In-service/out-of-service rotatable tailgate assembly

This invention generally relates to heavy-duty off-road trucks and, more particularly, to a tailgate assembly for these trucks. An improved tailgate assembly for a truck body is provided. The tailgate assembly including a gate portion that is pivotally supported between a pair of opposing side beams for movement relative to the side beams between an operative and an inoperative position. Each of the side beams is pivotally attached to a respective side wall of the dump body such that the side beams and gate are movable relative to the truck body between an in-service, closed position wherein the gate portion encloses a rear end of the dump body and an out-of-service position wherein the gate portion is positioned adjacent a forward end of the dump body. The assembly also including a pivoting assembly for moving the gate portion between the operative and inoperative positions. The pivoting assembly is actuated as the side beams carry the gate portion to the out-of-service position and operable to pivot the gate portion relative to the side arms toward the forward end of the dump body from the operative to the inoperative position.