Best way to straighten galavanised trailer tailgate pin keeper plate?

[Beanwood]

I was in a hurry, it was dark, I'm sure I latched it... (And all the other excuses for being a numpty), anyway, I somehow only latched one side of my trailer tailgate. Some miles later, it came off the support hinge on the unlatched side, and caused the damage you can see to the latched side.

This is 4-5mm thick steel, and its galvanised, as are the parts it's attached to.

I don't own a massive press, or an anvil.

Anyone know the best way to straighten it please?

 

[123hotchef]

heat it up with a blow torch then bend it back with some grips

 

[Beanwood]

heat it up with a blow torch then bend it back with some grips

That was my first thought - but won't that damage the galv?

 

[jordhandson]

I would have a heavy sledge or lump hammer behind and give it a couple of hits with a smaller hammer it wont snap

 

[octo0072000]

Whatever you do the galv is will be damaged
lay tailgate on the floor support bent bit then whack it with a big hammer or if you can put the bent bit in a vice if you have one and just push the tailgate round until straight

 

[123hotchef]

cold galv spray after

 

[Paul.]

Decent hammer and a steel block will move that easy, 2 minute job, no need for heat.

 

[bricol]

Pair of stillsons, up to the bend, lean backwards on handle until straight if you want controlled re-bending.

Whack it with a lump hammer if you want a more vigorous correction.

 

[Migmac]

Big hammer, they straighten out very easily

 

[fizzy]

I would use a vice if you have one handy.
Used to to straighten the edges of our roller shutter door. Also used the protruding jaws to force apart the channel section a bit.
Hefty and unwieldy though!

 

[addjunkie]

Pry bat through the hole will bend that.

 

[wristpin]

I would have a heavy sledge or lump hammer behind and give it a couple of hits with a smaller hammer it wont snap

any damage to the galv will already have been done.

 

[Cobbler]

Same as Fizzy said, if the tail board comes off clamp the end in the vice & “swing“ the tail board round to straighten.

 

[brightspark]

just lower the tailgate down horizontal and chock a piece of 3 x2 under and a couple of bats with a hammer will. do it nicely

 

[gordon stephenson]

As stated, A heavy flat oleic of metal behind and a couple of good firm smacks with a lump hammer, Job done, Dont use too small of a hammer, it will just end up bouncing.Heating not need,

 

[grim_d]

Big adjustable spanner, put on, bend back.

Or

Hammer behind, second hammer, hit.

No need to complicate matters.

 

[Bullet2012]

Sorry but that trailer is completely knackered now, deliver it to me for disposal

 

[voipio]

Like others have suggested, a lump of metal, ideally square or flat, behind the metalwork, and a hammer to straighten. Easier still might be to use a large-ish adjustable spanner and use it to ease each side of the hole towards straight, or better still, two large adjustable spanners, and straighten in one go.

 

[roofman]

That was my first thought - but won't that damage the galv?

Be 60 years before it rusts that bad it falls off...2 lump hammers either side and start hitting, will be straight before the kettles boiled man.

 

[Beanwood]

All sorted now thanks.
I went for a 15lb sledgehammer as anvil, 5lb club hammer for the main adjustment, and finished off the final tweaks with my 15” King Dick