2017 tailgate has factory built-in assist?

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axhoaxho

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Recently got my 2017 RAM 1500 Rebel Black, like it very much.

I have owned other trucks, yet never had a tailgate that was so light to open/close. On our RAM, even my wife could use one hand (without effort) to hold the tailgate, when the tailgate drops down and goes up.

It is so light to open/close, which makes me wonder if RAM has some kind of built-in assist on the tailgate?

Any other 2017 RAM 1500 owners feel the same?

Regards,
 

Dodge This

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Recently got my 2017 RAM 1500 Rebel Black, like it very much.

I have owned other trucks, yet never had a tailgate that was so light to open/close. On our RAM, even my wife could use one hand (without effort) to hold the tailgate, when the tailgate drops down and goes up.

It is so light to open/close, which makes me wonder if RAM has some kind of built-in assist on the tailgate?

Any other 2017 RAM 1500 owners feel the same?

Regards,

I just got my 2017 1500 Sport a couple of weeks ago and it didn't come with anything like that. I had to install the Dee Zee tailgate assist.
 

JB1

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My 2017 is real easy to lower the tailgate, feels like it only weighs 10lbs.
 
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axhoaxho

axhoaxho

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I am used to the heavy tailgates like on my old trucks; yet my wife also drives them and she appreciates the tailgate assist on the 2017 RAM.

Happy wife, happy life. :)
 

quietpeen

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If the 2017 has a torsion bar I would assume that only makes it easier to lift ....I don’t think it would keep the tailgate from slamming down if you let it go.
 

Danno

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They probably made it out of lighter material to meet the MPG.
 

JPT

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If the 2017 has a torsion bar I would assume that only makes it easier to lift ....I don’t think it would keep the tailgate from slamming down if you let it go.

I went from a 2003 3rd gen ram to this 2015 ram. The 2015 tail gate is either 10lbs or there has to be something assisting both letting it down and back up (like a torsion bar someone else suggested). You are right, it isn’t strong enough to let it slowly drop. My 3rd gen even with my size and strength, I would have to fight it down before my tailgate assist.

I can use one had to lower and raise 2015. I still did install a tailgate assist anyways so I can let it drop on it’s own.
 

Salsa

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My 17 1500 Express is fery light. My wife can let it down and lift it back up no problem. The 2000 Ahd 2500 I had seemed like the tailgate was 100 lbs compared to the 2017.
 

HemiStarPower

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I noticed in my 2013 it was heavy, my 2017 is so light my wife can do it with one hand. It’s definitely assisted going up, not down.


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tdog

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Mid 2016, ram made a change to the torsion rod in the tailgate from a 8mm diameter to a 10mm diameter. Makes a huge difference!


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