Don’t use a Stainless Steel Tailgate Air Vent Lock Latch Standoff for T4/T5/T6 on a T6.1

[Snowy Hills]

I’ve just managed to jam one of these in my T6.1 Coast tailgate lock and have just finished cutting it off…… While this forum often has great advice on it of how to do things here a cautionary post of something to avoid!

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I realise this is an old post and you resolved it but I was considering one of these and checked out how to alive the issue if it occurred and found this video.
It may help others in the future.

 

[acer]

If you are going somewhere hot, sleep downstairs and have the top bunk being used, I think you really need the back door open. I bought the wrong version for my van and improvised a method of leaving the back door open a little bit by using some paracord and the pull down strap on the back door. But, if you want to be more secure the air safe is a good option
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/air-safe.57317/

 

[Tobbe_E]

I just had one get stuck in my 6.1 electric helper tailgate lock. I tried what he does in the video above, but had no luck. However, I found an easier option than using a power tool to cut the steel itself.

I removed the plastic covers surrounding the locking mechanism.

The top layer can be pried off starting from the inside using your fingers - with a bit of force, it pops off. The second layer of plastic is held in place by four Phillips head screws. It's very easy to remove: just unscrew them and lift off the entire plastic piece. Once that's done, the locking mechanism is fully exposed, and the tailgate latch is super easy to remove.

After that, just reverse the process to put everything back together. Be mindful of the soft rubber trim and make sure it goes back exactly as it was when you removed it.

I am not putting that thing it there again... was a bit nervous before I figured out how to get it out...