What exactly is tailgate assist?

[WXman]

Is "tailgate assist" supposed to be the strut that allows slow, smooth lowering of the tailgate on its own or am I misunderstanding this feature? Reason I ask is because the tailgate on my new truck free falls if I open it with the latch and then take my hands off.

Sponsored

 

[WXman]

Bummer! I bought a 2003 Ranger new and it listed step rails on the sticker but the truck didn't have them. Salesman said "if it's on the window sticker, they owe it to you." Dealership ordered the step rails and installed them for me. I might have a conversation with my dealer about this when I go up there for my first service visit.

 

[RickLightning]

Last I checked, it it is printed on the window sticker they owe you the feature.

 

[hturnerfamily]

'Tailgate ASSIST' is NOT for lowering the tailgate, it's for ASSIST in CLOSING the tailgate, because of the weight...

it is a TORQUE BAR, installed, and twisted, to provide torque assist when lifting/closing the tailgate...

now, if you want some assist when LOWERING the tailgate, you can add the optional/or aftermarket small SHOCK that is easy to install. Works great. Provides nice easy slow lowering when you let go - no more 'slamming' open.

 

[Pod]

Some phantom accessory Ford fails to include on at least my 2023 Lightning. Still sore about that. Printed out to the dealer and they were like “we are not sure”

 

[WXman]

'Tailgate ASSIST' is NOT for lowering the tailgate, it's for ASSIST in CLOSING the tailgate, because of the weight...

it is a TORQUE BAR, installed, and twisted, to provide torque assist when lifting/closing the tailgate...

now, if you want some assist when LOWERING the tailgate, you can add the optional/or aftermarket small SHOCK that is easy to install. Works great. Provides nice easy slow lowering when you let go - no more 'slamming' open.

That makes no sense. The torsion system in tailgates has been around forever. If it is in "twisted" condition with the tailgate lowered, so that it can assist you in raising the gate, then by default it should be "untwisted" in closed position meaning it would have torsion applied to it as the tailgate is lowered again, thereby making it a softer opening.

In other words, If it's a mechanical torsion rod then the two actions cannot be mutually exclusive. Helping to close the tailgate should also help to open it.

I'm still going to prod my dealer about this.

 

[bmwhitetx]

The workshop manual states:

The tailgate assembly consists of the following:

• Tailgate
• Tailgate hinges (roller assembly)
• Tailgate support cables
• Torsion rod (if equipped)
• Tailgate damper (if equipped)
• Tailgate step (if equipped)
• Tailgate step handle (if equipped)
• Rear view camera (if equipped)
• Power locking tailgate latch release (if equipped)

Searching does seem to indicate that the torsion bar is mainly for lift-assist as it makes the tailgate lighter. And the Damper is used for a soft-open effect. Also see this thread where some folks got dealer to agree to a mis-built.

Think of a garage door torsion spring. Makes the door easier to lift but doesn't necessarily prevent it from slamming shut. Depends on the balance point. I do agree Ford does a poor job describing this feature.

 

[chl]

I got a fairly inexpensive ($25 in 2024) one that works nicely on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NJ7RJVF?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[jimfigler]

'Tailgate ASSIST' is NOT for lowering the tailgate, it's for ASSIST in CLOSING the tailgate, because of the weight...

it is a TORQUE BAR, installed, and twisted, to provide torque assist when lifting/closing the tailgate...

now, if you want some assist when LOWERING the tailgate, you can add the optional/or aftermarket small SHOCK that is easy to install. Works great. Provides nice easy slow lowering when you let go - no more 'slamming' open.

Exactly correct! So many people think "tailgate assist" is the dampener when lowering which it is not.

 

[chl]

Exactly correct! So many people think "tailgate assist" is the dampener when lowering which it is not.

The one I got (After market) does both - go figure. Makes it come down slowly and helps raise it too, just what I needed.

Winunite Compatible with 2015-2025 F150 Gray Tailgate Assist Shock Truck Lift Assist Fits for Truck Tailgate Accessories Soft Open Easy Down (All Tools Provided)

 

[jimfigler]

The one I got does both - go figure.

You are saying your truck came with a gas strut dampener from the factory? Because factory tailgate assist is just an internal torsion bar.

 

[chl]

You are saying your truck came with a gas strut dampener from the factory? Because factory tailgate assist is just an internal torsion bar.

No, nothing from Ford, I added this and it helps lower and raise the tailgate which I found helpful.

Sorry I should have been clearer - this was an aftermarket add on, not a Ford option or add-on.

 

[hturnerfamily]

The 'torsion bar' works only to ASSIST in LIFTING the tail gate, as it's 'torsion' springs in that direction... the tail gate is heavy enough, though, that it FALLS by itself, otherwise...

The 'dampener' shock works only to help soften/slow the FALL of the tail gate, when opening...

these are both two different things, and two different options, though some of the higher trims may already include one, or both... for some of us, we may only have the LIFT ASSIST, like my PRO SR, and I added an aftermarket opening SHOCK...

 

[bmwhitetx]

The 'torsion bar' works only to ASSIST in LIFTING the tail gate, as it's 'torsion' springs in that direction... the tail gate is heavy enough, though, that it FALLS by itself, otherwise...

The 'dampener' shock works only to help soften/slow the FALL of the tail gate, when opening...

these are both two different things, and two different options, though some of the higher trims may already include one, or both... for some of us, we may only have the LIFT ASSIST, like my PRO SR, and I added an aftermarket opening SHOCK...

This ^.
The 2025 Order Guide indicates all trucks have as standard equipment:

Starting with the Lariat trim, trucks have a power tailgate. Ford does sell a tailgate damper that does soft open but as others have mentioned there are cheaper alternatives. I bought one for my 2010 for about $25.

 

[WXman]

Still makes no sense. A torsion bar is going to provide the same resistance at every point of its travel through that 90° arc of motion. If it’s assisting you to lift the tailgate through the range of motion, then it’s also assisting you to lower it through the same range of motion. It would feel the same to the operator in both directions.

Regardless, no sense in continuing to beat this dead horse. I’ll check with my dealership on this, and will likely end up buying a dampening strut to add myself since it’s inexpensive and easy to install.

Sponsored