Tailgate Strut vs. Tailgate Support: What Do I Need?

You're at the parking lot, tailgate open, unpacking your gear – and wondering why you don't have a free hand. Because one holds the flap. The other the backpack. And somehow the coffee needs to happen too. Classic van life situation. The solution is either a tailgate strut or a tailgate support – but what's the difference, and which one do you really need? If you drive a VW California, you're not alone with this question. The VW California tailgate strut is one of the most requested topics we get at 040 Parts. So let's clear this up once and for all.

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The Problem: The VW T6 Tailgate Does What It Wants

The standard tailgate on the T6, T6.1, and also the T5 has a key character flaw: it stays open – but only as long as there's no wind. As soon as a breeze comes, you either get a dent in the back of your head or a damaged flap. The gas struts from the factory are okay for a van in flat country with no wind. For a camper standing at the Atlantic or up at a scenic viewpoint? Not really.

Additionally: When you're working under the open tailgate – setting up the kitchen, sorting clothes, taking out the boards – you don't want to check every second if the flap is still standing.

That's the starting point for both products. But they solve the problem differently.

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What Is a Tailgate Strut?

A tailgate strut is a rigid or telescopic rod that you hang between the body and the tailgate. Flap open, hook in the strut, done. The flap stays in a defined position – no matter what the wind does.

Simple. Mechanical. Foolproof.

Advantages of the VW California Tailgate Strut

• No need to trust the gas struts. The strut holds mechanically, not pneumatically.
• More affordable option compared to the full support system.
• Compact to store – takes up barely any space in the van.
• Works even when the original gas struts are already tired – which is not uncommon with older T6 and T5 models.

Disadvantages

• You have to actively remember to hook in the strut. If you flip the tailgate open quickly, it first only holds via the struts – you have to consciously set the strut.
• Only one fixed (or few) positions possible, depending on the construction.

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What Is a Tailgate Support?

A tailgate support replaces or supplements the original gas struts of your van. It ensures that the flap stays in a stable position when opening – without you having to hook anything in or help.

With the camper tailgate support, it's often also about lifting force: Stronger gas dampers open the flap faster and hold it more securely at the top. Some systems also allow you to lock the flap at different angles – practical when space above you is limited, for example in a parking garage or under a canopy.

Advantages of the Tailgate Support

• Hands-free. Flap open, flap stays. No re-grabbing, no hooking in.
• More lifting force = flap opens reliably even against the wind.
• More elegant solution – nothing dangles around, nothing needs to be stored.
• Systems with locking in multiple positions give you more flexibility when setting up your outdoor setup.

Disadvantages

• More involved installation – you replace components on the flap.
• Usually more expensive than a simple strut.
• If the gas damper is defective, it needs to be replaced again.

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Strut or Support – What Fits Your Trip?

Here's the honest answer, no asterisk rating system purchase advice.

Get a VW California tailgate strut if:

• Your original gas struts are still okay, but you don't trust the wind.
• You want a cheap, robust safeguard without major installation.
• You're on short weekend trips and don't constantly open and close the flap.
• You kind of like the tool-on-the-van feel anyway.

Get a tailgate support if:

• You work on the van daily, cook, pack – and don't feel like setting a strut every time.
• Your original struts are already worn out and you're replacing them anyway.
• You value comfort and are willing to invest a bit more for it.
• You often stand at windy spots (coast, mountains, you know).

And yes: Both solutions together make absolute sense for some vans – support for everyday use, strut as a mechanical backup when it's really stormy.

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FAQ: VW California Tailgate Strut

Does a tailgate strut fit T5 and T6? Depends on the product. Many struts are designed for the T6 and T6.1, some also for the T5. Always check the compatibility list before ordering.

Do I need to drill? Usually not with a strut – it's hung in existing mounting points or brackets. With the support, it depends on the system.

**Funktion