I know there are some small differences like badging, spoiler, and 3rd light, but is the basic shape and latching the same across these models? I'm going to try to find a used one.

Had my truck hooked to travel trailer in my driveway last night, working on lights and trailer brakes. My 2.5 year old son was playing in the bed of the truck for a few minutes and decided to lean over the tailgate and open it up. It slammed down on top of the jack post on the trailer tongue, with him on top of it. Scared him to death but he was OK. Tailgate didn't fare so well. It's jacked up really bad. Post hit it right in the middle of the curve just above the handle. I can't believe how bad it's tweaked.

Normally it doesn't even hit this post, but the slope of my driveway, then with my truck in the street, created enough of an angle that it tagged it.

I'm searching craigslist in my area now and there are a couple that might work, but wasn't sure if the 1500 is the same or not. Assumed the 2500 and 3500 were the same except for light.

 

I beleve all are the same except for badging and lights.

 

My son did the same thing at the same age, only there was no tongue jack there to keep the gate from opening all the way, and he tumbled right out of the truck and landed on his head. Scared the crap out of him and me! Since then I installed an EZ Down to slow the action of the gate.

 

Sorry to hear that. My kid did the same thing when my truck was less than 6 months old. The dent was a little higher though, and I just had them bondo it and put bed liner over the top to cover it. Looks pretty natural. Later I added a stainless bed cap protector over the bed liner.

 

Yes , they are the same.