Real world experience?

I have rarely ever driven with my tailgate down, maybe 5 times for a short distance only. I am wondering for those who do this often, do you ever worry about rock chips and does it harm the hinges or cables in any way? I am so paranoid about getting a rock chip.

 

I can't answer your concern on the topic of rock chips, but I have read that if there isn't something weighting the tailgate down (such as a load) that it can have a tendency to want to lift or raise up over larger bumps due to the lift-assist mechanism always "lifting" on the tailgate. I have read of some claiming that that can lead to the tailgate coming out of it's hinge on the passenger side when at a specific angle that is there for the purpose of a "toolless" removal feature unless a hose clamp is in place to prevent this form occurring. There are also specialty products that perform the same functionality.

Back to the subject of rock chips, after witnessing a stone getting flung from one of my front tires and it's trajectory combined with my forward motion conspiring to have it land on my windscreen, I would probably automatically just assume that motoring around with your tailgate lowered will inevitably increase the potential for rock chips.

 

Thanks for the quick response, you logic makes sense for sure.

 

Thanks...