For retrofitting! An electric tailgate for your car?

Recently updated on July 27, 2022 at 01:14 am

The term electric tailgate usually refers to a function that enables the car's tailgate to be opened or unlocked electronically. The tailgate opens at the push of a button and the driver saves having to unlock it mechanically with the car key. In the case of more expensive models in particular, the electric tailgate is even standard in many cars these days. On the other hand, it is optionally available for a VW Touran, an Opel Insignia or a Skoda Karoq. So it's no longer just an option for luxury class vehicles. However, if it is missing, it may make sense to have it retrofitted or to retrofit it yourself. But not every retrofit variant is possible for every car model.

What does an electric tailgate do?

Probably the best-known function of the electric tailgate is the integration of the tailgate into a central locking system. The vehicle doors and tailgate are locked when the car is parked by pressing a button on the car key fob. The function is used to prevent theft. You save yourself the mechanical locking and it is no longer necessary to check the individual doors and the tailgate after leaving the vehicle.

you can do that if there is a defect

There is usually a switch inside the car that you can use to open the tailgate at the push of a button from the driver's seat. This is particularly useful when loading with two or three people. You can sit comfortably in the car and open the trunk at the exact moment when your colleague arrives with the load. It is no longer necessary to leave the load on the dirty street floor while you unlock the trunk. Even more practical is a sensor-activated, automatically opening tailgate. With it, you can also carry out loading activities alone without placing the load on the floor and you do not have to leave the trunk open while you fetch the load.

Which possibilities of implementation are there?

But what do you have to install in your car to enable the automatic opening of the tailgate if the option is not available as standard? There are various options here, but not every variant is possible with every car model. Find out in advance whether the product you have chosen will actually fit in your car before you buy an installation kit, or have the adjustment carried out in a workshop by experienced professionals. One implementation option is to install a small motor at the top of the tailgate that rotates it at the hinge.

However, this requires a lot of strength. If your car has a heavy or stiff tailgate, it may be necessary to install two motors or, even better, to use a different system. A spindle drive is usually installed, which has the advantage of running particularly quietly. A push rod with pneumatics or hydraulics can use the leverage to push open the tailgate from below. It is installed on the side of your trunk. Another possibility are tension springs or gas springs, which are mounted on both sides of the tailgate.

"Easy Open" or "virtual pedal"

In order to be able to retrofit an electric tailgate, we find the variant with the sensor-controlled module to be the best. Such a retrofit set enables the luggage compartment lid to be opened with a foot gesture. It is also often called "Easy Open" or "Virtual Pedal". The sensor enables wireless communication between the vehicle and the key, so the boot lid is automatically unlocked with a simple foot gesture. The built-in keyless access sensor recognizes the driver and foot movement signals to an antenna in the rear bumper that the trunk should open. In terms of price, one moves "without installation" at approx. 450 € for such a system.

Installation better only in a specialist workshop

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