Death by Tailgate?
Having sold our 6 metre long, 3 metre high coach built motorhome a few years back, our return to motor caravanning, last July, in a Randger camper van, was a downsizing experience to which we are still adjusting.
The Randger is a pop top, based on a Fiat Talento van. Ours came with a bike rack already fitted to the tailgate to which we added a Fiamma Ultrabox 360. Even with the box empty, the tailgate struts became ineffective and getting to the boot area was a test of strength and flexibility to open and support the tailgate whilst reaching into the back of the van. The risk of serious injury from a free-falling tailgate meant that alternative support for the open tailgate was essential. I embarked on a search for updated gas struts but was unable to find any suitable for sale. So with a bit of thought and experimentation, I now have one of two supports fitted to the underside of the tailgate and I can, albeit with more effort than I would like, open the tailgate, deploy a support and work away in the boot without fear of impending death!
My solution used a combination of an extending decorator's pole, bits of a swivelling mop head, a terry clip, a large ferrule and a few screws. The whole assembly is a homage to Heath Robinson, but it works. If it should suddenly fail and I end up in hospital or worse, no grapes or flowers please.