Abstract: A hardware health evaluation module is associated with a hardware module or device and employs a linked list of error records to continually evaluate the state of the hardware module to determine whether or not it is currently operating with or without errors. In the event that the health evaluation module determines that the hardware module is not operating in an error free manner, it detects and stores, for a specified period of time, an indication of the error and associates this detected error or errors with one or more of the error records. The error records are designed to provide assistance in diagnosing the cause of a hardware error.

Abstract: An extendible tailgate assembly for a load carrying vehicle has a tailgate pivotally mounted on the main frame of the vehicle and slidably supporting an extendible member arranged for reciprocating movement relative to the tailgate and increasing and decreasing the extent of the tailgate assembly. The extendible member is guided relative to the tailgate by a linkage which assures parallel movement of the extendible member relative to the tailgate.