Anybody have this problem? Quick fix or new parts?

 

I suppose short of a crystal ball, I'd have to ask...
Is the latch dragging from lack of lubrication or is it a misalignment issue?
Did this just start one day or has it been getting worse and worse as time goes on?
Did you hit anything with it down?
Did you haul any gravel in the bed and have some of it get between the tailgate and bed and then slam the tailgate causing the lower bracket mounts to get tweaked?
Just a few things to think about.

 

Gate too narrow? You've hauled too much firewood and stretched your bedsides out.
Gate won't close far enough for the latches to engage (works just like a door latch in your house, and pretty much looks just like it also): Check the lower pivots to be sure they are not worn out, and/or clear any debris that might be wedging the gate out.
Latches dragging the mechanism and just won't extend fully? Worn or gunked up. Spray em with some penetrating oil.
Still no? Stuff inside the gate may be bent. If the rods that go from the latches to the handle are bent, they are now shorter due to being bent and won't let the latches extend far enough to latch.
OR??? It's too cold for things to work right?

 

Thanks for the replies.

It hasn't been hit or adjusted in any way, I am leaning towards the cold weather and gunked up fasteners....

My truck is used for work but nothing heavy anymore that would damage the bed or bedsides, it has had the passenger side re skinned after a minor accident before I owned it but a body man friend of mine says it was replaced correctly and in alignment.

I will pull the latches this weekend, clean and lube them and check the pivots.

Thanks for the help!

 

I had that problem after leaving the gate standing up (off truck) for a week in the rain. Just had to pull the little levers back down to get it to latch in a pinch, they're on the "bed" side of the tail gate right next to the latches, might not be able to see them with a bedliner cover. I think I poked a needle spray nozzle of pb blaster then lithium grease in the little opening there, instead of tearing the gate apart.