Tailgate Especially Hard To Shut In The Cold

[ColoradoAV]

Obviously the tailgate needs a little shove to get it to latch. It closes fine in warm weather. Then comes the cold. I'm sure that people who live in colder climates would agree that when it gets cold and dry, the tailgate is very hard to close. It closes pretty well when it's cold BUT when there's moisture in the air. But of course it's cold and dry here in CO a lot.

My question is: is there a way to moisten the seal between the tailgate and panel 3 (because it gets very stiff) or just some other remedy to get it to shut more easily in the cold? Any input would be appreciated.

(I couldn't really find any topics similar to this but if there is feel free to move this topic ).

 

[wrchism]

ColoradoAV . .

Rubber gets stiff when it's cold. Bought my Av in December and had the tailgate drop twice before I figured out that it needed a really good slam. Hasn't been so hard to get closed in the summer . . . but winter is on the way again!

I don't think that there's anything to put on the seal to make it easier . . it's compressing the seal that gets harder and no 'lubricant' will make compressing it easier.

If it's really too hard, it can be adjusted, but that just increases the leak potential . . . so I'd say just slam it, and yep . . . a bit harder in the winter. (check both ends and / or lock it to be sure it's latched too).

 

[ColoradoAV]

ColoradoAV . .

Rubber gets stiff when it's cold. ? Bought my Av ?in December and had the tailgate drop twice before I figured out that it needed a really good slam. ?Hasn't been so hard to get closed in the summer . . . but winter is on the way again!

I don't think that there's anything to put on the seal to make it easier . . it's compressing the seal that gets harder and no 'lubricant' will make compressing it easier.

If it's really too hard, it can be adjusted, but that just increases the leak potential . . . so I'd say just slam it, and yep . . . a bit harder in the winter. ?(check both ends and / or lock it to be sure it's latched too).

Thanks, wrchism. When we were up at our cabin last Sunday, I slammed the tailgate at least 15 times before it would even latch! When it did "latch," only one side latched and it couldn't be locked. So I started over again, slammed it a few more times and it wouldn't latch. So when it finally did "latch,'' only one side latched again and that is the way we came home with it. We're probably lucky it didn't fly down in the middle of 285! I guess in these cases, I could always take off panel 3 to get it latched.

 

[ygmn]

Put some 303 or similar on them..or go to a BMW dealer and buy some GUMMI PHLEGE...it comes in a large toothpaste looking tube and designed for seals ...good stuff