On the road need help with tailgate handle

I'm on the road today moving from El Paso to LA, and hoping someone is on here!

I have a 2009 tundra SRX. The tailgate handle broke on the right side. I have a Gator ETX soft trifold tonneau cover, locked in place.

What's my best option to get the latch open without destroying th cover?

 

Can you use wire to release the tonneau cover?

 

If the cover doesn't cover the top of the tailgate, you can remove the plastic piece on the top and use a long screwdriver or rod to get to the linkage.

 

Welcome to the forum..
Someone stop her from moving to LA...

 

Maybe she's referring to Louisiana

 

I don't know which LA is worse, they both suck

If you can jiggle the handle just right (push in and pull up) to get it to go that's your best bet and has worked for me. Alternatively you could maybe smash the handle more as a last resort to try and get access from the outside to the linkages, but it'd be difficult.

 

Hahaha! Love all your answers! It's actually my daughter moving but I live in an equally suckky place, el paso! I miss my home town in Virginia. We tried the handle, no luck. But I was able to wedge and raise the back middle of the cover and with a thin board and knock out the clamps on either side. Took me a good 30 minutes. Thanks for all your suggestions!

 

That's clever! It does cover it fully.

 

I broke mine on my 2010 about a week ago (second time in the last two years), so I ordered a metal one this time. Factory one is cheap plastic!
Meantime I can easily use a flathead screwdriver to open it. If you can see in there it's super easy.
I also have a tonneau cover and it's no problem. If you want a video let me know.