in practice the transverse beam 24 will be pre assembled to include the latches 40 42 the rods 44 46 the side plates 32 44 and the reinforcement plate 38 to form a dressed assembly 62 as shown in fig2 the dressed assembly 62 may be easily inserted within the aperture 22 to complete the tailgate assembly 10 fig4 and 5 illustrate cross sectional views of the tailgate assembly 10 after the dressed assembly 62 is completely inserted within the tailgate 12 the reinforcement plate 38 is illustrated in fig4 and flange portions 64 are illustrated in fig5 the reinforcement plate 38 and the flange portions 64 contact and support the inner wall 14 the reinforcement plate 38 and the flange portions 64 act as a support surface for supporting weight placed on the tailgate a force or load placed on inner wall 14 is directly transferred as a force through the plate 38 and flange 64 to the transverse beam 24 the transverse beam 24 includes a cut out mid portion 26 illustrated in fig3 is a detailed perspective view partially broken away of the tailgate assembly 10 illustrating the mid portion 26 handle 60 and lever assembly 36 the handle 60 is inserted through an aperture in the outer wall 16 the mid portion 26 receives the handle 60 as shown in fig3 and 4 the handle 60 includes arms 66 that engage the lever assembly 36 operating the handle 60 causes.