Not sure which room this belongs in, so it goes here! Tailgate lift.

I'm 62 years old with 2 big back surgeries and 3 shoulder surgeries chalked up already. Needless to say, I'm not nearly the man I once was. There are some days when even small things are a tough chore. I ordered something this morning that should help to make my life much easier if it works as claimed. Last year I bought a new utility trailer that is 2 feet longer than my old one. It has one of those hinged drive on tailgates. Lowering and lifting that gate was really kicking my old ass, so I ordered this:
tailgate helper
Should be here middle or late next week. I'll keep you guys posted on how well it works after it gets installed. Any thoughts in advance?

That looks like a really cool product. The tailgate on mine is really heavy, so if I had a bad back I would look into purchasing one of those. I suspect you will be very happy with it.

I've seen those and have wondered how effective they were. Hopefully it will be the ticket for you. My dad used to own a trailer fabrication and repair business, The way that he approached a heavy tailgate was to either use a larger or more springs at the hinge. On his personal trailer it takes zero effort to raise and lower the gate. But to do something like that takes time, and time is money if you are paying someone to do it. The assist cables may be cheaper in the long run.

I have the same set on my 16 foot trailer with a 7 foot wide gate. I bought mine here in Knoxville at Nothern tool and I love them. Take your time and set it up right and you will love them. I can put my toe under my gate and flip it up waist high. The reason why I say take you time is because I bought mine with two other guys and one didnt hook up both springs inside. The other guy just stretched the cable over to his gate and mounted it. So his dont have enuff tension on the springs and he still bends over to pick the gate up. The way the instructions say is to put the bolts they supply thru your mesh gate and install the cables. then check the tension on the gate. If it isnt enuff you move the cable up the gate till it takes very little effort to pick the gate up. When you find your "sweet spot" you have to drill holes in the side of the gate and install the bolts perment. It will be one of the best things you have ever bought.

I've seen those and they are pretty slick operations. I just bought a new gatormade trailer back in the spring. All of their trailers with ramp gates comes with a large spring on on side. I can just kick at the gate when it's down and it'll lift right up into place. When I lower it no more slamming into the driveway either.

chipper wrote:

I've seen those and they are pretty slick operations. I just bought a new gatormade trailer back in the spring. All of their trailers with ramp gates comes with a large spring on on side. I can just kick at the gate when it's down and it'll lift right up into place. When I lower it no more slamming into the driveway either.

I have the same set-up Chipper, without the spring assist I couldn't lift the gate at all. The cable system looks like it might have a smoother control though.

Thanks a million guys. I now feel a lot better about buying something sight unseen. Can't wait to get it now.

Yep got that on my 12 foot trailer set it up like directions says an you can flip it up with your foot half way to grab it , an putting it down just drop an mine stops about 2" from the ground. Had mine for about four years works great, had back sergury also so I know how you feel you'll love it

oh yeah i have never used one but my buddy has one on his 20 foot landscaping trailer said it works like a charm.

My dad puts them on all his landscaping trailers. Its nothing for them to make 8+ stops a day so thats a lot opening and closing the gate. He loves them.

you will kick yourself and your dog for not buying one sooner. promise