Question Tailgate assist

Lucky1 · May 23, 2012

Does anyone know what pound springs (Useing 2 springs, 1 on each side) it would take to lift a 160 pound landscape tailgate. Need short spring about 16 - 18'' long. Don't want garage spring. Thank You

GaryM · May 23, 2012

It's going to depend on where the spring is attached to the tailgate in relation to the hinge point. The further from the hinge, the lighter the spring needs to be. However it does need to be longer/have more travel. Use a scale and measure the down pressure of the gate at the furthest point from the hinge. You'd need a spring with a pull of approx have of that, assuming two springs. If the attach point is halfway to the hinge, the springs need to be twice as strong. It's all in the leverage.

KennyG · May 23, 2012

I was trying to figure out how to do this a few years ago and it got real complex real quick. I bought the Gorilla Lift through Northern Tool. I got it on sale for about $139 if I remember and it's great. I could have spent weeks and still ended up with something that didn't work as well.

Lucky1 · May 24, 2012

GaryM said:
It's going to depend on where the spring is attached to the tailgate in relation to the hinge point. The further from the hinge, the lighter the spring needs to be. However it does need to be longer/have more travel. Use a scale and measure the down pressure of the gate at the furthest point from the hinge. You'd need a spring with a pull of approx have of that, assuming two springs. If the attach point is halfway to the hinge, the springs need to be twice as strong. It's all in the leverage.

I am having a Amish welding shop do this as he rebuilt the tailgate and changed the front so I could open the tailgate on my pickup with the trailer hooked up. He did put the tailgate on a scale and came up with 80 pounds. He figured to go between 8 and 12 inches up the ramp, would two 100 pound springs sound about it, he said something about makeing them adjustable.

Redneck in training · May 25, 2012

Go to junkyard and get torsion stabiliser for the spring. It is space efficient and not as dependent on perfect geometry. It doesn't need to lift the gate all the way up. Once it is lifted to certain angle it is easy to push it over to vertical position.

Lucky1 · May 28, 2012

Does anyone know the pound pull of the spring on a Gator assist on their landscape trailer?

Stever00 · Sep 2, 2012

Lucky1 said:
Does anyone know the pound pull of the spring on a Gator assist on their landscape trailer?

Go here All Trailer Parts, Hydrastar, Dexter Parts, Dexter Axles, Brakes, Electric, Hydraulic, Springs and look under ramp springs. They are 1.5 od and about 13.625 long. I used one on a 4x6 top gate
with 2x2 tubing and mesh steel.

The L bracket is .375 x 3" x 11" cold roll (Cut and bend to suit your trailer.)
shackles are .250 x1" x 3
Eye bolt from Home Depot.

keperkey · May 19, 2019

Reviving an old thread. I am planning a spring assist similar to Stever and came across this thread. If you see this Steve can you post a video in operation. Did you have any trial and error about placement? My brake light is on the last upright and I am concerned about clearance. Plan on ordering the spring soon. Also need to figure out a bracket.

davedj1 · May 20, 2019

All the ones I've ever seen are in a tube on top of the side of the trailer , https://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Lift...ocphy=9004948&hvtargid=pla-571974798697&psc=1, that way length isn't such an issue. Garage door springs are cheap, start with some mid weight ones. Or you could put some like this on the hinges Ramp Spring - 2K Torque for 1-1/2" Shaft - RH Redline Enclosed Trailer Parts RS16933RH

keperkey · May 22, 2019

I can do the garage door spring set up but the short spring similar to the Gatormade trailer makes more sense to me.

Redneck in training · May 22, 2019

My trailer ramp has torsion springs. Ramp Spring - 2K Torque for 1-1/2" Shaft - RH Redline Enclosed Trailer Parts RS16933RH

google ramp or torsion springs. There are many choices.

brewers11 · Jun 2, 2019

I built one simular to Stever00 a few years ago. I used threaded i bolts for fine tuning. The springs were similar to old (1950-1980) style truck hood springs. I'll try to get a picture in the morning. The trick was to raise/lower the gate gently.

brewers11 · Jun 2, 2019

From Subject Received Size
brewers 9:27 PM 1 MB

Stever00 · Jun 18, 2019

Garage door spring is too long and weak. Ok if you want spring running half way across your trailer like the yellow Gator springs. Ive made two of these. One for 12 foot Lone Wolf and last 16 foot Larimore trailer. Last one been on over 5 years. I can raise the gate off the ground with my foot, catch it with my hand and never have to bend over. Adjust your location point by using a chain held temporaily where you want it. Moving the chain hook on the spring and location point will tell you where you need to weld your spring older in order to take weight off gate and not break spring.
I just noticed i have some really nice shoes on in that photo. Lol

4570Man · Jun 18, 2019

Why use a coil spring when a torsion spring is a much more compact option? I know it wouldn’t be a drop in no weld fit but I don’t imagine that’s what you want otherwise you’d buy a gorilla lift.

hawkeye08 · Jun 18, 2019

Toyhauler travel trailers have some nice springs on the back doors..

Stever00 · Jun 18, 2019

That spring cost me $18.50 cents. Gator lift what $160 to $200 ? I worked as machinist and enjoy making things. My neighbor had those Gator lift. Those cables rollers frazzled out in a few years. Lot of over engineered garbage for people with money to burn. Im not rich and rather buy groceries with my yard mowing money.