Molded plastic tailgate toper / extender

I am in the plastics business and I'm doing a little market research for a aftermarket ridgline product. I was driving in traffic the other day and seen a Ridgeline in front of me. The first thing that I noticed was the low tailgate height. It looked like someone had cut 4 inches off the top because of the high sides. I wasn't sure if thats the way it was suppose to look but it just didn't seem right. Since I am in the plastics business I immediately started thinking of how to fill that section in. After going to the dealer and seeing how the factory plastic cap screws on I came up with my own design. Its very similar to the factory cap, just stretched taller. I figured out my tooling and manufacturing expense and I think the product would help the looks of the truck ALOT. My main question is how many of you would be interested in buying one if they sold for around $50-$60? How many of you think that your trucks tailgate is fine from the factory and wouldn't want one? Thanks for your time.

I am in the plastics business and I'm doing a little market research for a aftermarket ridgline product. I was driving in traffic the other day and seen a Ridgeline in front of me. The first thing that I noticed was the low tailgate height. It looked like someone had cut 4 inches off the top because of the high sides. I wasn't sure if thats the way it was suppose to look but it just didn't seem right. Since I am in the plastics business I immediately started thinking of how to fill that section in. After going to the dealer and seeing how the factory plastic cap screws on I came up with my own design. Its very similar to the factory cap, just stretched taller. I figured out my tooling and manufacturing expense and I think the product would help the looks of the truck ALOT. My main question is how many of you would be interested in buying one if they sold for around $50-$60? How many of you think that your trucks tailgate is fine from the factory and wouldn't want one? Thanks for your time.
Hi..
Just to keep things respectable here....have you discussed advertising on this board with Administration yet??
LadyRidge/Moderator

Dear Fox Plastics,

Ladyridge has a point, you might want to check in with the owners about inquiring about selling a product on here.

However, I just wanted to thank you for not making your first post here about gas mileage.

Thank you,

Smoky :p

I heard it was reduced to the height it is to allow for a bit better angle of visibility when looking out the back of the truck.

But no, I would not be interested - thanks for checking though :cool:

If our fellow owners have interest in the product, say so. And if Fox Plastics wants to sell it via this site/forum, they can contact me and we can help them out with some sort of arrangement.

The first thing that I noticed was the low tailgate height.
It's not that the tailgate is low, it's that the sides are high. I think it looks fine just the way it is, thanks

According to Fox Plastic's post, I don't think they have a Ridgeline product to advertise just yet. He was only seeing if there would be interest in such a product. It's very difficult to advertise something that does not yet exist.

Perhaps if Fox Plastics could do a Photoshop image of what his idea would look like, it would be helpful. Visibility would be my only real concern. I can't imagine my gas mileage could get any worse ;)

Maybe this is a good opportunity to come up with ideas that Fox Plastics could make for us, that would be desireable. That is, if FP be interested in doing this.

There is a good reason behind that odd looking design. I remember reading somewhere that if you raise the tailgate height to the side wall level, you will reduce rearward visibility by almost 5 feet.

If you have any other ideas that can be molded out of plastic let me know. The tailgate topper would be a cosmetic piece. I think the reason for the tailgate not matching the sides was probably visability. A few Avalanche drivers complain that the back of a Avalanche is too high but most people use there rear view mirror. It seems that if you were to put some sort of bed cover that you would want to raise the taigate to fill in the gap and keep maximun height under the cover.

The attached pictures show a rough......VERY ROUGH version of what I was thinking about.

Actually, it does not look bad! What about slotting the indentions on outside for air flow and slightly better visibility? In other words, cut out completely the inset areas (6 of them on the outside), while leaving the flat top support section.

Nice idea but I would not be interested. I would also be concerned about it holding up to weight and pressure on it.

I have no interest in this potential product. I already have the Retrax tonneau.

I would also be concerned about it holding up to weight and pressure on it.
thats another good concern, besides rearward visibility.

Heres another picture using the airflow idea. It integrates a stainless steel bar on the top for strength and it can also be used for tiedowns. It would require 4 new bolts into the top of the tailgate to make it strong enough for tiedown use.

I'm not trying to sound mean at all when I say this, But I really dont like the way it looks. No offense Fox, thanks for the inovation but I wouldn't be interested

Thats cool. I don't expect everyone to like it. If everyone liked the same thing then there would be no need for the 100+ models of vehicles at your local car lots. Items like these are like rims...some people like em and some HATE them.

Make mine a whaletail.;)

Make mine a whaletail.
Without a front air dam? :D

Hey Fox,
How about a grill that resembles the optional plastic one that the factory sells for over $280. Looking for somthing to make the 'H' pop on the grill. And how about a matching plastic piece to fit the long rectangular middle space (below the grille) to match the two smaller one's on the side below the headlights and above the foglights.
Now you do this and I would buy from you...

Thanks...

That step down from the sides to the tailgate top does look like poor aesthetic design, to my eye. As others have stated, there are pragmatic rationales that led to this design decision.

I thought the Retrax might fill that space somewhat, but it is flush to the top of the tailgate. Of course your topper would not interfer with the operation of the bed cover.

It would be great if your design would allow the removal of the stock tailgate top trim and the reinstallation of your tailgate topper. It would have to be strong enough to transport a load of lumber resting against it with the gate up or down.

If your tailgate topper met these requirements and matched the bed rail trim, I would buy one.

The extender looks interesting, however, it would need to be structurally as sturdy as the tailgate itself. I wouldn't go for purly a cosmetic device.

As for other ideas, if you haven't noticed there is great demand for a tonneau cover that is waterproof, easy to remove, looks good, and is cheap. I already have the honda cover but am just relaying everyone else's thoughts.;)

I agree, I think there could be great interest in the light bar/roll bar attachment. I haven't heard of anyone else yet making one, and there is already a good picture for people to know if they would want one or not. People could give Mr. Fox a better idea knowing what it looks like on the truck already.

The tailgate is designed lower than the sides for aerodynamic reasons.

I have a Torzatop being delivered on Friday and if the gap from the top of the tailgate to the bottom of the tonnaue cover becomes an issue with rain I might be interested in something like this. Obviously that would depend on the final aesthetic appearance and structual strength.

Personally I think $60 is too much for an item like this if it is purely for looks. In that case I would expect the price to come in closer to that of the rear mud flaps which sell for $45.

If you have any other ideas that can be molded out of plastic let me know. The tailgate topper would be a cosmetic piece. I think the reason for the tailgate not matching the sides was probably visability. A few Avalanche drivers complain that the back of a Avalanche is too high but most people use there rear view mirror. It seems that if you were to put some sort of bed cover that you would want to raise the taigate to fill in the gap and keep maximun height under the cover.

I have a BIG idea for you. Fender flares. The OEM ones are fragile, which, while providing some protection, defeats the purpose. Flares like the ones seen on the all-terrain Ridge protoype could be very nice.

Can you make one of these "light bar / roll bars?"

Cna you make those fender flares in that pic?..

Actually, it does not look bad! What about slotting the indentions on outside for air flow and slightly better visibility? In other words, cut out completely the inset areas (6 of them on the outside), while leaving the flat top support section.

I have to agree, it doesn't look bad at all with the slots. But I really want the fender flares. :D

Another idea. A sealed storage container that could sit in bed where the cargo holder goes.

Without a front air dam? :D

add body flairs?

add body flairs?

Not that extreme, but Honda makes Fender Flares.

Not that extreme, but Honda makes Fender Flares.

But only those delicate body-colored ones. I wish they would release the black ones that were on that all-terrain prototype...

If you have any other ideas that can be molded out of plastic let me know. The tailgate topper would be a cosmetic piece. I think the reason for the tailgate not matching the sides was probably visability. A few Avalanche drivers complain that the back of a Avalanche is too high but most people use there rear view mirror. It seems that if you were to put some sort of bed cover that you would want to raise the taigate to fill in the gap and keep maximun height under the cover.

Maybe if you embossed RIDGELINE across the back of the tailgate topper it would help.
There are some Tonneau cover mfrs.that are having a hard time making covers for the bed because of the low tailgate height. Your idea would solve that problem.
Im sure you could make an under seat storage system that would be cheaper than HONDAS
How about a locking storage container that would fit in the bed under the RETRAX tonneau canister??

Vinnie

I think Fox Plastics has run away or been chased away....

This thread should be closed and filed under "failed to deliver".

I just wanted the light bar... :(


Me too, is that too much to ask? ;)

I have no interest in this potential product. I already have the Retrax tonneau.
I concur with Truckin'. It would change how any tonneau cover mounts on the RL.

I watched a video in which a Honda rep was telling then they have the tailgate lowered so drive can see properly from the rear view mirror.

I like the way the tailgate as is. I don't thing I will do any mod to the tailgate.

Thanks for thinking of aftermarket offerings for the Ridgeline; however, in this case I would not be interested in the tailgate height extension. Any higher would degrade visibility, and the current height works fine for me.

Not interested in the tailgate thing but if you come up with a better plastic left foot rest than I would be interested. Maybe something that is flatter.

I watched a video in which a Honda rep was telling then they have the tailgate lowered so drive can see properly from the rear view mirror.

I like the way the tailgate as is. I don't thing I will do any mod to the tailgate.


Ditto! I saw it too.

Can you make one of these "light bar / roll bars?"

I have to agree. Arranging the availability of this light bar would likely make you a hero around here. Body Colored please!:D

As far as the tail gate goes......no way. If I wanted it higher, i would have bought an F-150.

fins

What about that top bolt on either side of the rear of the bed?Can't they be loosened and a D ring be added or any sort heavy rubber or vinyl ring?

If I wanted to really snug something up,a ratchet strap between the bed and the tail gate looped around the stinger on the trailer hitch would cinch up super.

This would work with tail gate up or down.
Honda missed by not putting recessed cleats higher or on the top edge of the tailgate or a recessed rod across the gate top