Tailgate weight capacity?

[Crunch]

Does anyone know what the weight capacity for the tailgate is? My truck is getting close to being paid off, and with me getting used to being in debt I think I'm going to do something dumb. I had been thinking about using a Cummins engine in a diesel conversion, but this past weekend I was at the Hunter's Extravaganza and saw a Polaris Sportsman MV, and now I want one of those. A month or so ago I hauled an older Honda quadrunner in the bed, using a pair of metal tailgate ramps to get it up into the truck. It probably weighed close to 600 lbs, but this Sportsman MV (MV=military version; http://www.atvconnection.com/atvconnection/Features/atvreviews/2005_Polaris_MV700.cfm), weighs just under 1000lbs. unloaded. I know I should be saving my money, but at $8600 I feel I owe it to myself to do something incredibly stupid, and the MV is an amazing machine. If the tailgate won't support 1000lbs I guess I will have to buy a set of ramps that fit on the bed, and remove the tailgate whenever I want to load and unload it.

 

[JStraw]

I load and unload a full size H-D dresser at over 800 lbs. Then if you add all the goodies I carry in the compartments plus the fact I ride it onto the truck, the tailgate is holding an excess of 1000lbs.

 

[Bagger]

I load and unload a full size H-D dresser at over 800 lbs. Then if you add all the goodies I carry in the compartments plus the fact I ride it onto the truck, the tailgate is holding an excess of 1000lbs.

Ditto here... ... . no problems... ... ..... not even a squeak

 

[RKerner]

Does anyone know what the weight capacity for the tailgate is? ... a Polaris Sportsman MV, and now I want one of those. A month or so ago I hauled an older Honda quadrunner in the bed, using a pair of metal tailgate ramps to get it up into the truck. It probably weighed close to 600 lbs, but this Sportsman MV (MV=military version; http://www.atvconnection.com/atvconnection/Features/atvreviews/2005_Polaris_MV700.cfm), weighs just under 1000lbs. unloaded. If the tailgate won't support 1000lbs I guess I will have to buy a set of ramps that fit on the bed, and remove the tailgate whenever I want to load and unload it.

I load my RANGER by backing into the ditch and driving it on. the tailgate doesn't have to hold the full 1000lbs then. But, a big bump will push it to 1000lbs easy. I use my dirt bike ramps as extra support under the tires to spread the load out a bit more.



You should measure the MV with its extra tubing to figger out its width. the Ranger fits by 1/2" on each side at the tailgate opening. Then I have to space it back in the front of the box with a piece of plywood and 4x4 chunks to keep the bumper from banging into the rear winder. I'll finda pic and post it if I can.



I like the MV rear winch thing - I used it just yesterday dragging a big popple around the yard.

 

[Crunch]

Thanks for the quick responses. In looking at the tailgate I wouldn't have thought it could safely hold that much. I'm about 165lbs, so me and the quad will be slightly under 1200lbs. I guess that means my biggest worry will be gunning that 700cc monster through the back windshield. First time I backed a quad off of a pickup it rolled into the thumb on my right hand as the back wheels dropped on to the ramp. As you know, the thumb is on the accelerator lever, and I shot to the bottom and set the back wheels on the ground before I could react. Very scary, but no harm done. Made the guy spotting me jump out of the way. At 72 years old that was probably the fastest he's moved for a while.

 

[Crunch]

I like the MV rear winch thing - I used it just yesterday dragging a big popple around the yard.

And to think that the MV has dual 2500lb. winches--one on the front and one on the back. Not sure why you would need two, but the thought that popped into my head was to hook them to two trees and use them as jack stands...

 

[MMead]

Crunch,



I was looking at the Polaris web site and saw these discounts being offered:



http://www.polarispowersports.com/factory-clearance.shtml



Don't know if this is helpful, but I thought I'd point it out.

 

[Eric_77]

I think it will really come down to how the ramp rests on the tailgate if it is a very narrow tab then I think it would dent it if it is a continous lip on the ramp where load is spread across whole length of ramp it will be fine. I have set over 1200#s on the tailgate of mortar and masonry supplies on multilpe occasions.

 

[JKinney]

I have an 02 just remember that the cables go bad one of mine broke so i replaced both.