How to Stop Your Truck Tailgate from Slamming Down
A heavy truck tailgate can crash open the moment the latch releases, especially when you have only one hand available. An inexpensive gas-charged tailgate support controls the descent, prevents the slam, and adds a modern convenience to many older pickups.
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A truck tailgate can be surprisingly heavy, and once the latch releases, gravity takes over. The tailgate drops quickly, hits the end of its support cables with a bang, and places an abrupt load on the cables, mounting points, hinges, and tailgate itself.
It can also be awkward or unsafe when you are carrying something, holding a tool, or opening a latch with only one hand.
Many newer pickups include a dampened, slow-lowering tailgate from the factory. Older trucks can gain much the same convenience with an affordable aftermarket tailgate lift support, sometimes called a tailgate assist, tailgate damper, or "easy-down."
For our 2013 Ford F-150, we installed a Stabilus 5Z-437896 gas-charged lift support from Lift Supports Depot. They carry this type of support for many truck makes, models, and model years.
Visit www.liftsupportsdepot.com and enter the year, make, model, and trim of your vehicle. The website uses that information to identify the supports designed for the application, helping remove the guesswork from finding the correct part.
These kits are surprisingly affordable, commonly costing around $45 depending on the vehicle, product, and current pricing. The kit includes the gas-charged support, the mounting hardware, and simple instructions to complete the installation.
Only basic hand tools are required. The mounting brackets attach to the existing holes in the truck bed and tailgate, so the upgrade can be completed without complicated modifications. Once the brackets are installed, the gas support snaps onto its mounting points.
The support does not make the tailgate weightless or raise it automatically. Its job is to resist the downward movement, control the tailgate as it opens, and bring it gently to the fully lowered position.
No more grabbing for a falling tailgate. No more loud bang when it reaches the end of the cables. No more having to carefully guide it down every time you open it.
This same basic solution is also available for weak or failed lift supports on SUV hatches, liftgates, trunks, camper shells, and other vehicle panels. See our companion episode showing how to replace the lift supports on an SUV liftgate:
https://youtu.be/eJdhn6Qs6EU
A small gas support makes a substantial difference every time the tailgate is opened. It is affordable, practical, and straightforward to install.
No more tailgate slams, and you did it yourself!