Closing the tailgate - heavy & cumbersome

[Stem]

I have a gen2 R1T - the tailgate drops nice and slow when released as expected - to close the tailgate, lifting it up is heavy and cumbersome - is this by design, or is there a mechanism that isn't working allowing for a smoother, easier close?

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[ElGuano]

It's normal. There isn't any powered lift gate or pneumatic assist mechanism or anything like that.

 

[Ceejay]

I also find it very difficult to lift up and close the tail gate. It's like there is some sort of dampened when you get it half closed

 

[DD4ST]

Besides the weight of the tailgate, the design probably adds some just based on physics. Unlike many trucks the Rivian tailgate uses extended hinges when down to add length to the bed. This feature was pointed out in an early review video that contrasted it with the likes of Ford and Chevy. While making the truck bed more usable, this puts the main tailgate weight on a lever and will increase the apparent weight of the tailgate when lifting it up.

 

[beatle]

It's a very unsatisfying, hollow feeling tailgate. I closed the tailgate on my previous 2007 Ridgeline a week ago and it was still very solid feeling.

The Rivian also has a tailgate cap that smoothly flows into the line of the tailgate panel which looks nice and probably helps with aero, but it also means you can't get much purchase on the tailgate since nothing sticks out even a bit.

To make it easier, I press one hand into the middle of one of the tailgate suspension cables on either side while lifting the tailgate with my other hand. This reduces the need for lifting since the cable is effectively pulling the tailgate up when you press on it.

 

[Noplacelikeloam]

This is called exercise. Embrace it.

 

[VandalSibs]

I've not owned any trucks other than my R1T, but I have had to work with many of them. This is not the heaviest tailgate out there, by far.

Even then, just for safety I always close mine with both hands to make life easier.

 

[Trinculo73]

The tailgate on my 2023 Gen 1 R1T hasn't been any more difficult to close than on either if the F150s I drove previous to this, although it's a bit heavier than the one on my 2001 Tacoma probably (although I'm not sure my memory from that far back is reliable }

 

[BMCORN]

It's normal. There isn't any powered lift gate or pneumatic assist mechanism or anything like that.

How is there not a 3rd party company that has designed an automatic hydraulic close feature for the R1T tailgate. Even if it was $2-3k, people would pay it. There's certain things we expect on a $100k+ truck.

 

[ElGuano]

How is there not a 3rd party company that has designed an automatic hydraulic close feature for the R1T tailgate. Even if it was $2-3k, people would pay it. There's certain things we expect on a $100k+ truck.

This being my first truck, I wasn't even aware that powered tailgate was a thing (or all manner of other fancy things like grab handles, bumper-cutout footsteps or step-stool tailgates!

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

How is there not a 3rd party company that has designed an automatic hydraulic close feature for the R1T tailgate. Even if it was $2-3k, people would pay it. There's certain things we expect on a $100k+ truck.

Because it’s a potential market that is too small to build a viable business case on. Besides is not that big of a “problem”. Both hands, with palms on edge where the metal is more rigid, lift and send it home. Done. Palms to avoid dents. You already have hydraulic power: the blood in your veins and muscles. Any additional powered devices to do the job are just extra things to go wrong, consume more power (from the 12V, which is known to be a weak point) and create unnecessary cost.

 

[Thedude]

It’s a one hand lift and slam, not exactly hard. Most of my trucks have been on par with effort required, more than one has had a heavier and bulkier tailgate.

 

[portdirect]

My only critique of the tailgate is that it doesn't have a particularly good place to lift/slam from - a handle/clear supported point would be fantastic in gen3. The thinness of the metal used for the skin makes me worried that one day I'll dent it with my software engineer super muscle arms.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

My only critique of the tailgate is that it doesn't have a particularly good place to lift/slam from - a handle/clear supported point would be fantastic in gen3. The thinness of the metal used for the skin makes me worried that one day I'll dent it with my software engineer super muscle arms.

Yep. A more reinforced and obvious “handle” would be an improvement. Not powered gadgetry.

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