Tailgate, Ute Tray & Trailer Hinge Hardware

Need a tailgate to pivot cleanly without turning a straightforward repair into a fabrication puzzle? Red Cat strap hinges cover trailer tailgates, ute trays, canopy doors & suitable access-panel applications, with loose hinges, hinge kits, gudgeons & bushes available across the range.

Before matching an existing assembly, Calipers (Digital / Manual) can help check component dimensions while Measuring & Layout Tools support hinge positioning across a tray, gate or panel. Red Cat options include zinc-plated, black, stainless steel & aluminium configurations plus selected left- & right-hand hinge kits.

What Makes a Strap Hinge Different?

Picture a trailer tailgate with its hinge hardware stretched along the panel rather than concentrated around a small rectangular leaf.

That extended arm is the recognisable feature of a strap hinge.

On many transport-style assemblies, however, the strap is only part of the system. Depending on the particular configuration, the working arrangement may involve:

► Hinge strap attached to the moving panel
► Gudgeon providing the mating pivot component
► Bush sitting within the assembly to support movement
► Clip or retaining hardware used on selected configurations
► Mounting points connecting the hardware to the structure

That component relationship is worth understanding before ordering. A loose strap may be exactly what a repair needs, while another job may be better served by a complete hinge kit.

What's Actually in the Red Cat Range?

Choice in this collection comes from configuration as much as size.

You'll find loose strap hinges for buyers replacing an individual component, alongside hinge kits where compatible parts are supplied together.

Several gudgeons are also listed separately. These form the mating side of suitable strap-hinge arrangements, making them relevant when the existing pivot component is worn, missing or being incorporated into a new build.

Red Cat plastic bushes appear within the same collection in 30 mm & 40 mm widths, supporting compatible hinge assemblies rather than functioning as standalone hinges.

Material & finish choices extend across zinc-plated steel, black steel, stainless steel & aluminium products. Because those specifications vary by item, check the individual product rather than assuming one construction applies to the complete range.

Working on the surrounding tailgate or tray hardware at the same time? Specialty Fasteners & Fixings can help with compatible fabrication requirements.

Where Are Strap Hinges Commonly Used?

Trailer tailgates are a natural fit for this style of hardware. The extended strap can run along the moving panel while the mating hinge component establishes its pivot at the trailer body.

Ute tray sides frequently use similar arrangements where a side or tailgate needs to swing away from its closed position without relying on a conventional cabinet-style hinge.

Canopy access doors can use selected strap-hinge configurations where their dimensions, movement & mounting design suit the door.

Service bodies may incorporate them into external compartments or fabricated access points where straightforward mechanical hardware is preferred.

Camper trailers introduce another useful scenario, particularly where doors, gates or equipment panels form part of a custom fabricated body.

Replacement fabrication is equally important. Bent straps, worn bushes or damaged mating components do not necessarily mean every part of an existing hinge assembly needs to be replaced.

For jobs extending into trailer or vehicle repair, Car Repair & Maintenance provides a broader pathway into workshop equipment.

Loose Hinge or Complete Kit?

This is one of the most useful decisions to make before comparing lengths.

A loose strap hinge can make sense when the mating hardware remains serviceable & you can positively identify the required replacement.

A hinge kit may be more convenient where the relevant components are supplied together for the intended configuration.

A separate gudgeon or bush can be useful when inspection shows that the wear or damage is concentrated on that component rather than the strap itself.

Don't assume every kit contains identical parts. Check the individual product listing so you know exactly what is supplied.

Left Hand or Right Hand? Look at the Installation

Handed hinge kits appear in the Red Cat range, including selected 240 mm, 300 mm & 340 mm configurations.

Instead of guessing from the product photograph, identify the orientation required by the actual tailgate, tray or panel.

Compare the existing installation where possible. Photographing both sides before disassembly can be particularly useful if the components are about to be removed for repair or refinishing.

For a new fabrication, lay the hardware out against the assembly before final mounting so the intended orientation is obvious.

Replacement Shopping: Bring These Measurements With You

A bent hinge can still provide valuable information.

Capture as much as possible before throwing the old hardware away:

A phone photo with a ruler beside the old hinge can also preserve useful information once the vehicle or trailer leaves the workshop.

If new mounting holes or compatible fabrication work is required, browse Drills for suitable workshop equipment.

Don't Ignore the Bush

Sometimes the cheapest-looking component in the assembly tells you the most.

A worn bush can allow unwanted movement around a compatible hinge arrangement. If the strap itself appears serviceable but the assembly has developed excessive play, inspect the bush & mating surfaces rather than automatically replacing the largest component.

Look for uneven wear, deformation, missing material or evidence that the components are no longer sitting where intended.

The same inspection should include the gudgeon. Wear around a pivot is a system issue, so checking the components together provides a clearer picture than judging the strap in isolation.

This approach mirrors a broader workshop principle explored in A Day With An Automotive Mechanic Peninsula: understand what failed before simply replacing the most obvious part.

Expert Tips From the Workshop Side

Take photos before pulling the assembly apart. Orientation that seems obvious while everything is fitted can become surprisingly difficult to remember once several similar components are sitting on a bench.

Compare both sides of a tailgate. An undamaged opposite hinge can reveal dimensions, bush position & component order when one side has failed.

Check the structure behind the hardware. A straight new hinge will not correct a bent mounting face or distorted tailgate.

Look for wear where components actually touch. Polished surfaces, grooves or elongation can help identify unwanted movement around the pivot.

Trial the tailgate through its complete arc. Clearance at the closed position tells you little about what happens halfway through opening.

Keep left- & right-hand components identified during disassembly. Marking parts can prevent unnecessary confusion during a larger refurbishment.

Verify what's included before buying a kit. Product names can look similar while supplied components differ, so use the individual listing as the final reference.

When fixing hardware also needs attention, Bolts & Fasteners provides related options for suitable installations.

Building a New Tailgate? Set the Hardware Out First

Fabricating from scratch gives you one advantage a replacement job does not: you can establish the hinge arrangement before old holes dictate the position.

Lay the straps, mating components & panel together. Check that the hinge axes line up, verify the tailgate can travel through the intended arc & make sure nearby catches or bodywork remain clear.

Only then should permanent mounting positions become the priority.

For suitable assemblies using through-fastened hardware, Flat Washer can support the fixing setup.

Fabricators interested in the wider relationship between fixings & the equipment they hold together can also read Why Good Fasteners Matter More Than the Tool You Drive Them With.