Uprated Tailgate Struts

[surf-report]

The struts from the shop were a doddle to change, taking a couple of minutes each side. The difference between Cali ones and standard is significant and takes quite a bit of extra effort to close the door. Like @Polzeylad I have the bike rack fitted and this makes all the difference

 

[Fish]

Off hand anyone one know the weight of said bike rack?

14kg

 

[BognorMotors]

Just replace one at a time. You'll probably find one is enough, and cheaper too

 

[BiTurbo]

I've fitted SGS up rated ones.... £68 the pair and they are superb.

 

[former member]

Off hand anyone one know the weight of said bike rack?

14kg

Did you answer your own question?!

 

[MrParsnips]

I have a skyline roof, anybody know if I could fit 4 adult bikes to this rack and open the tailgate without the handle bars clashing with the roof?
Modern handlebars can be quite wide Up to 800mm

 

[BiTurbo]

I have a skyline roof, anybody know if I could fit 4 adult bikes to this rack and open the tailgate without the handle bars clashing with the roof?
Modern handlebars can be quite wide Up to 800mm

The bikes shouldn't get anywhere near your roof, up or down. But make sure you have unrated the gas struts. Think there is some in the forum shop.

 

[Tomahawk chop]

I have a skyline roof, anybody know if I could fit 4 adult bikes to this rack and open the tailgate without the handle bars clashing with the roof?
Modern handlebars can be quite wide Up to 800mm

Yep I have skyline roof and have used rack with 2 hybrids on (see pic )and opens fine no contact with roof at all , up or down

 

[gmaster]

A word of warning to anyone fitting new gas struts.......Make sure someone is holding the tailgate when you pull the first strut off!!! I had the tailgate open above my head and removed the first of the gas struts with a little pull. The result was me taking the full weight of the rapidly falling tailgate to the temple!

Seems obvious now, but at the time I assumed that one strut would take the weight of the tailgate!

 

[superflyguy]

@MrParsnips You are recommended not to open the Tailgate with bikes on the rack.

 

[superflyguy]

I fitted SGS stronger struts on mine following fitting the bike rack and ill be buggered if i can get the little metal circling fitted onto the bottom ball attachment!!

I also have these, I don't think they looked as tidy as my old vw ones, I had the same issue with the circlip, but found I had to remove the clip fully and refit once the strut was in place.

 

[Wongo]

SGS good kit and made in U.K.

 

[MrParsnips]

@MrParsnips You are recommended not to open the Tailgate with bikes on the rack.

So the gas strut upgrade is just to hold the weight of the rack then?

 

[Davenjo]

Yes, uprated struts to cope with the weight of the rack - not the bikes - given that the force required to close the tailgate is nothing like the weight of up to 4 bikes on the rack I suspect they would not be able to hold the tailgate open with multiple bikes on there.

I've never tried with bikes on (mainly because if I try to lift the pop top with the tailgate open the bike rack comes into contact with the trim/seal on the back edge of the roof - no problems opening tailgate once roof is up - we just make sure the tailgate is closed before opening/closing the roof - see first photo below) but am pretty sure that my bikes would come into contact with the raised roof if I opened the tailgate with them still on there - might just get away with it if I didn't use the position closest to the van and twisted the handlebars parallel with the frame??

 

[superflyguy]

What @Davenjo said

 

[MrParsnips]

This is very useful info thanks guys

 

[Davenjo]

I've just loaded up ready for a weekend away - with 1 bike on I can still open the tailgate and it will stay open - with 2 bikes the tailgate is hard to open and closes as soon as you let go - I have the 1200n struts. Also, there is no way I could open my tailgate with the roof up as, even down, the handlebars are only about 10mm from the roof.

 

[B19DRG]

hi does anyone have a part number for the uprated tail gate struts from a California as had my tailgate lined Etc and it’s a bit heavy ! Cheers , Dan

 

[spook]

hi does anyone have a part number for the uprated tail gate struts from a California as had my tailgate lined Etc and it’s a bit heavy ! Cheers , Dan

VW Transporter T6 Caravelle Uprated Bike Rack Gas Strut with a 2 year warranty and new fixings. Replaces part number(s) 7E0827550D

 

[spook]

Gas Struts, Tailgate/Boot Struts, Jacks & Presses | SGS Engineering