Best Tailgate assist on Amazon

[gp1200x]

I have the DEEZEE and have had no issues with 12K on it. They are all probably just about the same in the 20-30 price range. Tie downs are not an issue for me. I have them all over the bed in every hole..more than 22. Without the DEEZEE the tailgate drops too hard and fast. The only issue is closing the tailgate takes a little more effort now and slightly longer. Make sure you tighten those bolts REALLY TIGHT or it will loosen up. I ended up replacing the torx since I starting stripping the head out since it loosened up on me twice...my fault for not cranking down on it in the first place.

Sponsored

 

[PRH]

I have the DEEZEE and have had no issues with 12K on it. They are all probably just about the same in the 20-30 price range. Tie downs are not an issue for me. I have them all over the bed in every hole..more than 22. Without the DEEZEE the tailgate drops too hard and fast. The only issue is closing the tailgate takes a little more effort now and slightly longer. Make sure you tighten those bolts REALLY TIGHT or it will loosen up. I ended up replacing the torx since I starting stripping the head out since it loosened up on me twice...my fault for not cranking down on it in the first place.

Would you suggest Loctite ( the blue removable one)? Anyone, thoughts?

 

[gp1200x]

Would you suggest Loctite ( the blue removable one)? Anyone, thoughts?

It might help but the issue is to make sure that that bolt is tight so it doesn't move around because it is really more like a clamping that takes place. Loctite will only help prevent the bolt from coming loose but if it isn't tight the assembly can slowly move around if it isn't clamped down hard enough. Make sure you use the correct torx socket for a tight fit since that torx head will strip out if the wrong torx is used. Not the best quality bolt in my opinion.

 

[Taz357]

I got that one for several reasons. Price, it came with the installation tools, and the reviews. It did not engage soon enough for my liking and I sent it back and ordered the Deezee.

Here is my thread about my experience. https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/how-soon-does-your-tailgate-assist-engage.43713/

I bought the DeeZee and it doesn't engage for about the first 10 inches either. If I need to replace it, I will probably try the roughcountry one.

 

[MavDan]

I bought this one: Tailgate Assist though I don't find it THAT useful. I end up waiting for it to open...

 

[White Thunder]

Hi all! Really want to install a tailgate assist. Will have to buy from Amazon. Any thoughts? Any experiences? This one seems to be "Amazon's choice" so was going to perhaps go with it? Thoughts? Anybody try this kit or any of the kits out there?

https://a.co/d/beBmx4b

I have one from Ford accessories, easy to install, used my points after buying truck.

 

[Lane]

I bought this one: Tailgate Assist though I don't find it THAT useful. I end up waiting for it to open...

I bought the TMS tailgate assist strut, one of the cheaper kits on Amazon ($20). Decent quality and fit, works as designed, quick install, no clearance issues with the gate cable, and a good price. Be aware though that for this brand/model, the assist kicks in after opening it about a third of the way. And its bracket lower screw is rusty after just one winter. If any of these kits looks like it has bare metal screws, it's probably a good idea to hit it with some paint before installing.

I'd like to get a tailgate assist, but I dislike the idea of losing that tie down point. Anyone added anything to the tailgate to assist with tie downs that aren't on the side of the tailgate by the assist?

I made a simple one from some steel from my workshop scrap bin. The loop clears the strut when closing the gate.

A few people asked if I'd make them one, so I made a few more. If anyone would like one, I posted a thread here in the For Sale forum.

 

[Taz357]

I find it interesting that some say the DeeZee assist is smooth all the way. I bought that one and the tailgate assist does not kick in right away. I could have bought one for ten less. If I ever need to replace it, I will probably just go with the roughcountry brand.

 

[BlackMav23]

I bought the DeeZee and it doesn't engage for about the first 10 inches either. If I need to replace it, I will probably try the roughcountry one.

Any more recent thoughts on tailgate assist options?

I had a DeeZee on my 2023. It ended up freezing solid one night and I broke the bracket forcing the tailgate open. They sent me another, but to be honest I wasn't happy with it. Took way too long for it to engage. Kinda fell open and then at the last second would slow down. I ended up leaving it on my 2023 when I traded it in.

Looking for a better option for my 2025.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I don't know how water would have gotten inside the pressure cylinder to freeze, unless the strut was installed upside down, as shown in the picture.
My opinion is that Rough Country mounted the strut upside down for advertising purposes. In order to better show off their name.

In the literature that Ford produces for the sale of their tailgate strut. Ford shows the strut mounted this way. Allowing any condensation to drain out.

 

[OleFordGuy]

Never had a problem with my DeeZee that’s what I always recommend, sounds like yours was a freak thing

 

[Dave O]

I installed the “rough country“ tailgate assist no issues very easy to install - can imagine there is much differences between any of the brands except pricing IMO

 

[mcluvin]

I've seen similar, but I hear those often get caught when closing the tailgate. I wonder if using that in the other hole would work though. I'll have to look into it.

These are reported to be compatible with tailgate assists.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D94C672B?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[BlackMav23]

I don't know how water would have gotten inside the pressure cylinder to freeze, unless the strut was installed upside down, as shown in the picture.
My opinion is that Rough Country mounted the strut upside down for advertising purposes. In order to better show off their name.


In the literature that Ford produces for the sale of their tailgate strut. Ford shows the strut mounted this way. Allowing any condensation to drain out.

Mounted per instructions of DeeZee, as you can see in the picture. Never saw ice or water of any kind but it was frozen shut. I had to use such force to open it that the weld snapped.

Regardless I wasn't happy with the replacement. Would fall almost all the way open before the assist would engage. You think DeeZee is worth another go or is there something better on the market? I'll send it back immediately if I get another one that takes that long to engage.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Mounted per instructions of DeeZee, as you can see in the picture. Never saw ice or water of any kind but it was frozen shut. I had to use such force to open it that the weld snapped.

Regardless I wasn't happy with the replacement. Would fall almost all the way open before the assist would engage. You think DeeZee is worth another go or is there something better on the market? I'll send it back immediately if I get another one that takes that long to engage.

Number one I think Rough Country wanted it mounted that way out of vanity, so that their name showed. Common sense would have dictated it be mounted the other way around for the reasons I stated in a previous post.
As far as the tailgate dropping it has to drop because the first 10/15 degrees there's no compression from the strut, as a transitions from straight up and down to an angled position.
As I show in my attached video and picture.
Subsequently there is going to be some free fall before the strut has some resistance from pressure.

Sponsored