I added a hydraulic damper to mine so it opens easily for my wife. The damper also holds the gate open so she doesn't have to mess with it when loading stuff into the rear. She does not mind it at all. It's set up well and my 2 year old son can close and latch it on his own
This sounds extremely helpful. Which damper? And do you have a pic posted around here somewhere? I see this mod in my future.