Be careful doing this. My rear hatch for instance with gas can and spare weights in around 300lbs. Anything breaking loose and the hatch falling could literally kill me. 

I now take the spare off anytime I need to open the tailgate. Inconvenient, but so is being chopped in half. 

-craig

On Nov 21, 2012, at 12:47 PM, Geneva Saint-Amour <genevasaintamour@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:

> A small diameter piece of PVC pipe can be slipped over the strut.  When the door is lifted, the PVC slips into place to support the door (regardless of the weight on it) When you are ready to close the hatch you simply move the PVC to align with the larger part of the strut and the door closes.  Need photos? Email me.