Is my tailgate strong enough for sleds?

[DFrank]

I am borrowing a snowmobile this weekend and will probably load it in the bed to avoid dealing with a trailer and unloading the 2nd sled that I am not borrowing.



My 8 year old is terrified that we will damage the tailgate loading it up via 2 scaffolding planks.



Should I be concerned?



I honestly wouldn't have thought much about it, but he has me wondering...



Thanks.

 

[rscurtis]

I would remove the tailgate to be on the safe side.

 

[mwilson]

No way, these tailgates bend way too easy. Take it off before you load.



Also if you have picks, studs whatever in the track it will gouge the heck out of it if you spin.

You say that you are borrowing it so I assume that you may not be used to operating the sled so there a chance of making a boo-boo.



Load it off of a snowbank, much safer if you can.

 

[Turbo Kidd]

Don't worry about it... . I load my sled & ATV in mine all of the time. I have been since 2003 and I have never had an issue. I have a short bed and a tool box in my bed too. I have had my sled haging out 2+ feet before. I understand that you don't want to ruin your tail gate, but you should be fine. If you would like I can send you some pictures if that will help easy your mind? Oh yeah, using a snow bank will make it a lot easier to load and unload. Most importanley DO NOT load & unload the sled by yourself.

 

[scootergmc]

When I bought my gun safe, I picked it up at the factory. Weighs in between 8-900 lbs. (so I was told). The forklift picked it up (upright) on the pallet, drove it up to the back of my truck, and tipped it until it was pivoting on the edge of the tailgate. I asked if it was going to explode my tailgate... the owner of the company said, "Nope, we load these things all the time. I know which trucks can't handle it. Your Dodge will be just fine. " Sure enough, he continued the pivot, and that thing just teeter-tottered on the edge of my tailgate until it tipped softly onto its back in my bed. Disassembly was the reverse of assembly, without the forklift . Tailgate again did fine. I also load ATV's and motorcycles, the tailgate has done just fine. Good luck!

 

[champspa]

I don't know but it sitting there on those wires that hold the gate up , I have had to replace mine , but it's an older truck , and they are not all that strong looking

 

[DGamelin]

My 93 has a 8ft bed with 2ft tool box fuel tank combo I carry a long track. It's a couple feet longer then the gate. We drive it in off a snow bank. The gate holds up fine the skies tear up the paint, I dont run studded tracks. This is also a light sled. We also load our atv's the same way.



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93 250 2wd xc 354 auto 272k

04. 5 3500 4wd qc dully 373 6speed 94k