Rear door gas strut question

[Robert_S]

Our Cali (2018 T6) was in for its first service recently and I asked for a check to be done on the rear door gas struts as they don't fully lift open the door, it needs a shove up to open the last few inches. I was told this is normal as the rear door is meant to open to about 45 degrees to allow easy access to the chair storage - final opening being a manual shove up. Seems a bit odd to me - the rear door gets opened not just to remove the chairs and I've been unable to find any reference to the limited opening in the handbook. Any feedback on how far other Cali owners rear door opens under strut power would be appreciated, please.

 

[andyinluton]

Sounds as if yours are about right.
If you made them stiffer you will have fun trying to shut the boot if you take the chairs out on a hot day.

 

[ThomasHJ]

On the T5.1, what you describe is indeed the case. So I'm sure it's the same on the T6 and all is as it should be. A featrure, not a bug.

 

[Kevintube1979]

Don't get me started on this one,although its a different issue but related to the gas struts....my tailgate is un-usable with even just the bare bike rack on (VW one),have been since new...

I cant use the tailgate for fear of it cashing down on me..

I have to pack the van accordingly..

 

[Vagophile]

I cant use the tailgate for fear of it cashing down on me..

Get the strut pressure checked.

 

[Kevintube1979]

Get the strut pressure checked.

Yes the van is due its first service shortly so I will mention the gas strut problem...I wont hold my breath though

 

[Campervanner]

Ours had to be replaced (for stronger version?) soon after we had it, under warranty. T6. Can't remember but something to do with not being strong enough..pressure?! Wouldn't lift up properly. Sorry bit vague. Anyway better since....

 

[Jabberwocky]

My experience with two different T6's Oceans tells me that winter and summer makes a big difference in the performance of the gas struts.
In winter they are sluggish but in summer you need to be careful so they don't take your head off in some circumstances! (Especially if you have the uprated struts you get with the bike rack.)
Essentially the lower the load in/on the tailgate the more the struts will perform a complete tailgate lift with out help.
So no chairs, bike rack or bikes and the struts perform their best in the summer.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, i.e. with chairs, bike rack and bikes loaded the struts perform their worst in the winter. (With bikes loaded the struts will not lift the tailgate - I always take bikes off before trying to open tailgate.)

 

[Kevintube1979]

My experience with two different T6's Oceans tells me that winter and summer makes a big difference in the performance of the gas struts.
In winter they are sluggish but in summer you need to be careful so they don't take your head off in some circumstances! (Especially if you have the uprated struts you get with the bike rack.)
Essentially the lower the load in/on the tailgate the more the struts will perform a complete tailgate lift with out help.
So no chairs, bike rack or bikes and the struts perform their best in the summer.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, i.e. with chairs, bike rack and bikes loaded the struts perform their worst in the winter. (With bikes loaded the struts will not lift the tailgate - I always take bikes off before trying to open tailgate.)

Yes I've heard this before about the temperature affecting the performance you would think they would have come up with a solution!

 

[Jabberwocky]

Yes I've heard this before about the temperature affecting the performance you would think they would have come up with a solution!

Indeed but VW are not on their own. I used to have a BMW Z4 - they have a large heavy "Clamshell" bonnet with two gas struts. I know this is the reverse of the Cali situation but In summer you only needed one hand to close the bonnet in winter you needed two strong arms!

 

[ThomasHJ]

Yes I've heard this before about the temperature affecting the performance you would think they would have come up with a solution!

I think in this case you are expecting a little bit too much. The temperature having an effect on the working of gas struts is a normal, scientific occurence. Don't blame VW, or any other car manufacturer for that matter, blame the universe.

 

[Kevintube1979]

I think in this case you are expecting a little bit too much. The temperature having an effect on the working of gas struts is a normal, scientific occurence. Don't blame VW, or any other car manufacturer for that matter, blame the universe.

Yes I understand that but perhaps a locking mechanism on the struts to stop the tailgate closing may be an easy fix?

 

[Kevintube1979]

Yes I understand that but perhaps a locking mechanism on the struts to stop the tailgate closing may be an easy fix?

The struts are quite simply not fit for purpose which on such an expensive vehicle or any vehicle for that matter is not acceptable..

 

[andyinluton]

The struts are quite simply not fit for purpose which on such an expensive vehicle or any vehicle for that matter is not acceptable..

If it won't stay up with an empty bike rack & only the chairs in tailgate, you have either got the wrong struts or faulty struts. Have VW inspected them?

The original poster was complaining about having to push it up the last bit, not about it falling down.

 

[Dr-Snickers]

My struts ‘failed’ and the tail shut on me when I was in the boot behind the rear bench, fitting some seat covers. Phone lying tantalisingly out of reach on the sink unit and no chance of anyone inside the house coming to my rescue. Had to clamber over the back seats and hurtled in to the living area to get back out .

Was worried they were faulty but then came across advice that you should ‘pump’ the struts in cold weather as the pressure can drop. I did this and they immediately came back and held it up.

Worth a try.

 

[Kevintube1979]

If it won't stay up with an empty bike rack & only the chairs in tailgate, you have either got the wrong struts or faulty struts. Have VW inspected them?

The original poster was complaining about having to push it up the last bit, not about it falling down.

Yes im aware of that but i was just stating that I also had an issue with struts albeit a different issue,as mentioned when the van goes in for its first service I shall mention it to them but I think its a case of "its just the way they are" will be the answer

 

[Ocean Spirit]

Mine were changed under warranty on my T6 (2017) jus a couple of months ago. The one thing they shouldn't do is allow the tailgate to come down if it's high enough to stand underneath it (assuming you haven't loaded up a bike rack of course). I can't honestly remember if I had to give mine a shove to get it fully open but what happens after that is surely most important.

 

[Vagophile]

Yes I understand that but perhaps a locking mechanism on the struts to stop the tailgate closing may be an easy fix?

Somewhere on the forum is a post about a strut brace. It is essentially a tube the same length as the strut plunger with a full length longitudinal slot and bevelled ends. It is slotted over the strut to prevent it from sliding back.

 

[Campervanner]

I think you just need to get the right struts, and as Jabberwocky says, accept that they will be a bit livelier depending on weight carrying and time of year. I much prefer door flying up rather than crashing down on me like it did at first. Ours were changed. Think we now have those that can take bike rack. But also agree you do have to push up that last bit when working properly.

 

[WelshGas]

The California comes with the uprated Gas struts and they should each be marked 1250N. This is to cope with the heavier tailgate, chairs, blind and double glazing.
There are no stronger gas struts to cope with the addition of a tailgate bike rack, whether loaded or not with bicycles.
Struts strong enough to deal with that would probably damage the strut mounting points.

 

[Kevintube1979]

The California comes with the uprated Gas struts and they should each be marked 1250N. This is to cope with the heavier tailgate, chairs, blind and double glazing.
There are no stronger gas struts to cope with the addition of a tailgate bike rack, whether loaded or not with bicycles.
Struts strong enough to deal with that would probably damage the strut mounting points.

Yes I have the 1250N struts,I think once they are checked at the next service they should be replaced as they are quite obviously faulty (if they can replicate the issue,thats the worry that in a warm workshop they will be fine) I had a VW Sharan for 15 years previous to the California,that had a large heavy tailgate and never had an issue with temperature changes etc.

 

[andyinluton]

I bet your Sharon didn't have removable chairs in the tailgate though?
The struts need to be strong enough to hold the lid open on a cold day with chairs in and an empty bike rack on it, but weak enough that you can still shut it with no chairs & no bike rack in the middle of summer. The varying load makes it a difficult compromise.

 

[Robert_S]

Many thanks to all that offered feedback, I'm reassured that mine seem to be working as intended, I'll check out the strut rating per Welshgas' info. Sorry to hear of trouble others have had with crashing tailgates and hope you get sorted satisfactorily.

 

[WelshGas]

Anyone interested.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/search/182411/?q=Tailgate+prop&o=relevance

 

[Calimili]

I think in this case you are expecting a little bit too much. The temperature having an effect on the working of gas struts is a normal, scientific occurence. Don't blame VW, or any other car manufacturer for that matter, blame the universe.

Luckily global warming should help reduce this issue.
.
Fine, I'll get my coat.