does anyone have the uprated gas struts installed? you know, the ones that mean the tailgate will stay up with the bikes on the rack.....
basically, this:
my only worry is that even with my fighting weight of 76kg i won't be able to close the tailgate if the bikes are not on there.
any experience?
[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-New-VW-T5-Tailgate-Gas-Struts-Uprated-1130N-For-Bike-Rack-E1921A-/282120885048?fits=Car+Make%3AVW&epid=556714464&hash=item41afb71338:g:D8MAAOSwB09YETFO ](these are what I'm looking at on the 'bay)[/url]
I have uprated ones on my T4. They make it "quite" hard to close un-laden, but pretty easy when you've got bikes on the rack.
But given that even at 76kg you weigh more than the load of the bikes, it shouldn't be unsurmountable for you to close it un-laden.
I had them when I had a tailgate 4 bike rack, they were quite fierce with no bikes on the rack and really fierce when the rack was off. It would open the boot with bikes on though. I may still have them somewhere, tried them on ebay without joy, but may have chucked them away in a garage clearout.
thanks for the replies....
think i'll go for it. old struts struggle to hold the tailgate with empty rack when it is cold. besides, it'll life easier; if i want a shower i don't have to take the bikes off the rack.
if it is too much to pull down i can always let a little air out.
Plan b, telescopic broom handle as a prop when the tailgate is open.
Edeka usually have them... Stash it in the van.
Aye, a prop would be far less hassle/cost
They come as standard on the California.
Mine seems fine to close, not too much force needed. Might be worth seeing how much the oe ones are from vw?
Have also considered that, Rick, but I've enough crap in the van as it is.
😆
I'm very doubtful VW are going to be cheaper than £50....
The gas struts from vw are about £100 each. I didn't bother. You can get them off ebay for about £20, but not sure if they are proper ones or not.
Yes, upgraded on our Caravelle. Got them from a place in Derby ( http://www.sgs-engineering.com/), they will also re-gas them should the time comes.
