Weight limit on Tacoma gate

I'd like to prop a ramp up on the gate of my 2004 Tacoma double-cab

4WD, but I don't want to damage the gate by doing so. Anyone know what a reasonable weight limit would be? The idea is to use the ramp to push a 375lb motorcycle up onto the bed. Thanks
Reply to
danf
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On my 02 Tacoma, I believe the limit is stamped somewhere right on the gate. If not, check your manual. It is DEFINITELY in one of those two places.

Reply to
Doug Kanter

Unless the ramp is very wide (width of tail gate to spread load) and stiff it could colapse tail gate and I would advise against it because a motor cycle has weight consentrated in one area.

Reply to
SnoMan

I loaded my Kawasaki KLR 650 in my 04 Dbl Cab Prerunner numerous times and haven't had any problems. The back tire was resting on the tailgate the whole time while traveling too with no ill effects. I do have it Rhino-lined so that might have helped stiffen it up.

Mac

Reply to
Mac

Mac, did you use a single track ramp (like, what a foot wide or a little more) or a ramp that was about as wide as the gate? I'm thinking of buying one or two of the single-track ramps...

-d

Reply to
danf

times

This spreads the weigh out over a wider area and closer to the support points too, not like a cycel that puts it all in one place and likely in the middle too. It is not the weight but how and where it is applied here.

Reply to
SnoMan

I have two 2 X 10 boards with mounts that attach to the ends for resting on the tailgate. I walk up one and push the bike up the other. Taking it back down is scary though because my bike is so tall it's hard to watch where the back tire is. Almost went off the side of the ramp on the last download till a neighbor started helping. Not the safest thing but a buddy down the street gave them to me, he had no use for them anymore.

Mac

Reply to
Mac

If you try that, remember to roll up a tarp or a chunk of carpet and put it on top of the bumper as padding BEFORE you release the tailgate support cables and let it down past horizontal SLOWLY. Oh, and remove the hitch ball if it sticks out.

The early trucks had little rubber bumpers on the edges of the tailgate strategically placed to hit the back bumper and avoid damage to the tailgate, new cars just let you dent the sheet metal.

Better yet, avoid the trouble - unbolt the hinges and remove the tailgate. On some trucks you used to just be able to push a button to pop the tailgate out of the hinges easily and set it aside, but time marches on. Few people take their tailgates off and on regularly, and easy theft of tailgates caused more trouble than the feature was worth.

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Reply to
Bruce L. Bergman
1 man 6 ft tall weighs 200 lbs 2 men 6 ft tall weight 400 lbs

Do you think your tailgate could support the weight of two men on it?

375 lbs is not alot of weight

I don't know but would guess the tailgate could stand near 1000 lbs before deformation would even begin occur on the struts. You could immoblize the struts (1 minute activity) and go straight to the bed of the truck with your ramp also.

375 lbs is really not a problem.
Reply to
HighlandCA

You are overally generous here. THere is not that much meat in the tail gate and would guess that if you place a 500lb load squarley on the edge and center ot tailgate lip in a small area (like a ramp) it would buckle some and it would be toast long before 1000 lbs was applied. The strap may support close to 1000 lbs together but not the tail gate itself without some serious help.

Reply to
SnoMan

Why not get a piece of checker plate for your tail gate, I see this all the time. It really strengthens your tailgate.

Reply to
notmyrealname

"danf" wrote in news:1119374678.863247.27880 @g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

You should have no problem. I use a folding steel ramp (as wide as the gate) to load my Harley on to my Prerunner and it weighs 577lbs. I've done this many times with no problems.

Reply to
SGB

Just remember it is better to error to the side of caution because none of these guys in this thread are going to buy you a new tailgate if it bends.

Reply to
SnoMan

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