How to Install a Tailgate Extender on a Pickup Truck?

A loose bracket or an unlatched strap turns a handy accessory into a highway hazard. The good news is that most extenders follow the same basic pattern: secure brackets, insert the frame, test the latch. Here’s how to do it properly.

What You Need Before You Start

Read the instructions for your specific model first. Many extenders are vehicle-specific, so the mounting method is not universal.

The two main types:

• Vehicle-specific kits (like Nissan’s Utili-Track version or Ford’s F-150 extender) use existing factory mounting points and need no drilling.
• Universal drill-on models require you to mark and drill holes in your bed or tailgate.

Gather a drill with the correct bit size (often 9/64 in or 1/8 in), a Phillips or Torx driver, a tape measure, and a center punch. For Nissan’s kit, you’ll need a T-20 Torx wrench.

Step-by-Step: Installing a Tailgate Extender

The core process is the same for most extenders: mount brackets, insert the frame, then test it. Adjust each step to match your specific kit’s instructions.

1. Mount the side brackets. Lower the tailgate. For no-drill kits, align the brackets with the factory holes (like the holes behind the taillights Ford uses) and fasten them. For drill-on models, use the included template — never skip it — to mark the holes, center-punch each mark, drill with the recommended bit size, and secure the brackets.

2. Insert the extension tubes. Slide the frame tubes into the bracket assembly. Nissan’s instructions call for at least 77 mm (3 in) of insertion, and CURT’s design uses side gates that slide in similarly. Make sure both sides are inserted evenly.

3. Secure the hardware. Tighten the mounting bolts and set screws evenly — don’t cinch one side fully before touching the other.

Common mistake: tightening one side completely before the other, which twists the frame out of alignment.

4. Attach the end gate (if your model has one). For CURT extenders, install the end gate last. To remove, reverse it: pull the tailgate handle, then lift the side gates vertically and pull rearward.

5. Test the latch and straps — the step nobody skips twice. With the extender deployed outward, secure the buckles and straps on the top clips (Ford’s manual is specific about this). Push the buckle into the tailgate latch and tighten the straps. Then fold the extender up and down a few times. When it’s fully rearward, it should latch positively and stay put. If it swings, the straps or latch aren’t engaged.

No-Drill vs. Drill-On: Which Install Is Right for Your Truck?

The right method depends entirely on your truck’s bed. No-drill kits are cleaner and faster, but they only fit the specific vehicles they’re made for. Drill-on universals fit more trucks but involve permanent holes.

Before buying, check your truck’s bed. If it has Utili-Track channels or factory mounting points, a vehicle-specific kit is the better install. If not, a universal extender is your option.

If you’re still deciding which extender fits your bed, the top-rated tailgate extenders reviewed in one place compare the leading no-drill and drill-on models side by side.

Keeping Your Extender Safe on the Road

A properly installed extender stays locked exactly where you put it. An improperly installed one can swing loose at highway speed — a dangerous distraction and a risk to other drivers.

After installation, the extender must be positively latched and strapped in its deployed position. Loose hardware, tubes that aren’t fully seated, or missed strap engagement can create instability while driving, according to the installation manuals. Check the straps and latch every time you use it, not just after install.