not trying to, but what company gets off selling a piece of plastic for $300?
I must just be missing the point

 

[PurpleRT]

Its not like they forcing you to buy it lol. Anybody that’s even in the market for something like this will say yeah screw it time is money and click buy or just come up with their own solution.


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[vandersnoot]

I really just wanted a flat tailgate for the times I kneel to climb in the back and for camping. Those grooves (you know what I mean) crush my knees. Might have had a bourbon or two when I added it to the cart….

 

[Rick3478]

I'm not trying to, but what company gets off selling a piece of plastic for $300?
I must just be missing the point

So, it's a *big* piece of plastic, and has mounting holes pre-drilled, and some cup holders and company logo milled into the surface, and probably comes with mounting hardware.

Looks like someone with a large bed CNC mill/drill trying to dream up products it can make to provide some income. Maybe that's the point, and if so I respect it. That's how the free market works, expect it to rise/sink to whatever level of success/failure it deserves.

 

[boogielander]

I'm not trying to, but what company gets off selling a piece of plastic for $300?
I must just be missing the point

brother you're not an overlander.
this is for overlanders and quite a lot of overlanders use this type of things

but jokes aside i ordered one because:
1. it creates a flat surface and i do work off my tailgate a lot, whether it's projects or camping
2. i climb in and out of the bed quite often too. Having to set your knees on the tailgate with those grooves is quite painful, especially when my knees are both kinda busted.

 

[Idahoktm]

brother you're not an overlander.
this is for overlanders and quite a lot of overlanders use this type of things

but jokes aside i ordered one because:
1. it creates a flat surface and i do work off my tailgate a lot, whether it's projects or camping
2. i climb in and out of the bed quite often too. Having to set your knees on the tailgate with those grooves is quite painful, especially when my knees are both kinda busted.

There's absolutely no good excuse for climbing onto the tailgate with your knees.

 

[Darksteel165]

There's absolutely no good excuse for climbing onto the tailgate with your knees.

View attachment 148875

I have MFT, so if I drop my tailgate I don't have a step I can land on.
There a reason