Open tonneau cover without opening the tailgate?

Hello everyone I recently bought a 2017 Tacoma which came with the trifold factory tonneau cover on it. The truck had recently had the tailgate replaced and therefore came with a new lock cylinder and key. Well the dealership lost the key and with the tailgate closed and locked along with the cover closed they are unable to get to the inside of the tailgate and are now telling me they will have to break the cover off to get to it. I have already been to a locksmith and was told due to it being a laser keyed lock they cannot do it. Has anyone had this problem before or have any ideas on how to open the cover with the tailgate closed?

 

Coat hanger, the release handle is on the left side right before the first panel ends. Just sneak it in between the weather seal and bed rail. Why does your new truck allready have a new tailgate?

 

Could probably rig something up to slide under the cover and pull on the release handle. Coat hanger or something

 

That's what I was thinking of trying to do. Bought it used when dealership bought it back from the first owner the entire tailgate had been stolen off the truck so they had to order a new one to replace it then when I bought it they realized they had no idea where the key was.

 

Get a wooden or plastic back scratcher and squeeze it between the cover and tailgate to catch the cover's release handle.

 

these handles are a bit different from the typical cable, so might not be as easy but worth a try.

I'm not just curious why he'd need a new tailgate but even more so, will the dealer be paying to replace the cover after they break into it? If not I'd be fuming and on the phone with corporate

 

Have the dealership figure it out.

Nobody here should be giving tips on how to break into the bed, regardless if it's legit or not

Dude has two freaking posts and you're giving advice.

Please don't post up ideas on how to break into the bed!

 

Not sure the coat hanger thing will work either, but worth a shot I guess.

That being said, if the dealership needs to break the cover etc. as long as they replace it at no charge then I would just have them figure it out.

 

Dealership has agreed to replace it at no charge I would just rather not go through that entire hassle if I can get it open myself and risk the dealership breaking something else in the process

 

you're too kind to them bro.
I'd be all over having them take the risk as long as I have it in writing that they will be replacing anything they damage haha.


But seriously how did the lose the key? Its in the fob is it not? Or was that only for the 17s? Cause the key in my fob opens the tailgate.

EDIT. just saw you do have a 17, fuck I'd be asking what they'll be doing about keying the tailgate and door together again then.

 

Yup, same reason I'm not responding with a "how-to ". Thank you for seeing this. I've gotten into mine just for testing. There is a trick to keep the handle tight where a coat hanger won't pull it.

 

I'd make the dealer replace that lock on the tailgate to match your fob key. Let it be the dealers problem.

 

My apologies for only having two posts I can assure you I'm not trying to break into peoples trucks i shouldnt even be having to break into mine but yet here I am. I barely bought this truck a week ago and thought the dealership would have had this taken care of already but they have not. I have the fob with the key in it but since the entire tailgate of the truck was replaced my keys won't work and the dealership has no idea where the key is that came with the new tailgate

 

either way. that key should have been keyed to match the other.

All they need is the cut number and they can have the lock in the tailgate matched to the door.
They're just being lazy, cheap ass holes.

Call corporate and complain, contact local news. smear the dealer as being unprofessional and not doing jobs properly.
Because seriously this is hack job shit and is not acceptable on a 2017 truck.

 

Incompetent dealer techs too lazy to swap out your original handle/ latch assembly before install?

 

just them trying to make a quick switch and hope next customer doesn't realize they're getting screwed.

 

I thought the latch handle assembly was separately purchased or they could have reused the original if it wasn't stolen.
Looking at the parts diagram, everything is separately sold.

 

"Bought it used when dealership bought it back from the first owner the entire tailgate had been stolen off the truck so they had to order a new one to replace it"

 

Ah, sorry OP. Thanks KenLyns.