My grandfather had a finger that was pretty mangled on the end. He always told us grandkids it was from a bear biting him.
Your right about put other people in danger, unsecured load, your losts, asking a lot out of your tail gateThanks, John. I do have one of those and like it.
The linkages I was referring to would replace the cables for limiting the tailgates travel. I've noticed the tailgate seems to go past "level" when a load is on it, I'm nervous about cables breaking when the tailgate has a load on it, and Mavericks have had issues with the cables not being the same length. One cable takes a disproportiante amount of the weight when it's like this, and can cause a twisting stress is the tailgate when it happens.
The linkage (arms) I am thinking of were used for many years and seemed like a good idea. There may be a good reason cables are better, but I don't know what that would be.
In my example below, if the cable were to break my snowmobile would certainly be put in a dangerous position for me and other motorists. That's my fear. I'd be more comfortable with the old style arms in that instance.
I remember growing up using my Dad's '88 Chevy and they binded often. I remember "karate chopping" them down almost every time you had to close the tailgate. I bet my Dad would still be driving that truck if he didn't total it lol
As I mentioned in my thread, having to do the same thing. Corrosion and not being a great design added to us having to coax them to bend, in order to close the tailgate.
For a snowmobile, I agree a trailer would be the way to go.
I worked in a Chevrolet parts department in the 60S before I was drafted and went to Vietnam. I had the part numbers memorized for those hinges - sold a bunch of them. They would break at the bottom pin, both sides, dumping the load and anybody standing on the gate to the ground. Many customers angrily told me about serious injuries to the hips, knees, ankles, head, etc. Some of the customers said they were just standing on the gate when the hinges let go. I, for one, wouldn't have a set on my truck if someone offered them.I remember on older trucks, atleast '70's and prior Chevys, they had metal arms that were used instead of cables. These seemed to work good. They could be disconnected and the tailgate removed easily, they were easily inspected for corrosion and wear, and they certainly could carry loads.
Why did they go way from that design? Was it cost alone? They didn't take up alot of room, as they were fairly narrow, and I believe they might even be able to fit in the same area the Mavericks cables do.
I had an '95 Chevy that broke a cable. It was corroded and I couldn't see the corrosion as it was covered with rubber. At that time I thought it was a poor design.
Perhaps I'm missing something? I'd be interested in replacing my cables, if an aftermarket design similiar to the earlier ones were offered for the Maverick. I'd certainly be less worried when carrying a load on the tailgate, which happens on the Maverick alot more due to the short bed.
