Stainless Steel Tailgate Straps

[flatlander]

Anyone tried the tailgate straps available at www.dependable-straps.com?

Had bought a set of straps from VR Straps and have been very happy with them once I ground down the shape edges. Am thinking of a good gift for someone and just wondered if anyone had bought the Dependable Straps and could give some feedback on them.

[mmmikkke]

Haven't tried them but I'm interested in one thing. On my truck (2005 2500HD), one strap is taught but the other one is slack while the tailgate is open. I don't know if the straps are unequal length or if the tailgate strap anchor points are uneven.

 

Any similar experience on your truck?

[flatlander]

[Yes, with the factory cables there was slack in the left side from the day the pickup was new. After I installed the stainless steel straps I have not noticed any slack so suspect the cable lengths are a little different.

[slemmer]

It would be interesting to see if those straps have the same weight stress capacity as the OEM straps.

[dogzapper]

I wasn't able to buy new VRs because Rick is looking for a new machine shop. They ARE beautiful, but I wanted a pair of straps for my new Duramax.

 

After a lot of looking, I bought a pair of really cool heavy-duty straps from a vendor on E-Bay. The item number is 8054917393. The cost was $59.99, plus $5.00 shipping (it actually cost the vendor $6.05 to ship, so it is not a ripoff). I had my straps about four days after ordering and am very happy with them.

 

Below are photos.

 

Steve

 

 

Notice the hex-cut at the bottom of the slot and how it eliminates the need for a spring-flap and two pop-rivets (that shear off regularly). The hex-cut is a very tight fit for the 13mm bolt head. There is absolutely no way that this strap will slip off.

 

 

These straps are made of 304 stainless steel and are guaranteed FOREVER. The designer and builder of these straps, Kent Schaffer, tested them by putting 1,000 pounds on the tailgate of his own 1500 Chevy (it squatted four-inches). Well made and tough.