Tailgate load limits

[e-man-da-warranty-man]

The tailgate and supporting hardware were designed for 500 lbs of load with a stationary vehicle (no bouncing or flexing). This is the answer I got from the Star center tech line back in 03 when they contacted engineering for me. Granted we've all gotten away with more- but thats what it was designed for... .

 

[HOBrian]

I can tell you for a fact my tailgate on my 2003 4x4 will not support my fifthwheel.

:-laf:-laf





I have a sportsman 500 (800lbs) and me on it and it takes it!!

 

[Superglide]

Use a proper ramp! I don't want anyone experiencing what happened to me. About 5 years ago I had to load my '03 Harley Superglide into the truck. I had what I thought was a capable ramp. Just as the front wheel came onto the tailgate, the bottom of the kickstand caught the top of the ramp on the lip of the tailgate. There I was, wedged, so I had no choice but to go back down but needed to pull it with some force. As I freed it I started going backwards (hate that feeling on a ramp), put my foot down, only find the hole of the grated ramp. Over we went onto the driveway. Luckily for me the highway peg and left handgrip took the brunt of the blow. I took the rest. Once the pain subsided and I stopped shaking, I ordered one of these. Ensure your ramp is long enough.



The Bad Boy Motorcycle Ramp

 

[RVTRKN]

I like the way that has a "U" shape, to fit over the tailgate and distribute the weight evenly over the entire tailgate, where the strength is on the ends. The only problem for me, is that I have a tappered flatbed.

 

[EricBu12]

Best to get one of these if weight is a problem.
PICKUP TAILGATE SAVER

 

[Boaring1961]

Resurection of an old thread...

I read through this thread and see a variety of comments. In my situation I have a Honda Foreman 500 quad that weighs in at around 700 lbs (all racks and fuel included). When I load it into my short bed quad cab half of the weight is on the bed and the other half is on the tailgate. If I'm conservative and calculate the weight split between the bed and the tailgate I'm guessing there is 350 to 420 pounds riding on the tailgate. I have a 10 hour drive one way and once there will put 50+ miles on dirt roads with the quad in the back of my truck and weight on the tailgate.

Should I be concerned about this amount of weight on the tailgate?

 

[JR]

unless your machine is REALLY loaded down with goodies, Id be surprised if it weighs that much. My honda rincon 650 weighes right at 600 lbs full of fuel. I personally don't trust the straps on tailgates, it just isn't worth ruining a tailgate over. Ive seen people use their tailgates for things that blew my mind and have no problems, on the other hand ive watched my grandfather ride on the tailgate through the field at the end of a day of baling hay and wind up on his *** on the ground. They give without warning.

Maybe a piece of plywood or something similar to span the tailgate and bed would help distribute the load a little?

you can probably get away without it, but better safe than sorry.

 

[AMink]

With a Sportsman 500 I've had no problems loading. Since the quad is longer than the bed, I have to strap the tailgate up at an angle to hook up my TT. I did have one of the pins pop out of the hinge doing that. The little plastic piece fell out somewhere and I have to be careful strapping the tailgate up.

 

[Boaring1961]

diesel4life refer to the specs below. With my racks front and rear, extra fuel can and saddle bags it's getting close to 675 lbs and maybe 700 lbs.

HONDA FOREMAN 4X4 ES ESP
Engine type ... liquid-cooled, OHV, single-cylinder, 4-stroke
Displacement ... 475cc
Bore & stroke ... 92. 0mm x 71. 5mm
Fuel system ... 36mm Keihin EFI
Starting ... Electric (Optional recoil back up)
Transmission ... 5-speed push-button with automatic clutch & reverse
Final drive … Shafts
Suspension/Wheel travel
Front: Dual A-arms w/ 6. 7"
Rear: Swingarm w/6. 9"
Brakes
Front... Dual hydraulic discs
Rear... Sealed drum
Tires
Front... 25 x 8-12
Rear... 25 x 10-12
Length/Width/Height... 83. 7"/47. 4"/47. 4"
Seat height... 34. 7"
Ground clearance... 7. 6"
Wheelbase... 50. 4"
Fuel capacity... 4. 0 gal
Curb weight... 626 lb. (wet)
Colors... Red, Olive, Camo
Price... $7699

Yesterday I did exactly what you mentioned and pulled out 2 smaller sheets of 3/4 inch plywood that I will lay down on the tailgate. That way when I park the quad on it for the trip it'll distribute the load more evenly and some of it to the bed of the truck.

FYI - Yesterday I noticed that from the past trip I did with the quad there are two slight low spots on the tailgate where the tires road for 22+ hours. Glad I caught it before they became too big.

 

[JR]

Im surprised to see it weighs about as much as my rincon. Maybe you could ditch some of. the saddle bags and fuel for the ride in the truck to lighten the machine up and put them back on once you get there.

 

[DClark]

One thing to consider when riding a rearwheel drive vehicle up a ramp into a truck bed is that as soon as that front wheel hits the truck bed and no longer has its weight on the ramp, goose the power to run on in and there is a great likely hood that the rear tire will spin the ramp out from under you. A 4X4 with the front engaged is less likely to do that. The set of ramps that I bought came with a strap that hooks to the bumper and holds the ramps against the tailgate.
DClark

 

[Boaring1961]

I always run up the ramp and into the truck in 4WD.

Here's a pict of my temporary cure to finding a way to distribute the weight evenly to the tailgate and truck bed. Two sheets of 3/4" plywood. This will work until I come up with something better.