Tailgate Damper……cons?

myothercarizahearse

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dave
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Threads
18
Messages
1,880
Reaction score
6,632
Location
Cleveland, Ohio
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger STX 4x4 w/ GFC V2, 1987 Caddy hearse
Occupation
Unretired

myothercarizahearse

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dave
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Threads
18
Messages
1,880
Reaction score
6,632
Location
Cleveland, Ohio
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger STX 4x4 w/ GFC V2, 1987 Caddy hearse
Occupation
Unretired
JasonTremor
Sure comes in handy when you got your arms full. Open the tailgate with one finger and it lowers to open position without slamming open. Well worth that alone.
I was thinking of tools and other stuff I use around the farm, but groceries I always accept the challenge of carrying as many plastic bags on one hand as possible so I can avoid the shopping cart with the wobbly wheel.

Got3fords
But yeah, arms full of stuff and the damper comes in really handy.
I haul stuff other than groceries to my truck all the time. Gas cans, trash bags, work out stuff, bikes, kayaking stuff you name it.
Need it? No. But put down crap in one hand, pop the tailgate latch, bend over pick up crap, by that time gate is down and throw crap in. Time saver.

Floyd (best one yet)
Its cheap, effective, and easy to install (also easy to remove if disappointed.
The Damper prevents the hard impact if you just pop the tailgate....
It helps prevent tailgate damage when towing to prevent striking the tongue jack.
It allows others to open the tailgate without the hard drop surprise.
it allows reaction time in case you place an intended load too close.
it reduces "drop" damage to the reverse camera.
It might prevent cargo falling out if it was leaning on the gate.
It helps the injured or the physically weak.
It is quieter when dropped and for old guys its a lot quieter when closing.

LostMy65
My kid went running by just as I was opening the tailgate. If it wasn't for the damper, my tailgate would have a dent in it

Rhino
its nice to have when im messing with stuff when camping open the gate and walk away and it open when i come back

Grumpaw
The biggest benefit for me is when I have our travel trailer hooked up. When dropping the tailgate, it comes within about 2-3 inches of hitting the trailers electric tongue lift head. The damper allows the gate to drop slowly. Without it, should it slip, and if the truck were parked in a front end up situation, the tailgate would hit the lift head. It's also much easier to control the gate when hitched up and not being able to stand directly behind the latch.

Mr.Mel
I hate doors or anything slamming or hitting the limits of travel just me from my old machinist days I guess.
still waiting for a reason
 

Tracy Bowman

Well-Known Member
First Name
Tracy
Joined
Apr 11, 2019
Threads
25
Messages
5,183
Reaction score
26,260
Location
Alabama
Vehicle(s)
2013 Hyundai Accent, 2001 Ford F-150, 2019 Ford Ranger FX4 Saber Lariat
Installing a damper changes the truck's ride stance with the increased weight on one corner, which moves the center of gravity by 0.0032987% Over time, this imbalance causes lateral concentric force on the drive shaft, increasing it's aggregate mean friction conundrum. This will initialize a thermodynamic inefficiency event, causing the rear U-joint to glow white hot at speeds above 390 mph.

Prove it for yourself:
physics-equations-canvas.jpg.webp copy.jpg
@Motorpsychology , you related to @KNI?:LOL:
 

Motorpsychology

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Nov 13, 2019
Threads
11
Messages
2,583
Reaction score
8,067
Location
Prescott, WI
Vehicle(s)
2021 Ranger STX SuperCab 4X4, '09 Mariner
Occupation
Vagabond
Wait, I see the problem now... you didn't account for the second damper (see blue arrow). Run THAT through your personal quantum computer and tell me I'm wrong!

1663970173046.png
Nah... that's just doodling. I was trying to come up with a way to siphon off the fuel in oil and use its hydraulic leverage to self-raise the tailgate.
 


Motorpsychology

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Nov 13, 2019
Threads
11
Messages
2,583
Reaction score
8,067
Location
Prescott, WI
Vehicle(s)
2021 Ranger STX SuperCab 4X4, '09 Mariner
Occupation
Vagabond

Tracy Bowman

Well-Known Member
First Name
Tracy
Joined
Apr 11, 2019
Threads
25
Messages
5,183
Reaction score
26,260
Location
Alabama
Vehicle(s)
2013 Hyundai Accent, 2001 Ford F-150, 2019 Ford Ranger FX4 Saber Lariat
Not by genetics, we're just forumhood brethren, Sister Tracy!
SUNGLASSES.jpeg
It’s great having so many wonderful brothers & sisters! Folks on this forum are terrific!:inlove:
Oh, and let me add…smart!
 

Muddy Fenders

Banned
Banned
First Name
Judd
Joined
May 27, 2022
Threads
5
Messages
282
Reaction score
847
Location
Canada
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger
Occupation
Retired
Today I had 36, 8ft spruce 2x4's in the bed propped up on the tailgate.
I opened the gate with one hand and yanked it open with the other.
they crashed down like a game of Jenga.

Am I missing something here?
 

Motorpsychology

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Nov 13, 2019
Threads
11
Messages
2,583
Reaction score
8,067
Location
Prescott, WI
Vehicle(s)
2021 Ranger STX SuperCab 4X4, '09 Mariner
Occupation
Vagabond
Today I had 36, 8ft spruce 2x4's in the bed propped up on the tailgate.
I opened the gate with one hand and yanked it open with the other.
they crashed down like a game of Jenga.

Am I missing something here?
Balsa or cork stringers wouldn't do that.
 

got3fords

Well-Known Member
First Name
James
Joined
Apr 12, 2021
Threads
77
Messages
2,721
Reaction score
6,327
Location
22973
Vehicle(s)
2021 XLT Sport
still waiting for a reason
Here's another one. Having a perfectly legitimate, cheap, useful mod on my truck prevents me from the need to put a bunch of stupid, useless stickers on my rear window.
 
Last edited:

canyonslicker

Well-Known Member
First Name
Andy
Joined
Jun 13, 2021
Threads
39
Messages
1,299
Reaction score
4,814
Location
California
Vehicle(s)
2021 Ranger Lariat
Occupation
65 YO Juvenile Delinquent
Here's another one. Having a perfectly legitimate, cheap, useful mod on my truck prevents me from the need to put a bunch of stupid, useless stickers on my rear window.
Hey wait a minute, some of those stickers add HP and street cred… prove me wrong!!!
 

myothercarizahearse

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dave
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Threads
18
Messages
1,880
Reaction score
6,632
Location
Cleveland, Ohio
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger STX 4x4 w/ GFC V2, 1987 Caddy hearse
Occupation
Unretired
Here's another one. Having a perfectly legitimate, cheap, useful mod on my truck prevents me from the need to put a bunch of stupid, useless stickers on my rear window.
stickers +HP
TGD -wrist strength
 

Tako

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2021
Threads
5
Messages
143
Reaction score
364
Location
The Valley
Vehicle(s)
None
Ok so I know the tailgate damper is extremely popular but for me it’s take it or leave it I guess. I’ve not been in situation where I couldn’t just lower it by hand so it doesn’t slam. But hey it’s only like $40 so why not right? Before I get one I’d like to know if there’s anything any of you don’t like about it.
when u quit using your muscles they shrink.
Sponsored

 
 



Top