7 Best Truck Tailgate Assist Kits For Easy Loading Of Heavy Harvests

Loading a truck bed with heavy crates of root vegetables or bags of feed shouldn’t involve fighting a heavy, slamming tailgate. A quality tailgate assist kit turns a cumbersome, gravity-fed drop into a smooth, controlled motion that saves both fingers and hardware. These kits transform the daily grind of harvest season by providing reliable, hands-free operation when hands are already full.

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Dee Zee Tailgate Assist: The Best Overall Choice

The Dee Zee system stands as the industry benchmark for consistent performance and ease of installation. Its design utilizes a single-strut setup that mounts easily to existing factory hardware, providing a smooth descent every time the gate is released. Because the kit is engineered specifically for vehicle-specific fitment, it maintains a clean, factory-like aesthetic under the bed rail.

For the hobby farmer who wants a “set it and forget it” solution, this is the definitive choice. It handles the daily cycle of opening and closing with impressive durability, rarely showing signs of seal fatigue even during dusty harvest months. If reliability and simple installation rank as the top priorities, skip the secondary options and equip the truck with this kit.

Stabilus EZDown: Top Pick for Heavy-Duty Use

Stabilus is a long-standing name in the world of gas spring technology, and their EZDown kit reflects that engineering pedigree. These struts are built to handle the constant, repetitive stress of heavy-duty usage without losing the damping force required to lower a tailgate softly. When the truck bed is frequently loaded with heavy timber or wet, soil-laden crates, the extra robust seals in this kit provide a noticeable advantage.

Expect a slightly stiffer resistance when raising the tailgate compared to standard dampers, as these are tuned for high-load capacity. This minor tradeoff is well worth it for the peace of mind that the strut won’t blow a seal mid-season. For those running older trucks that see serious work, this is the most capable option available.

Sachs EZ Down: The Best Value for Your Money

Sachs delivers a high-quality damping experience without the premium price tag associated with more aggressively marketed brands. The internal valving allows for a consistent, dampened drop speed, effectively preventing the jarring slam that can damage tailgate latches over time. While it lacks some of the heavy-duty reinforcements found in more expensive kits, it performs perfectly for the light-to-moderate work typical of most hobby farms.

Investing in this kit makes sense for the farmer looking to upgrade multiple vehicles or keep overhead costs low. It provides the essential function of controlled descent without unnecessary extras. When budget-conscious efficiency is the goal, the Sachs kit provides the best balance of performance and price.

Go OPE Ram Tailgate Assist: Built for Dodge

Dodge trucks present unique challenges for aftermarket upgrades due to their specific cable and latch geometries. The Go OPE Ram kit is tailored precisely to these requirements, ensuring that the mounting points align perfectly with factory holes. It avoids the common issue of binding or misalignment that often plagues universal-fit kits when installed on Ram platforms.

This kit is the only choice for a Ram owner who values precision over generic compatibility. It operates with a predictable smoothness that matches the heavy-duty nature of Dodge tailgates. Choosing this model eliminates the trial-and-error often associated with fitting universal parts onto specific truck models.

Lift Supports Depot: The Specialist’s Choice

When standard kits won’t fit because of custom truck beds or specific modifications, Lift Supports Depot is the go-to source. They focus on the nuance of gas spring pressure and stroke length, offering options that can be tuned to the specific weight of a tailgate. This is not a “one-size-fits-all” solution, but rather a surgical approach to hardware upgrades.

This kit is ideal for the farmer who has customized their truck or deals with unusual weight distributions. Their technical support is focused on ensuring the hardware actually works, rather than just selling units. For those who need a custom-fit solution for a non-standard setup, this is the most reliable path.

Red Hound Auto Assist: Great Budget-Friendly Kit

The Red Hound Auto kit provides a straightforward, no-frills solution that gets the job done at a very accessible price point. It lacks the sophisticated dual-valve damping of high-end models, but it does exactly what it promises: it stops the tailgate from slamming. The hardware is surprisingly robust, offering decent corrosion resistance for outdoor exposure.

This is the perfect kit for a secondary farm truck that sees only intermittent use. While it may not offer the same longevity as premium kits under extreme conditions, the ease of replacement makes it a logical economic choice. Keep a spare in the shop, and the truck will never be without a functional assist.

Rough Country Assist: A Rugged, Reliable Option

Rough Country is well-regarded for producing gear meant for trail-heavy environments, and their tailgate assist follows suit. It is built with thicker brackets and a slightly more aggressive dampening curve to ensure the tailgate doesn’t “float” during the descent. The finish on the mounting brackets is particularly resistant to the grit, mud, and chemicals common on a working farm.

This kit is designed for the farmer who treats their truck like a tool rather than a showpiece. It holds up exceptionally well to vibrations, washboard roads, and the heavy handling of gear. If the truck spends more time in the field than on the highway, the Rough Country kit offers the best long-term resilience.

Choosing the Right Assist for Your Farm Truck

Selecting the right kit requires balancing the weight of the tailgate with the intensity of the work. Consider these three factors before purchasing:

• Load Frequency: If the tailgate is opened 20 times a day, prioritize durability over price.
• Climate Conditions: Cold temperatures stiffen gas springs; choose high-quality seals if the farm experiences freezing winters.
• Fitment: Always verify if the kit requires drilling; factory-hole utilization is superior to avoid rust points.

Avoid the temptation to buy the cheapest universal kit on the market, as these often fail within a few months of active farming. A slightly higher initial investment usually translates into fewer maintenance headaches during the middle of harvest season. Focus on kits that offer vehicle-specific engineering to ensure the geometry is correct from day one.

How to Install a Tailgate Assist in 30 Minutes

The process is generally straightforward, requiring only a set of basic hand tools and a bit of patience. Most kits utilize existing tailgate hardware, which means the installation is largely a matter of removing a factory bolt and replacing it with the strut-mounting stud. Start by bracing the tailgate; removing both cables at once can cause it to drop unexpectedly and damage the hinges.

1. Loosen the tailgate cable support and install the new mounting bracket per the kit instructions.
2. Attach the strut to the lower mounting point, ensuring the orientation matches the guide.
3. Perform a “slow-drop” test by holding the gate with one hand while letting it descend; if it slams, double-check the connection points.

Always double-check that the strut doesn’t rub against the truck box when the tailgate is in the closed position. A well-installed kit should operate silently with no metal-on-metal contact. Proper alignment is the single most important factor for the longevity of the kit.

Tailgate Assist Maintenance and Safety Checks

Even the best kits require a quick inspection at the start of each season. Wipe the exposed strut shaft with a clean, dry cloth to remove road grime and dust that can score the seals and cause a leak. Lubricating the hinges of the tailgate itself is equally important, as a sticky hinge puts undue strain on the gas strut, leading to premature failure.

Check the tightness of the mounting bolts periodically, especially after traveling on bumpy terrain. If the tailgate begins to descend rapidly, it is an early sign that the internal gas pressure is waning and the strut needs replacement. Keeping the pivot points clean and the hardware secure ensures the system will continue to save energy and protect the tailgate for many harvests to come.

Equipping a farm truck with a tailgate assist kit is a simple, high-impact modification that drastically improves daily efficiency. By selecting the right hardware for specific work conditions and performing basic maintenance, the burden of heavy loading is significantly reduced. Invest in a reliable system now to streamline the workload during the most demanding times of the farming year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a truck tailgate assist kit?

A truck tailgate assist kit is a mechanical damping system that controls the drop rate of your pickup tailgate to prevent it from slamming down. Most kits consist of a gas-charged hydraulic strut, vehicle-specific mounting brackets, and installation hardware. They attach between the truck bed pillar and the tailgate, enabling safe, hands-free lowering even if your hands are full.

What does a tailgate assist shock do when loading heavy cargo?

Tailgate assist shocks safely slow the descent of the tailgate to eliminate jarring impacts that can damage hinges and cables during loading operations. When you open the latch with an armful of produce, pumpkins, or grain sacks, the damper absorbs the weight smoothly. This steady drop reduces structural stress on factory support cables and prevents the metal gate from bouncing or twisting off balance.

How do you install a truck tailgate assist kit?

Installing a truck tailgate assist kit involves mounting a bracket to the truck bed sidewall, attaching a ball mount to the tailgate, and snapping the damper on. You typically need basic hand tools like a T50 Torx bit, an Allen wrench, and a socket set. Most bolt-on designs use existing factory holes on the driver side, requiring no drilling into your truck’s sheet metal.

How long does it take to install a tailgate assist shock?

Mounting a tailgate assist shock usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes for a beginner using simple hand tools. Installation times stay short because quality aftermarket kits bolt directly into existing factory holes on your truck bed and tailgate. If you need to remove a tail light or insert a blind nut-cert, budget an extra 10 minutes to finish the job properly.

Which is better, a single tailgate damper or a dual tailgate assist kit?

Single tailgate dampers provide plenty of control for everyday use, while dual tailgate assist kits offer superior support for heavy, steel tailgates carrying cargo. A single driver-side strut handles standard factory tailgates on light-duty trucks easily. However, heavy commercial tailgates or older full-size farm trucks benefit from dual-side kits, which balance dampening pressure evenly across both hinges during harvest work.

How much does a truck tailgate assist kit cost?

Quality truck tailgate assist kits generally cost between $25 and $45 for a standard single-strut setup. Premium heavy-duty options and dual-strut systems made for commercial or older full-size pickups run between $50 and $90. Replacement struts alone usually sell for $15 to $25 if your brackets are already installed.

Why is my truck tailgate assist shock binding or sticking when closing?

Piston binding or sticking usually occurs when the mounting brackets are misaligned or the ball stud nuts are overtightened. Check whether the factory support cable catches between the strut cylinder and the truck bed during closure, as this is the most common issue. To fix sticking, loosen the bracket slightly, adjust the angle so the piston travels freely, and apply dry silicone spray along the shaft.

Is a truck tailgate assist kit worth it for farm and harvest work?

Investing in a tailgate assist kit is well worth it for farm work because it prevents injuries and reduces fatigue during frequent loading. Farm chores often require one-handed tailgate operation while holding produce bins, toolboxes, or feed bags. Controlling the descent protects farm workers from pinched fingers, saves factory tailgate cables from snapping under shock loads, and preserves the tailgate latch assembly across seasons.