Frozen Tailgate After Snow

[rchrds]

Probably should be a new thread. Anyone one with a Trailhunter, does it have heated glass for the wipers?

USA Trailhunter here- I don't have any elements in the window as shown in the picture above, so I'm going to guess not installed.

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[tnjwinters]

To bad as its a nice feature. I wasn't expecting it though. I pick up my Trailhunter tomorrow afternoon so I'll verify on it.

 

[rchrds]

To bad as its a nice feature. I wasn't expecting it though. I pick up my Trailhunter tomorrow afternoon so I'll verify on it.

I agree. I drive a lot in the mountain west, even though I live in Chattanooga, and heavy now and ice is not out of the picture. Wish we got the option.

 

[Ron]

My Limited has the wiper melt lines.

Great feature but wouldn't it make more sense to have it activated by the Windshield Defogger switch instead of rear window defogger ?

 

[evlfred]

Does the limited come with heated outside mirrors? Can't find any mention of it nor the wiper defroster on the site

 

[TacoFreak]

I tried to look at the windshield in my Pro today, but out in full sun I couldn't see anything. I think it has heated mirrors, but not really sure. Toyota and a lot of other companies have linked the windshield heat to the mirrors and rear window for a long time.

@evlfred I have never found a good source for information about stuff like that either in the manual or on Toyota's website. The best info usually comes from other forum members.

 

[trailhunger]

Can’t speak for all the THs but my TH (USA) has the wiper defroster in the glass. In full sun glare can totally see it but difficult to photograph

 

[tnjwinters]

Great news. There is hope. I'll know for sure in less than 24 hours.

 

[-Strike-]

Ok I did check mine for the heated outside mirrors. What confused me is the mirror itself didn't have the little heated symbol like every other car I've seen, so I assumed not. But on the climate stack it has two mini square icons for the rear defrost, im like oh, is that supposed to be a tiny mirror? Turned it on, a minute later my mirrors were warm to the touch. So I guess the mirrors are heated, (TRD sport premium)

 

[tnjwinters]

Just got home and have verified my Trailhunter does have the wiper deicers.

 

[soupy1234]

So living in Northern Canada is always challenging for weather, it rained all day Saturday and turned cooler Sunday followed by snow Sunday mid afternoon and overnight.
This lead to a frozen tailgate this morning after removing 10cm of the white stuff off my tonneau cover.
I was eventually able to coax it open by gently pushing pulling, there was some ice grabbing between cover and top to tailgate.
Hopefully this won't be an ongoing issue throughout the winter months.

Ever come up with any ideas? (Since window defrosters don't de-ice the tailgate). Maybe there's some de-icing spray on the market that you could use. Or a small propane heat gun?

 

[GPTaco]

Heat in the form of a torch would damage parts for sure.
I'm going to try silicone spray and see what happens.

 

[HoptownBob]

My Limited has the wiper melt lines.

Great feature but wouldn't it make more sense to have it activated by the Windshield Defogger switch instead of rear window defogger ?

I don’t know for sure but I’m guessing the rear window, side mirrors and wiper elements all stay on only for a timed limit. I think I read 5 or 15 mins. somewhere. Your windshield defrost stays on till you turn it off.

 

[soupy1234]

Heat in the form of a torch would damage parts for sure.
I'm going to try silicone spray and see what happens.

Heat gun is a little different than a torch, though you would have to be careful with it. Maybe a cordless hair dryer. Haven't found a propane one (did find a patent for one though).

 

[Dansflhti]

I have a solution. The manufacture should put a heating element in the top edge of the tailgate. And have it come on with the rear window, mirror, wiper defroster. lol...half in jest.

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