Oh boy here we go, a serious tailgate damper question

[Fitzmotor]

Amidst all of the humorous damper activity...........

I actually have a real question, when I load 2 bikes in the back and the tailgate is down, I have to strap the back of the bikes down so the tailgate does not bounce up and down, but it's not enough on the dirt roads, does the damper have any resistance upward at all to help limit the tailgate movement? (start laughing now) I actually thought that maybe 2 dampers might help, or is the gas charge in the damper set to help lift the tailgate as well as slow it's opening.
If I had one I could answer my own question, (maybe my Ranger could talk to your Ranger and they could discuss it together)
With the gate being aluminum I'm worried it's not very robust, I've had tailgates where the cable mounts get bent from the gate being down on rough roads.
I'm considering a spring loaded rod or gas charged shock to keep positive pressure on the gate when it's down, or run a strap from the bumper up to the gate, I dunno.

Okay let it begin, if I get at least a few good answers amongst some funny ones I'll be good, and yes, I couldn't resist a little humor myself ?
And as OP, I officially don't care about excessive damper humor, I wouldn't want to put a damper on the post?

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[Tom_C]

It probably does provide a bit of pressure, but it's hard to tell if it's enough to prevent bouncing. The gate lifts very easily, I don't notice the damper being there. I guess that doesn't help at all.

Added: Seems I have seen dual damper installs, but not on this forum. It was in some youtube videos I watched when I was researching.

 

[Racket]

By design I don't think a 'damper' is going to satisfy your need. I'm sure a crafty person could fabricate some type of bed rack that extends to accommodate stuff rigidly in the bed.

 

[THLONE]

You will have to wait while the damper people go out and try their dampers. This might take a while.

 

[Frio]

Doesn't At-all Meaningfully Push En Reverse (En, really )

 

[Fitzmotor]

Maybe I could put a schrader valve on a damper and give it a extra charge of nitrogen.

I am actually tempted to get the mounts for one, then go find a short gas shock for a trunk, put it on when I go riding.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

These work for downward pressure but I’m sure you could find a way to make something like them with some 1” flat stock and bolts from Home Depot.

https://www.dgmtailgatesupport.com/product-category/tailgate-support/

 

[HenryMac]

SuperCab

 

[AzScorpion]

Ok I'll try and be serious here. ? No it really doesn't have any resistance going up so this won't solve your issues.

But mounting two and turning them upside down might? ?

 

[AzScorpion]

If it had any resistance at all going upwards I wouldn't have these massive guns.

Told ya I'd try and be serious. ?

 

[Tom_C]

Ok I'll try and be serious here. ? No it really doesn't have any resistance going up so this won't solve your issues.

But mounting two and turning them upside down might? ?

Now that you mention it, there is a member who installed his damper upside down. I forget who, but he didn't mention that it operated differently going up or down.

 

[AzScorpion]

Now that you mention it, there is a member who installed his damper upside down. I forget who, but he didn't mention that it operated differently going up or down.

I think I remember that too. Funny he's never been seen again after that. ?

 

[the5Gmartian]

I guess im trying to understand the situation better; you have bikes in the bed, but they only partially cover the tailgate, which is then causing it to bounce up and down when its down? Is that accurate? If it is, you might want to look into a bed extender. That should work well

 

[Trigganometry]

Think you may be better off putting down some plywood that extends over the bed and then put the load on that. That will keep the tailgate from bouncing. Think dampers are only valved one way.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Ratcheting cargo tie-down through the hitch receiver - you could even run the strap through your bike’s wheel.

Oh yeah, don’t be too fussed about that strap rubbing on the painted edge of your tailgate because, if you’re bouncing down gravel roads, your tailgates already taking a beating from the stones and sand your tires are blasting out the back.

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