Thank you, Maverick. We don't use the truck much, only when we need to tow the race car, or haul something heavy, or dirty, or both. It only has about 80K miles on the clock. Additionally, I'm careful about closing the tailgate. I'll pull the handle, and push the gate closed, then release the handle. That's why I imagine they've lasted so long. It stays in our shop when not in use, so is protected from the weather and sun.