T6 tail gate struts


Bought from this company for my Audi A2 and Golf R32. Good quality, take minutes to fit and they hold the tailgate up easily.
According to the specification only 1200N , so weaker than the standard California gas struts.
Designed to replace the weaker Transporter/Caravelle struts when fitting a Tailgate Bike Rack. :thumb
 
Interesting thread, this am our 2019 Ocean tailgate would not stray even part up, -4C. We have just the chairs and Thule 2 bike rack on, no bikes. Do the struts degrade over time I wondered, what do people think in this? Loathed to change them.
 
Last edited:
Interesting thread, this am our 2019 Ocean tailgate would not stray even part up, -4C. We have just the chairs and Thule 2 bike rack on, no bikes. Do the struts degrade over time I wondered, what do people think in this? Loathed to change them.
It is the cold weather.
 
Yes, its ok down to zero.
Have you got the 1270N rated struts ? That’s what VW recommend for the bike rack and is also what the Ocean comes with nowadays (ours is MY2023). Mine needed a second push to stay up in the cold today, which is the first time have experienced that and this is the first winter with the bike rack. The strut rating is printed on them and will be a 4 digit no. followed by an N.
 
Interesting thread, this am our 2019 Ocean tailgate would not stray even part up, -4C. We have just the chairs and Thule 2 bike rack on, no bikes. Do the struts degrade over time I wondered, what do people think in this? Loathed to change them.
I have the 1250N struts, on my 2010 Cali. In summer the tailgate still lifts up completely with the chairs (I have no bike rack).
In winter, I have to push the tailgate completely open, but that was always the case. Then the tailgate stays up.
The bike rack is extra weight that might affect this.
What is the force rating on your struts?
 
Have you got the 1270N rated struts ? That’s what VW recommend for the bike rack and is also what the Ocean comes with nowadays (ours is MY2023). Mine needed a second push to stay up in the cold today, which is the first time have experienced that and this is the first winter with the bike rack. The strut rating is printed on them and will be a 4 digit no. followed by an
Will check the rating tomorrow
 
Our California came with upgraded struts and in summer/higher temps with no bike rack on its hard to close the tailgate. Fitted bike rack and had two bikes on in europe and in warmer temps it stays up (just about) our bikes are carbon fibre road bikes so very light). Cold Winter in Ireland and the boot does require a little push up to fully open but stays up with rack but no bikes on but not with bikes. The obvious tip is remove one camp chair and it's fine! VW did replace our struts for brand new upgraded struts but to be honest I see no improvement with the new ones. The actual difference in the struts is minimal 1200nm standard and 1270nm upgrade.
bought these https://www.vandalierer.com/produkt/bikebrackets/
 
Our California came with upgraded struts and in summer/higher temps with no bike rack on its hard to close the tailgate. Fitted bike rack and had two bikes on in europe and in warmer temps it stays up (just about) our bikes are carbon fibre road bikes so very light). Cold Winter in Ireland and the boot does require a little push up to fully open but stays up with rack but no bikes on but not with bikes. The obvious tip is remove one camp chair and it's fine! VW did replace our struts for brand new upgraded struts but to be honest I see no improvement with the new ones. The actual difference in the struts is minimal 1200nm standard and 1270nm upgrade.
bought these https://www.vandalierer.com/produkt/bikebrackets/
Well, the difference between mine (1250N) and 1270N is only 20N difference, or 2kgforce.
And in winter, every gas strut will suffer because gas shrinks when colder.
In fact you would need very much stronger struts for the chairs and the bike rack with bikes, but when empty you wouldn't be able to close the boot anymore.
 
Well, the difference between mine (1250N) and 1270N is only 20N difference, or 2kgforce.
And in winter, every gas strut will suffer because gas shrinks when colder.
In fact you would need very much stronger struts for the chairs and the bike rack with bikes, but when empty you wouldn't be able to close the boot anymore.
I have not got round to lookign at what one are rated at yet busy, but interesting the link about sights the T5 cali had stronger struts than T6. I have a decorators pole for the bikes on which works well it just annoying with no bikes. I did find I had a tarp and washing up bowl in with chairs. without those it was better, so it's marginal!
 
VW Californa Gas Struts rated at 1270Nm are the the only ones you need, they have a locking mechanism at the end of travel, and require a push up to lock, SGS Engineering do supply 1250Nm but these are not as good and have no locking mechanism at the end of travel. In the past I have ordered and tried the SGS ones and refitted the originals as they are better.
 
Having just checked the rating in my 2019, they state 1270Nm, today they are ok at 8C. I guess its back to a support of some shape or form as suggested.
 
Hi
Fitted a spare wheel carrier from 50’ Nord onto my 4motion Cali after a burst tyre left me stranded for 4 days in Cornwall last summer - found out Kwik Fit aren’t that Kwik. As I was worried about the extra weight, I bought a spring loaded bar from Gruenthal Mobilkamping which is designed for Cali - works a treat - auto clips into place when you open the tailgate so no severed appendages……
Search for Heckklappenaufsteller VW T5 T6 T6.1 California
Cheers
 

Similar threads

john eagle
Replies
6
Views
2K
Amarillo
Amarillo
Kevintube1979
Replies
3
Views
1K
TripleBee
TripleBee
J
Replies
1
Views
1K
bigmac77
bigmac77
Defender90
Replies
3
Views
959
Defender90
Defender90

VW California Club

Back
Top