This bugs me.

I have tried adjusting the catch and latch. The other side closes flush. Not sure what to do from here. Suggestions? TIA

 

Is that tonneau cover rail pushing on it? Had a similar issue when I installed my retractable cover, had to move the rails cabward a bit.

 

No it doesn't touch. The other side barely touches.

 

Hmm, dunno then. Does it rattle when you drive or is it tight, just misaligned?

 

It doesn't rattle. It's not even that far out. If I push in it goes flush but doesn't stay. Maybe some chub sat on the gate on that side....lol

 

Buddy, if you have few enough worries in life to be bothered by that, thank whatever god you pray to.

 

lol

 

My 2014 looks like that if I pussyfoot the tailgate closed.
If I slam it closed, its all flush..

 

I slam it too. Still hangs out. It is a first world problems kind of deal though. Reminds me of Clark Griswold in Christmas Vacation fixing the newel post.....

 

Maybe your latch has gone limp *cough*.

 

It would bother me as well..
You are not alone....

 

Oh no you dint! *wags chicken neck*

 

I'm with you OP, Mine is the same way,bugs the shit outa me!



;I'm talking about the tailgate, not the chicken neck

 

Well, assuming no 400 lb Karen jumped on your tailgate, and you've adjusted the catch, I'd maybe pull the latch out, see if any of the internals are worn. Nm, looks like a riveted construction. Maybe find a bolt same diameter as catch and stuff it in the latch, see if it holds in firmly.

 

Good idea to check the latch function....

 

If it bothers you, try a body shop. Yes, you might have to pay a bit. But at least stop in, show them and ask if they can fix it. They may even help you with a little "DIY" advice.

 

Peace be with you... Can I get a Amen?

 

That would be my plan...... You could remove both striker plates then just push the tailgate against the rubber stops mounted to the bed. If the tailgate is flush with the bed side to side, then the issue is an adjustment with either the striker plates or latch (which have the least amt of adjustment). if it's not flush, then the tailgate has a "twist" or "warp". See above post.

 

Can any fasteners be shimmed to shift it over? I mean maybe you could add a few washers.

 

Have you tried slamming it shut from the side that sticks out and not from the middle. That's what mine does sometimes too.

 

Have you popped the tailgate off and looked at the hinge point on that side? Had a similar issue with a work truck years back, and it was the hinge bushing that had started to collapse and was affecting alignment.

 

If the other side closes flush, then the tailgate itself must be warped. Now this might sound a little hairy, but I've done it before on a passenger door (not on my Tundra, though). Take a 2x4 wrapped in a towel and wedge it between the left fender and the tailgate and push on the right side to try and realign the tailgate. Try to remove the warp. LIke I said, it's worked on car doors. Don't know if you want to do that or not, but I'd try it if it were mine. Be sorta gentle to start.

 

I have the same problem also. I tried slamming it but it’s still the same.

 

If you can’t adjust the strikers any further, and the lock mechanism is in good working order without excessive wear on the clasp, you could try a little more rudimentary of an approach. Maybe try smacking the striker with a dead blow. It might just be bent out a little from something hitting the tailgate from the inside. Maybe even a large box end wrench to just tweak it.

 

check the latch on the right side.

 

What everyone else said. Adjust the striker on that side. Pull it in further and it out to get you squared away.

 

Mine does that on the right side because my retractable cover is adjusted about a 1/16" farther than it should and so it causes that side to not fully engage unless I close it hard. Then it sits flush.
I just need to adjust my cover on that side a little... maybe I'll go do that this afternoon.

 

Follow up: I checked and did all that was suggested. Did find that my latches were a bit slow so I cleaned and lubed them. No change. Time to break out the 2x4. I opened the tailgate and placed a block between the gate and the catch, sidled my way to the passenger side and gave the top of the gate a shove. Closed and checked. It was closer. Thrice more and creeped up on just right. It's so close to flush now that I didn't want to go too far. Now it doesn't beg for my attention when I close the gate or walk around it. Too dark for a pic. will try to post one tomorrow.

 

Good news..
At least you can take comfort in knowing, with all these responses, you are not the only one that would be bothered by such a small detail.
The average Joe Blow 'ham and egger'* would never notice it, but we/you/I would notice it EVERY TIME you walked up to the truck...

Glad to see you are making progress and that it may help others in the future...