Thank you for purchasing our product!

If you have any trouble with installation, are missing any parts or have any other questions, please call our customer service department, toll free, at 1-877-388-8895 or visit our web site at www.thebacksaver.com.  Please, do not return to the store where you purchased the product, because they cannot help you.

Parts List Quantity

• BackSaver Tailgate Assist (1-side) 1
• 5/16-inch x 2 1/2-inch mounting bolts 4
• 5/16-inch flat washers and locking nuts 4 each
• 1/2-inch x 5 1/2-inch gate attachment bolt 1
• 1/2-inch flanged lock nuts 2
• 1/2-inch flat washers 2

Tools Required

• Measuring Tape
• Drill
• 1/2-inch metal drill bit
• Socket wrench with a 1/2-inch socket
• Adjustable wrench

Two people are needed for installing this product to your trailer.


Step 1, Attaching to the trailer side rail

1)      Place your tape measure at the rear edge of your side rail, the edge nearest your gate.  Measure along the top of the side rail and make marks in the center on the top of the side rail at the following measurements, 7/16-inch, 38 9/16-inches, 39 1/2-inches and 77 5/8-inches.  Drill 1/2-inch holes down through your side rail where you made your marks.

2)      Carefully, unfold and straighten the Backsaver unit, making sure, that the stickers are on the same side of the unit.  Place the 5/16-inch, smooth top, mounting bolts through the holes at the ends, where the two pieces of the unit come together.  Place the BackSaver on the rail, while guiding the 5/16-inch x 2 1/2-inch mounting bolts through the 1/2-inch holes you just drilled.

3)      Make sure, the two sections of the BackSaver unit are straight, even and tight against each other and that the stickers are aligned on the same side of the unit.

4)      Insert the 5/16-inch x 2 1/2-inch mounting bolts through the mounting holes on each end of the Backsaver unit and the holes you just drilled into your side rails. Then put on and securely tighten the 5/16-inch flat washers and lock nuts, in that order, to all the mounting bolts.  Again making sure, that the two sections of the BackSaver unit are straight, even and tight against each other, before securely tightening the bolts.

Step 2, Attaching to the trailer tailgate

1)      Measure up 36-inches from the bottom of your gate and make a mark on the gate’s side support angle/tube.  You will make this mark on whichever side of the gate’s side support angle/tube, that when the cable is attached to the gate, will allow the cable to pull out of the housing and through the rollers in a straight line, will allow the cable to travel in the middle of the rollers, and will not allow the cable to contact the steel housing as it operates.

2)      Drill a 1/2-inch hole through the gate’s side support angle/tube, where you made your mark.

3)      Slide the 1/2-inch x 5 1/2-inch gate attachment bolt through the end link in the chain.

4)      Put one of the 1/2-inch flanged locking nuts, smooth end first, onto the 1/2-inch x 5 1/2-inch gate attachment bolt and tighten the nut to the end of the threads.  Then, put on one of the 1/2-inch flat washers onto the bolt.

5)      Two people are required for steps 5 and 6.  Insert the gate attachment bolt into the hole that you just drilled through the gate’s side support angle/tube. 

6)      Put the other 1/2-inch flat washer onto the bolt.  Then, put on the other 1/2-inch flanged lock nut, flanged side first, and tighten securely to the gate.  The flanged locking side of the two nuts should now be in contact with the two flat washers, sandwiching your gate’s side support angle/tube between them.

Required Monthly Inspections:

1)      Make sure, the cable is pulling out of the housing and through the rollers in a straight line, that it is traveling in the middle of the rollers, and that it is not contacting the steel housing as it operates.

2)      Inspect the cable for signs of damage or fraying.  Replace the cable, if either of these conditions exist.

3)      Make sure, all the bolts and hardware are tight, secure and in good condition.

4)      Make sure, the rollers are turning freely.  If they are not, clean them, inside and out, by wiping them with a clean rag.  Do not use chemical cleaners or alcohol to clean the rollers; this will damage them.  The rollers are made of a self-lubricating material; they do not need lubrication.  Do not lubricate the rollers; this will damage them.