Are tailgate assists necessary on an aluminum tailgate?

[Deweyordeweynot]

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!

Yes. My wife nearly got whacked by the tailgate on the first use, and since she does the camping packing thing I prefer to err on the side of caution. Besides, it's one of the more affordable upgrades.

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[Ozarkbeard]

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.

It "assists" in lowering the steel tailgate when I have my hands full of stuff to put in the bed.

With the assist (aka damper) installed, I don't find the effort to close it any more difficult than before. Very little effort involved.

Was it worth the time, effort and expense to add it to the truck? That's up to the truck owner.

 

[SFB]

It "assists" in lowering the steel tailgate when I have my hands full of stuff to put in the bed.

With the assist (aka damper) installed, I don't find the effort to close it any more difficult than before. Very little effort involved.

Was it worth the time, effort and expense to add it to the truck? That's up to the truck owner.

Thanks, totally curious. It is a personal preference of course. In the trucks I have owned since the 70’s, earliest being a 67 F250 Camper Special, I never even thought of dampening the tailgate, those older truck tailgates were heavy too. I find it interesting.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

major slammage for me. I'm too lazy to install and too lazy sometimes to lower the gate slowly...

 

[SLINGSHOT]

Do you like soft close drawer guides and cabinet hinges? What about soft close toilet seats? None of them are necessary but to most it makes the user experience a little bit better.

Don't have, and have NEVER had, any of that. I've made it 80 years so far, somehow managing to get thru each day without a toilet with AI. Don't have a bidet, either. I can manage to wipe my own ass.

 

[Timothyd]

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!

I've never had one and I'm doing fine.

 

[Timothyd]

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

Can't you lock it?

 

[1929]

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!

100% unnecessary. My arms are tailgate assists.

 

[Mervin the Maverick]

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!

It’s certainly not necessary in my case, but I love having it. I can unlatch the tailgate and let it gently open without any sudden action. I am happy I installed one, and it was a low-cost “upgrade”.

 

[kmish203]

Don't have, and have NEVER had, any of that. I've made it 80 years so far, somehow managing to get thru each day without a toilet with AI. Don't have a bidet, either. I can manage to wipe my own ass.

Your second sentence here really tells the whole story. Old man yells at things because they have progressed over time.

Who knew cabinet hinges and toilet seats could make the elderly so angry.

 

[TrailMaster]

No. If you live in frigid climates it'll be slow as molasses in the winter months, too.

 

[CurtisB]

Don't have, and have NEVER had, any of that. I've made it 80 years so far, somehow managing to get thru each day without a toilet with AI. Don't have a bidet, either. I can manage to wipe my own ass.

Slingshot, your posts are priceless..............................!

 

[anblatt]

Not a necessity, but really nice especially for my wife and kids who like to let it slam open. This will eventually break even the best built stuff. Didn't add any noticeable difference to closing either.

 

[SLINGSHOT]

Your second sentence here really tells the whole story. Old man yells at things because they have progressed over time.

Who knew cabinet hinges and toilet seats could make the elderly so angry.

Damn right. I'm so old I do and say whatever I want.

Have a blessed day.

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