Tailgate Stand-Off Latch
- Thread starter $immo
- Start date
For anybody struggling to align there standoff bracket, this method is quick and works every time:
Here’s a tip for using a Brandup Airsafe (tailgate ventilation bar). I’ve been using it for a while now and it’s a PITA to align with the tailgate lock, best done with two people with one inside positioning the bar and one outside to close the tailgate.
Obviously this only works if;
1. There are two people.
2. There is enough access to reach the area of the tailgate lock.
In order to make this an outside only, one person job I have attached a small cable tie base (superglued) to the tailgate lock.
Anything similar will work.
Essentials Cable Tie Base Black 25mm x 25mm 100 Pack - Screwfix
Order online at Screwfix.com. For use with cable ties. Made from ABS. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.www.screwfix.com
Next with the Brandup Airsafe bar in place on the van I placed a loop of strong but thin cord around the end of the bar that will engage in the lock. In my case I used 60lb fishing shock leader as it is strong and will not fray.
Both loose cord ends were then passed through the same eye on the cable tie base and tensioned.
Next the tailgate is slowly closed with one arm while tensioning the cord with the other.
This action lifts and aligns the Brandup Airsafe bar perfectly with the lock.
With the lock is engaged one end of the cord can be pulled to remove the cord from the lock.
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In the next few weeks I will be travelling from the North West to the Lot et Garonne region (France) for a 2 week holiday in a villa .
2 adults 2 kids and 2 big 45-50Kg dogs . in a 68 plate LWB T6 Kombi with an Exploria bed acting as a large parcel shelf.
We will we stopping regular but imagine it will get hot and stuffy when parked up for toilet breaks, etc , I am taking the front and side window shades. plus the side doors and tailgate have curtains . I will buy a couple of USB power fans for the back to run off my leisure battery and solar panel. The van has good aircon, I was looking at standoff's which allow your tailgate to be locked but with a gap to allow air in and out. Some come in different lengths .
I read on one of the adverts not to be used with hydraulic tailgate opening and closing version.
Does anybody have any experience with them , tips must avoids or even recommendations
2 adults 2 kids and 2 big 45-50Kg dogs . in a 68 plate LWB T6 Kombi with an Exploria bed acting as a large parcel shelf.
We will we stopping regular but imagine it will get hot and stuffy when parked up for toilet breaks, etc , I am taking the front and side window shades. plus the side doors and tailgate have curtains . I will buy a couple of USB power fans for the back to run off my leisure battery and solar panel. The van has good aircon, I was looking at standoff's which allow your tailgate to be locked but with a gap to allow air in and out. Some come in different lengths .
I read on one of the adverts not to be used with hydraulic tailgate opening and closing version.
Does anybody have any experience with them , tips must avoids or even recommendations
Yes, mine works well.
Do you have a power-opening/power closing tailgate, then? I don’t, so my answer may be useless to you
Open up the photos in my post. This method makes it much easier to engage the bar in the latch.
I use one for when we park up in the rain to keep things ventilated and we have power closing and latching.
Works fine, just a bit of a faff to fit as you must not let it power close on to it and miss.
What I do is
1. Put the standoff on the latch van side
2. Let the tailgate almost close under power with a hand under it and then hold it so it failsafes (stops, tried to reverse, stops completely)
3. Hold the standoff in place with one hand under the tailgate and push home till it latches.
Don't wait too long after you've stopped the tailgate otherwise it will come out of failsafe and your manual push will trigger a power close which is a bit risky with your hands between the tailgate and van. That's why I put the standoff in first rather than trying to wiggle it into the gap.
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