Abstract: A tailgate is hingedly mounted for movement about a vertical axis rearwardly and outwardly offset from a vertical post adjacent the rear corner of the load carrying bed of a vehicle. The tailgate is mounted upon the post by a hinge assembly which accommodates vertical movement of the gate relative to the vehicle bed along the hinge axis to enable vertical stakes projecting downwardly from the tailgate to be inserted into and removed from upwardly opening apertures in the vehicle bed to accommodate hinging movement of the gate to and from a positively maintained closed position.