Abstract: An apparatus for remotely operating a heavy duty tailgate on a heavy-duty dump truck body incorporates a power-assisted mechanism to remotely unlatch the tailgate for unloading of the truck body contents and to remotely latch the tailgate during transit. Another power-assisted mechanism remotely positions the tailgate so that it either pivots about either a horizontal axis or rotates about a vertical axis as desired for unloading of the contents of the truck body. The controls for the power-assisted mechanisms are situated in the cab of the truck so that the driver has full control of the tailgate positioning and dump of the load from within the cab of the dump truck.