Tail Gate Load Rating?

[CMeese]

Does anyone know the load rating of the tailgate on a Dodge RAM heavyduty? I have a heavy Harley-Davidson (about 1000lbs with rider) and have been unable to find any specs from DC on the tailgate cable rating. I have seen cables break on older trucks. This could be a serious safety problem riding a bike up a ramp and having a tailgate drop!!! I know I can take the tailgate off and then run it up the ramps, but don't want to do this if I don't have to. Thanks

 

[davidclark]

Owners manual should state it, but I recall it's around 300 pounds...

 

[BHaner]

I load my Polaris 700 ATV all the time. It weighs about 1000 lbs (with rider). No problems yet.

 

[StephenThomas]

I don't know the answer to your question, but 300lbs seems awfully low. I was shore fishing not long ago with 3 buddies. All 3 of us were sitting on the open tailgate - beer in one hand, fishing pole in the other. I weigh 225 and the guys with me are only slightly smaller than myself. Cables held up just fine with approx 600lbs on it. Couldn't you just remove stock cables and put stronger ones on?

 

[DCaswell]

You are not putting 1000lb load on the tail gate. One end of ramp is on the ground & shares the load. When you get front wheel in box load is distributed even more. Don't worry-be happy

 

[XcumminsX]

a buddy of mine taht weighs 495 lbs sat on the tailgate. . YES 495! HES A FAT SLOB and nothing broke... i was pretty worried though.



Nick

 

[Eric_77]

I am in the glassblock business (masonry) and have set in excess of 800 lbs dead weight on the tailgate of 96 and 03 (the 92 I am sure I did as well but it hasn't had a tailgate in 8 years) pickup without problems. no cable, distortion or any other problem tailgate opens closes fine. Loaded motorcycels all the time without problem but 1000lbs for a harley I knew they were called boat anchors but I had no idea they could anchor a ship.

 

[davidclark]

Yes 300 is light but remember they are stating numbers BELOW the actual to save them from lawsuits. It's probably in the manual... But mine's not next to me, it's in the truck...

 

[thejeepdude]

Um, I wouldn't recommend this, but I've had the front tires of my ~4000lb Jeep on the tailgate of my '99 CTD. Don't ask. BTW, It didn't phase it. I know the break strength of my 5/16" winch cable is well over 10K lbs, so the 2 pieces of cable that support the tailgate, although smaller, should easily be able to take the weight of your Harley... which as someone already mentioned, isn't being completely supported by the tailgate at any given point while loading... so don't sweat it.

 

[BarryG]

I have had 15 bags of quickrete on my tailgate at one time more than once and no problem. Now I wasn't driving around like that just loading and unloading. If I remember they are 80 or 90lb bags

 

[fkovalski]

I put 30 2x12x16’ pressure treat joists with a 4x4 at the very edge of the tailgate. IT DID NOT DO WELL! Whatever slight curve was in the outside skin of the tailgate was straightened out. The skin seams of "inside to outside" metal pulled apart. I was watching close as the forklift operator was lowering the load when I halted him, but it was too late. The gate still latches, but the body lines don’t line up any more. Had to re- adjust the topper lid to accommodate the new body lines. I don’t know how much actual weight the PT was, but it was a point load all along the very edge of the tailgate that didn’t hold.

 

[thejeepdude]

Originally posted by fkovalski

I put 30 2x12x16’ pressure treat joists with a 4x4 at the very edge of the tailgate. IT DID NOT DO WELL! Whatever slight curve was in the outside skin of the tailgate was straightened out. The skin seams of "inside to outside" metal pulled apart. I was watching close as the forklift operator was lowering the load when I halted him, but it was too late. The gate still latches, but the body lines don’t line up any more. Had to re- adjust the topper lid to accommodate the new body lines. I don’t know how much actual weight the PT was, but it was a point load all along the very edge of the tailgate that didn’t hold.

Hmmm... the problem with that is you created a fulcrum at the worst point of the tailgate whereby all the load of those long boards hanging past the edge was multiplied. But at least the cables didn't break! But for point of reference, I'm sure the stress on the tailgate was a LOT more than loading a 1000lb Harley would be.

 

[fkovalski]

You're right jeepdude. Because the joists were so long I tried to keep them inboard towards the cab using this method for the ride home. Should have paid the $25 for delivery. I am going to keep the tailgate for work uses and look into a set of side opening doors.

 

[RobertBolinger]

Originally posted by XcumminsX

a buddy of mine taht weighs 495 lbs sat on the tailgate. . YES 495! HES A FAT SLOB and nothing broke... i was pretty worried though.



Nick

Nick-I used to work with a guy who weighed over 400-drove a YUGO-now it was something to see him fold himself into that little car-Robert

 

[XcumminsX]

LOL... Id pay to see that. .



Nick

 

[skillsaw]

I've had plenty of weight on my tailgate many of times - never had a problem... ..... Of course there was this one time loading cinder blocks into the bed, Let the pallet down on the tailgate to slide the forks out a little further, & *!SNAP!* the cables broke. Turns out the cable was scored, kinked & rusty in the middle where it folds (must have been nicked a few times by closing the gate) it finally let go. Both sides were identical. Sooooooo, the cables may be strong enough to support the Bike, only if they're in good condition! Just check'em every now & then.

 

[bish777]

I owned a 1992 Isuzu pickup, paid 3300 for it. I hauled at least 500 bikes, snowmobiles, atv's in the bed, drove them all up. Yes HD's also. Never had an issue. Remember that load is not on the tailgate for over a few seconds.

My dodge tailgate is at least 10 times more heavy duty than that isuzu tg!