Oh boy here we go, a serious tailgate damper question

[D Fresh]

Ratcheting cargo tie-down through the hitch receiver - you could even run the strap through you 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.

I'd go this route.

K.I.S.S.

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[wanted33]

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

Told ya I'd try and be serious. ?

Nice try Dave, but no one expected you would make it. However, an "A" for effort is yours.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

If I am understanding it correctly the bike tire is sitting right ion the tailgate, but that alone is not enough weight to hold the tailgate down when you hit a bounce?

If so, a strap over the center of the bike somewhere, using the cargo box loops for down pressure?

Or a 2x4 extended out over the tailgate, strapped down using the cargo loops, and maybe a riser on the 2x4?

Jam a towel in the tailgate gap? Make sure it's big enough to over fill the gap, and dust dirt won't build up, causing wear.

The strap around the tailgate, could cause wear on the tailgate finish, especially with lots of dust/dirt.

 

[Markubis]

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

Agreed
The Ford bed extender has straps that lock into the side latch holes on the tailgate.
They keep the bed extender from bouncing up but they will also turn the bed extender into a fairly rigid stabilizer for the tailgate.

 

[Trigganometry]

and then loading bikes is a moot point.

Someone is getting a bump on their head then…

 

[AzScorpion]

Nice try Dave, but no one expected you would make it. However, an "A" for effort is yours.

I tried Jim I really did! But like I've said before it's like putting a drink in front of an alcoholic. Yes, I'm weak. ?

 

[AzScorpion]

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

Agreed
The Ford bed extender has straps that lock into the side latch holes on the tailgate.
They keep the bed extender from bouncing up but they will also turn the bed extender into a fairly rigid stabilizer for the tailgate.

The bed extender will not hold the tailgate down even while strapped. I use mine every day for work and if I hot a large bump it will move. Here's a picture where it's strapped down and I can lift it all the way open.

@DukeCanBuildit has the best solution.

 

[HenryMac]

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.

And that advice right there ^^^^ is wisdom. A smart man learns from his own mistakes. A wise man learns from the trials and tribulations of others.

Like the paint on your truck? Do everything within reason to not drive with the tailgate down on unpaved roads..

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

When I install my damper(I’m serious) I’ll let you know I wanted a damper so I can open it from inside my camper shell without it dropping and waking other campers. I’m just lazy to install the damper because I don’t have camping trips planned anytime soon.

 

[Fitzmotor]

I will just keep strapping the bikes down, it's almost the same as strapping the tailgate down except they dont bounce around, I may try a strut or something like the damper to hold it open, the older Raptor I traded in could just fit both with the gate closed.
They are big heavy 6' long ebikes.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

And that advice right there ^^^^ is wisdom. A smart man learns from his own mistakes. A wise man learns from the trials and tribulations of others.

Like the paint on your truck? Do everything within reason to not drive with the tailgate down on unpaved roads..

Speaking of trials and tribulations…

One time, with my 2001 Ranger, I had a few long 2x6s in the box with the tailgate up, but I wanted to hold the back window of the topper down - it had a high back and the huge window would catch too much wind - I grabbed the first bungee I could find and hooked it to the t-handle - it was short so the only place it could reach was the tailgate handle - not going far and no real tension on the bungee - no sweat - off I go into the night.

Less that a mile away, I hit a pothole, the window flexes up, the gas struts punch it further, it yanks on the bungee cord, which lifts the tailgate handle, the tailgate opens and drops, the passenger side support cable has a crack in the vinyl outer housing and the cable is rusting, it fails, the tailgate pops out of the passenger side and is dragging behind the Ranger, dangling by the driver‘s side cable - fish-tailing all over the road with sparks flying! ?

The only damage was the newly sanded down edge of the tailgate - and of course, my pride.

 

[HenryMac]

The only damage was the newly sanded down edge of the tailgate - and of course, my pride.

A good friend of mine had an S-10 Blazer, 2 door, his daily driver. He had a Ford 8N tractor sitting on a trailer, and he hooked the trailer to his Blazer. The trailer did not have brakes.

Down the road he goes. He forgot to latch the trailer to the ball on the hitch, but he did hook up the safety chains. Somehow the tractor rolled backwards just enough to lift the trailer off the ball, sparks and grinding ensue.

The only way to slow down is to hit the brakes on the Blazer. He does that and the trailer tongue starts bashing into the back of the S-10 Blazer.

Luckily nobody was injured. He bought a new tailgate and new back glass... good to go.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

A good friend of mine had an S-10 Blazer, 2 door, his daily driver. He had a Ford 8N tractor sitting on a trailer, and he hooked the trailer to his Blazer. The trailer did not have brakes.

Down the road he goes. He forgot to latch the trailer to the ball on the hitch, but he did hook up the safety chains. Somehow the tractor rolled backwards just enough to lift the trailer off the ball, sparks and grinding ensue.

The only way to slow down is to hit the brakes on the Blazer. He does that and the trailer tongue starts bashing into the back of the S-10 Blazer.

Luckily nobody was injured. He bought a new tailgate and new back glass... good to go.

There’s nothing like hearing a thud and seeing a shower of sparks behind you and hearing the screech of metal on asphalt to get your attention.

 

[Megawatt]

All info pertaining to dampers are serious as the damper is a serious piece of performance enhancing kit.

 

[Markubis]

The bed extender will not hold the tailgate down even while strapped. I use mine every day for work and if I hot a large bump it will move. Here's a picture where it's strapped down and I can lift it all the way open.

@DukeCanBuildit has the best solution.

You sir, are correct.
I just went out and tried it myself.

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