Maverick BS accessories and their alternatives

[Jozell]

I know I am only one of four people who feel this way, and to those who believe in them, I say God bless you, but why install a tailgate device to let it down. I am 76 and have had 2 lower back surgeries, open heart surgery last year with 5 bypasses, and I have ZERO trouble letting the tailgate down. Yes, if someone has problems in the upper torso or something, I understand, but for able bodied men, it just does not make sense unless laziness comes into play.

I installed mine because of my 9 y/o. I worry about her injuring the tailgate or herself.

Sponsored

 

[jewc75]

Every truck i own has the soft tailgate built in, its muscle memory to grab the handle and let it go. When Amazon had them on sale for 15 bucks it was a no brainer to grab one.

 

[KdeB]

I know I am only one of four people who feel this way, and to those who believe in them, I say God bless you, but why install a tailgate device to let it down. I am 76 and have had 2 lower back surgeries, open heart surgery last year with 5 bypasses, and I have ZERO trouble letting the tailgate down. Yes, if someone has problems in the upper torso or something, I understand, but for able bodied men, it just does not make sense unless laziness comes into play.

I’ll answer this…. I like having the slow-open tailgate, because I often am putting groceries or boxes back there with my hands full — And didn’t like opening the tailgate and having it gravity-drop fast again me when I was juggling stuff in both arms.

So the tailgate assist works for me, and not BS for me at all.

But every owner has their preferences, for sure.

 

[tom_tucker]

I’ll answer this…. I like having the slow-open tailgate, because I often am putting groceries or boxes back there with my hands full — And didn’t like opening the tailgate and having it gravity-drop fast again me when I was juggling stuff in both arms.

So the tailgate assist works for me, and not BS for me at all.

But every owner has their preferences, for sure.

I like how it opens quicker without it. I got the Lux package at $1730 with the locking tailgate latch. Since the bed liner was removed from the Lux package. I put down $120 for the bed mat and $60 for the tailgate liner. While installing the tailgate liner, I added some sound deadening panels so the tailgate wouldn't be so tinny. Not so loud if it ever it falls now (hasn't happened yet ). I'm looking at $25 to weatherstrip the tailgate (yes, BS accessory). Seems like the tailgate is well funded even without dampening or hinge locking.

I believe that BS Maverick accessories are stealing the value that some owners intended their vehicle to have. I'm determined to keep the BS to a minimum. Even then, I'm looking at over 12 accessories, 8 of which I have already purchased.

 

[icegradner]

Don't see the tailgate damper as BS, very useful for me. Weight is not super important, I'm more than fit enough. I went without it for the first 3 months of ownership, it was fine. That said I just don't like being noisy early in the morning when I get to clients homes, and with the damper I can multi-task without the tailgate making a big crash when it drops.

To me the BS is all the stickers, adding more branding and badges, fit's stuff, arm rest covers, extra rubber pads, console pocket dividers and such. I went for LED replacement lights (tail lights and turn signals) as well, but to be honesty other than the tail lights it's kind of BS too.

 

[JimParker256]

I know I am only one of four people who feel this way, and to those who believe in them, I say God bless you, but why install a tailgate device to let it down. I am 76 and have had 2 lower back surgeries, open heart surgery last year with 5 bypasses, and I have ZERO trouble letting the tailgate down. Yes, if someone has problems in the upper torso or something, I understand, but for able bodied men, it just does not make sense unless laziness comes into play.

I can lower or lift it with just one finger. (I'm sure you're impressed by that... Not.) But my wife is not as "mighty" (he snickers) as I am, especially when she's holding something (like a flower pot) in one hand and opening the tailgate with the other. Having it lower smoothly instead of dropping like a rock (with attendant banging and clanging) is much nicer for her. I bet if you were to show your wife one with and one without, she would also pick the one "with" the strut...

But that's not the only (or even the main) reason I bought the tailgate strut... I got it because I have little grandkids that LOVE to play in my truck's bed, and they are constantly opening and closing the tailgate. The littlest one is the perfect height for it to give him a concussion. The dampener makes that a non-issue, and takes the worry out of it for me. Of course, I could be the "grumpy grandpa" that doesn't let the kids play in the truck bed, but "Naaahhh..." I love that they love my truck almost as much as I do!

 

[BradnChristine]

Necessary: No. Convenient: Yes. Just like every factory option I added. None were necessary to get from point A to point B. But I enjoy the options I chose...and the tailgate assist. Unless it has a protective quality, I didn't add tape on stuff as it didn't add convenience or meet a need.

 

[raymaines]

God bless every owner that's happy with his or her own truck and all the do-dads they want to spend money on, but when I think about spending my own money on my truck I'll draw the line just this side of fake carbon fiber. And fake hood scoops. Fake carbon fiber fake hood scoops are the worst. The airfoil thingies on the back of the cab and tailgate are a close second.

Just to overshare, I'll add that changing the ride height and spending a small fortune on custom wheels seems silly to me as well.

 

[tom_tucker]

I can lower or lift it with just one finger. (I'm sure you're impressed by that... Not.) But my wife is not as "mighty" (he snickers) as I am, especially when she's holding something (like a flower pot) in one hand and opening the tailgate with the other. Having it lower smoothly instead of dropping like a rock (with attendant banging and clanging) is much nicer for her. I bet if you were to show your wife one with and one without, she would also pick the one "with" the strut...

But that's not the only (or even the main) reason I bought the tailgate strut... I got it because I have little grandkids that LOVE to play in my truck's bed, and they are constantly opening and closing the tailgate. The littlest one is the perfect height for it to give him a concussion. The dampener makes that a non-issue, and takes the worry out of it for me. Of course, I could be the "grumpy grandpa" that doesn't let the kids play in the truck bed, but "Naaahhh..." I love that they love my truck almost as much as I do!

I have a 5 year old daughter and she climbs in. I still never considered needing a tailgate damper.

The damper would piss me off because I'd have to wait for that shit. Like waiting for a soft close toilet seat when you gotta take a grumper!

I'll keep my 30 bucks and the tie down/ bottle opener.

Plus, looks to me like that damper would get in the way of the tailgate cables.

I sound deadened inside the tailgate already, now it has a solid feel. Root cause resolved!

 

[tom_tucker]

God bless every owner that's happy with his or her own truck and all the do-dads they want to spend money on, but when I think about spending my own money on my truck I'll draw the line just this side of fake carbon fiber. And fake hood scoops. Fake carbon fiber fake hood scoops are the worst. The airfoil thingies on the back of the cab and tailgate are a close second.

Just to overshare, I'll add that changing the ride height and spending a small fortune on custom wheels seems silly to me as well.

Wind deflectors and the hood protector have recently been eliminated from my wishlist. Nice to have but not necessities. I may look at hood protection film instead. Keep the paint color and still protect the hood.

There are plenty of trick trucks and show trucks and that's fine. I'm focused on a economy build. I spec'd the XLT Lux so I would keep it a long time. It's well equipped, so I feel I shouldn't have to spend a ton more. I still will, but that accessory must deliver. I'm trying to keep it at 15, not 30 add-ons.

 

[icegradner]

I sound deadened inside the tailgate already, now it has a solid feel. Root cause resolved!

Sound deadening costs more than the damper, but hey we all have our own likes and dislikes.

 

[tom_tucker]

Sound deadening costs more than the damper, but hey we all have our own likes and dislikes.

No sir, my butyl sound mats were left over from a project, super old.

I like $1 beers and $0 upgrades.

 

[Gullzway]

Wind deflectors and the hood protector have recently been eliminated from my wishlist. Nice to have but not necessities. I may look at hood protection film instead. Keep the paint color and still protect the hood.

I had a rock hit and crack my Windshield on the highway 12 days after purchase. Many others here have as well. I found the Aeroskin 2 deflector, now discontinued, at my local dealer shortly after. I haven't had a rock, and few bugs, hit the new Windshield in the year since. Also never had a rock crack my Sport Trac Windshield in the 15 years I had it with a "bug" deflector on.

However, the newer ones without the Bump to deflect air do not achieve this purpose and are only for hood protection.

 

[tom_tucker]

I had a rock hit and crack my Windshield on the highway 12 days after purchase. Many others here have as well. I found the Aeroskin 2 deflector, now discontinued, at my local dealer shortly after. I haven't had a rock, and few bugs, hit the new Windshield in the year since. Also never had a rock crack my Sport Trac Windshield in the 15 years I had it with a "bug" deflector on.

However, the newer ones without the Bump to deflect air do not achieve this purpose and are only for hood protection.

Good point. If it has that rise, it can protect the windshield as well. Sort of tips it to a "buy". Unfortunately, they all look low profile as you mentioned. I like winter driving, so rocks are an issue.

I do have a somewhat "squeeky" windshield so no need to protect it. Not bad enough to replace it though. Kinda waiting for that crack fist. By then new defectors could roll out.

 

[Gullzway]

Good point. If it has that rise, it can protect the windshield as well. Sort of tips it to a "buy". Unfortunately, they all look low profile as you mentioned. I like winter driving, so rocks are an issue.

I do have a somewhat "squeeky" windshield so no need to protect it. Not bad enough to replace it though. Kinda waiting for that crack fist. By then new defectors could roll out.

Lol, my first Windshield had the unbearable rattle since purchase. So I was actually "lucky" the rock cracked it. Replacement through Safelite was $100 State Farm glass deductible and the rattle was gone. I know others have had ongoing problems and many trips to the dealer trying to fix theirs.
Not wanting another though!
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=bHRqUDlDS0FsMnlwY0FGVDBrcC1VTDc4MXRFQzRB

Sponsored