How soon does your tailgate assist engage?

[twracing]

I watched most of the Amazon review videos for both Orion and Deezee. Got the same vibe from those that Deezee was. That plus the fact that Ford Accessories is selling the Deezee as well. Went with Deezee and yes it catches from the start.

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[cyberdog]

I have an inexpensive $17.xx unit from a sale on Amazon, which also engages immediately. - Actually works very well.

 

[Exranger]

Same, Dee zee starts right away

 

[SFB]

I just installed an Orion Motor Tech (OMT) tailgate assist. The tailgate drops a fair amount before the assist catches. I would say it drops about 8". It seems like it should catch sooner. Is this normal?

I have never had this feature on a truck before so nothing to compare it to.

You really need a tailgate assist on an aluminum tailgate?

 

[Snowbird]

Which way did you install it? I think that does make a difference.

I have the rough country one and I did not install it as they show on their website because it behaved as you described, not catching or slowing down until 8-10 inches. Rough country tailgate assist

I followed the instructions and have the cylinder up.

 

[Snowbird]

You really need a tailgate assist on an aluminum tailgate?

This is not an answer to my question. I don't know what your tailgate is made of but mine is not aluminum.

I got it because my wife has bad arthritis with a fused wrist and 3 replaced nuckles and it is easier for her to handle lowering the tailgate with the assist.

 

[259Maverick]

I got the rough country one and it engages immediately and has a nice smooth letdown

 

[Optimus]

My DEEZEE engages immediately too. But in temps lower than about 0F or colder (many people won’t ever see this….), it drops extremely slowly and becomes noisy. I haven’t seen a gas charged strut do that before on vehicles with lift assisted hoods or rear hatches etc…. Usually, cold temps will just make a strut weaker, to the point it’s like the strut is gone, e.g. hatch won’t stay open and is hard to lift.

I’m assuming cold temps thicken up the fluid, causing slower action. I mention this, as I am slightly concerned the cold will kill it at some point. The tailgate assist made a lot more noise when cold, and this wasn’t even a cold winter for us. In fact, it was record-breaking warm in MN this season.

 

[Vomamansr]

I just installed an Orion Motor Tech (OMT) tailgate assist. The tailgate drops a fair amount before the assist catches. I would say it drops about 8". It seems like it should catch sooner. Is this normal?

I have never had this feature on a truck before so nothing to compare it to.

I installed the Klutchtech tailgate assist shock and it engages right away

 

[Brianx]

before my mav i had a GMC Sierra. THAT could have used an assist. the mav tailgate feels like nothing (i'm not a big strong guy)

 

[Snowbird]

before my mav i had a GMC Sierra. THAT could have used an assist. the mav tailgate feels like nothing (i'm not a big strong guy)

Yes it is a light tailgate and I have no issue with it. The assist is for when my wife uses the tailgate.
She loves driving the Maverick!

 

[MetalsGeek]

I bought a Chinese clone and I think all the cheap ones do this to some extent. It drops about 1/4 of the way and then engages. Since the damper travel is almost zero when the tailgate begins to open, and getting 100% fill on the oil, I can understand this might be a problem for a lot of them.

 

[Poultrygeist]

Mine drops a bit before engaging. Not worth sending it back or worrying about it.

 

[commadorebob]

I'll echo the comments on DeeZee. Works fine. It'll open about the depth of the door before it catches, which is about what I wanted anyway.

 

[IHateSpeedbumps]

Mine drops a bit before engaging. Not worth sending it back or worrying about it.

Mine does too but I like it that way. I have had ones that engage from the start and it feels like they take forever to drop. The one I have slows down the most important part and that is all that matters.

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