A tailgate for a pick-up truck comprising a handle assembly comprising: a. a guide tube with an open end; b. a handle portion that is received within the guide tube ; c. a pivot assembly that comprises a locking pin and a pivot pin , wherein the pivot pin is connected to one end of the handle portion and wherein the pivot assembly is received within the guide tube ; wherein the handle portion is moveable within the guide tube between a retracted position and an extended position, and in the extended position the handle portion passes through the open end of the guide tube and the handle portion is pivotable about the pivot pin to move to a support position; wherein when the handle portion is in the support position, the pivot assembly remains received within the guide tube and the locking pin is configured to releasably lock the handle portion in the support position; wherein the guide tube is secured within the tailgate of the pick-up truck; wherein the pivot assembly further comprises a release lever and a biasing member , wherein the release lever is pivotally connected at one end to the pivot assembly and the biasing member is connected at a first end to the pivot assembly and connected at a second end to the release lever , distal from the pivotally connected end of the release lever , and wherein the locking pin is fixed to the release lever ; characterized in that the pivot assembly further comprises a tension link member that is rotatably connected to the pivot assembly and wherein when the handle portion is in the support position, the handle portion engages the tension link member and rotates the tension link member to contact (i) a fixed surface or (ii) a tolerance compensator . a. a guide tube with an open end; b. a handle portion that is received within the guide tube ; c. a pivot assembly that comprises a locking pin and a pivot pin , wherein the pivot pin is connected to one end of the handle portion and wherein the pivot assembly is received within the guide tube ; wherein the handle portion is moveable within the guide tube between a retracted position and an extended position, and in the extended position the handle portion passes through the open end of the guide tube and the handle portion is pivotable about the pivot pin to move to a support position; wherein when the handle portion is in the support position, the pivot assembly remains received within the guide tube and the locking pin is configured to releasably lock the handle portion in the support position; wherein the guide tube is secured within the tailgate of the pick-up truck; wherein the pivot assembly further comprises a release lever and a biasing member , wherein the release lever is pivotally connected at one end to the pivot assembly and the biasing member is connected at a first end to the pivot assembly and connected at a second end to the release lever , distal from the pivotally connected end of the release lever , and wherein the locking pin is fixed to the release lever ; characterized in that the pivot assembly further comprises a tension link member that is rotatably connected to the pivot assembly and wherein when the handle portion is in the support position, the handle portion engages the tension link member and rotates the tension link member to contact (i) a fixed surface or (ii) a tolerance compensator . (i) a fixed surface or (ii) a tolerance compensator . <EOS>