Are tailgate assists necessary on an aluminum tailgate?

[SFB]

Are tailgate assists really necessary on an aluminum tailgate? Really curious on why some people need these.

Edit: I had assumed its aluminum, based on my Ranger being aluminum. Is it steel or aluminum? Funny thing, my Ranger tailgate isn't dampened but my glovebox is!

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[Clarkdonbran]

Yes. The Mav appeals to all age ranges and abilities. It was necessary for me because the tailgate is at toddler head height. Also, I’m lazy.

 

[dlhort1955]

Do I want my tailgate to slam down when it opens or do I prefer that it slowly lowers itself? That is all you have to ask.

 

[Hcopter]

Are tailgate assists really necessary on an aluminum tailgate? Really curious on why some people need these.

No, not on an aluminum tailgate, but on the steel tailgate of the Maverick, it's nice to have.

Kidding aside, it's not really a tailgate assist, it should be called a tailgate damper since all it does is slow the drop of the tailgate. If anything, it makes the tailgate a little heavier to lift since it also adds some resistance on the way up, not as much as on the way down but some.

 

[The-X]

I can handle it pretty easily but I considered it at one point. It would be pretty convenient and isn't really a difficult option to plug in yourself. If my joints get much worse maybe it'll be more attractive. For now, the tailgate isn't that heavy really

 

[ABTremor]

Makes it a lot easier for other family members to lower the tailgate without any drama, although it does nothing to make closing it any easier

 

[fossil]

lightest tailgate I've owned, might need one when I get into my 80s

 

[Poppy42501]

The only reason I installed one is because my 4 year old granddaughter can reach the handle and I'm afraid she's going to get busted in the head when I'm not looking

 

[Mav_RICK]

Yeah I have one on the bench but honestly it may sit there a good long while.

 

[SFB]

No, not on an aluminum tailgate, but on the steel tailgate of the Maverick, it's nice to have.

Kidding aside, it's not really a tailgate assist, it should be called a tailgate damper since all it does is slow the drop of the tailgate. If anything, it makes the tailgate a little heavier to lift since it also adds some resistance on the way up, not as much as on the way down but some.

I agree it's dampening, not assisting. I have not checked for myself, I have assumed the tailgate to be aluminum mainly because Ford is using aluminum on many body parts on their trucks, including my Ranger. I am curious as to why people want a dampened tailgate. Me personally don't want one and don't see the need for one, my preference of course. My wife's Tacoma is dampened and her tailgate is steel. What I don't like about the dampened tailgate is the effort to close it.

 

[SFB]

The only reason I installed one is because my 4 year old granddaughter can reach the handle and I'm afraid she's going to get busted in the head when I'm not looking

Makes sense.

 

[SFB]

Yes. The Mav appeals to all age ranges and abilities. It was necessary for me because the tailgate is at toddler head height. Also, I’m lazy.

There was another with a similar concern about a toddler getting a Maverick stamp on the noggin, this makes sense and at least you're honest...

 

[SFB]

Do I want my tailgate to slam down when it opens or do I prefer that it slowly lowers itself? That is all you have to ask.

Why would you let it slam down? Is this a common problem you have? If it cannot handle it its not much of a truck..

 

[SFB]

I can handle it pretty easily but I considered it at one point. It would be pretty convenient and isn't really a difficult option to plug in yourself. If my joints get much worse maybe it'll be more attractive. For now, the tailgate isn't that heavy really

Curious, have you checked to see if it's steel or Aluminum? 150 and Ranger are aluminum. My Ranger is and its really light.

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