Abstract: Two arms of an articulated linkage are pivotally connected together. The distal end of one arm is connected at a pivot point to the side of the vehicle body, and the distal end of the other arm is connected to a tailgate pivot screw located on a linkage plate attached to the tailgate. When the arms are extended, the tailgate is held in a horizontal open position. As the tailgate is raised to the closed position, the connecting pivot point of the arms is moved downward, and a projecting guide tab on the linkage plate gathers the articulated linkage. A lock lever pivoted on the side of the vehicle has a slot to snap over the tailgate pivot screw of the tailgate, and is locked with a wing nut on the screw.