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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: My other womans a vw. on 10 January 2021, 11:15

Title: Tailgate auto pop kit.
Post by: My other womans a vw. on 10 January 2021, 11:15
Has anybody fitted one of these kits?
Quite like the idea of being able to open the tailgate via the key fob,if your carrying something back to the car.
Looked at 2 American kits-ECS and USP and a kit from VW RETROFIT in the Uk.
Both American kits have mixed reviews,the main problem being how aggressive the tailgate lifts,especially at the last stage of opening,where you can physically feel it shake the car-apparently.
I can’t find any reviews on the Uk kit,but the company selling them seems very highly regarded and looking at the work they’ve done,they know what they’re on about.
I know the tailgate will be harder to close,but are there any other issues that people have had with these kits?
Title: Re: Tailgate auto pop kit.
Post by: SRGTD on 10 January 2021, 11:26
I’ve not got any personal experience of these kits, but I’d always be worried about opening the tailgate when the car’s parked somewhere with restricted ‘headroom’ (e.g. multi storey car park, garage at home etc.) and momentarily forgetting about the restricted height, or a partner opening the tailgate and not considering the potential height issues.

I imagine quite a lot of damage could be caused to the tailgate if it makes contact with an immovable object such as concrete roof beam in a multi storey car park or an up and over garage door, especially if the auto-opening action is quite aggressive during the final stages of opening.
Title: Re: Tailgate auto pop kit.
Post by: My other womans a vw. on 10 January 2021, 12:22
SRGTD,that’s definitely something that’s crossed my mind,not enough to put me off tho.
It’s more wear and tear to the tailgate hinges/locks/catches due to the increased forces put on them and how long will the struts last etc.
Title: Re: Tailgate auto pop kit.
Post by: Phil245 on 10 January 2021, 12:39
I've no experience of the aftermarket kits, but we have an electric tailgate on the Karoq. It is very handy and can be operated by a button on the dashboard, used it a few times on click & collect type jobs!

But as stated above, you do need to give it some thought in confined areas ( garage, car park backed against wall etc). It opens with some force and will damage your paintwork if it contacts anything......!
Title: Re: Tailgate auto pop kit.
Post by: My other womans a vw. on 16 January 2021, 12:33
After a chat with Alex from VW Retrofit,I took the plunge and purchased a tailgate opening kit from him.
Took literally 15 mins to fit (make sure the tailgate is propped) and works great.
It is harder to close,but nothing major.
If you open the tailgate via the VW emblem,be wary-it does come up quite quickly-you don’t want to end up like Biff on Back to the Future 2,where he gets clobbered by the De Loreans gull wing door!
Other that that,it’s a very useful,practical mod.
Title: Re: Tailgate auto pop kit.
Post by: boardlord on 16 January 2021, 18:17
To save anyone else hunting it out.

https://www.vw-retrofit.co.uk/product/golf-mk7-hatchback-boot-pop-up-kit/
Title: Re: Tailgate auto pop kit.
Post by: r600_clubsport on 19 January 2021, 17:00
i bought one of the ECS pop up kit's last year. Installation was easy, but i didn't like the feel of it, felt much harder to close than what i'd read & to be honest, i felt it was going to catapult me when opening it, so took it off.
Title: Re: Tailgate auto pop kit.
Post by: My other womans a vw. on 19 January 2021, 18:00
r600_clubsport,have you seen video of the guy who had the same issues with the ECS kit?
His solution was to have one ECS strut and one standard strut.
The one from VW Retrofit does open faster and is harder to close,nothing like the videos I watched on the ECS kit,but it is a surprise the first time you use it.
Title: Re: Tailgate auto pop kit.
Post by: r600_clubsport on 20 January 2021, 16:10
r600_clubsport,have you seen video of the guy who had the same issues with the ECS kit?
His solution was to have one ECS strut and one standard strut.
The one from VW Retrofit does open faster and is harder to close,nothing like the videos I watched on the ECS kit,but it is a surprise the first time you use it.

yeah, but heard the one side would strain more. I only got it really as due to my disability i thought it may help abit more, but it did make things more alittle arkward. On the inside of my boot is a strap to assist me pulling the bootlid down, so it was pulling the plastic with more strain, so yeah didn't quite work out for myself. Have spoken to motability about putting electric boot opener on my car, but bit involved.