Tailgate Load Capacity?

[MDJAK]

While at SEMA I ran across a small vendor selling yellow flat steel pieces that go between the tailgate when in open position and a round piece attached to the body to enable it to support more weight than the cables can safely. I wanted to purchase them then and there but he wasn't selling from the booth, as most were not.

Sunday I'm taking my new Can Am 1000cc atv (approx weight 900 pounds) to go riding. I have a 12 foot enclosed trailer that I usually use but was thinking of just loading it in the bed instead. The rear wheels I'm fairly certain will wind up on the tailgate.

I realize the entire weight of the ATV won't be resting on the tailgate, but I'm guessing a few hundred pounds will be.

Anyone know its capacity? Thank you.

 

[jhsocal]

While at SEMA I ran across a small vendor selling yellow flat steel pieces that go between the tailgate when in open position and a round piece attached to the body to enable it to support more weight than the cables can safely. I wanted to purchase them then and there but he wasn't selling from the booth, as most were not.

Sunday I'm taking my new Can Am 1000cc atv (approx weight 900 pounds) to go riding. I have a 12 foot enclosed trailer that I usually use but was thinking of just loading it in the bed instead. The rear wheels I'm fairly certain will wind up on the tailgate.

I realize the entire weight of the ATV won't be resting on the tailgate, but I'm guessing a few hundred pounds will be.

Anyone know its capacity? Thank you.

Not sure what the capacity is but I've seen the pieces your talking about before. I believe a company called DG makes them as well.

https://www.dgmtailgatesupport.com/product-category/tailgate-support

 

[jhsocal]

Actually looked at the F-150 manual and found this as well.

 

[Badgertits]

While at SEMA I ran across a small vendor selling yellow flat steel pieces that go between the tailgate when in open position and a round piece attached to the body to enable it to support more weight than the cables can safely. I wanted to purchase them then and there but he wasn't selling from the booth, as most were not.

Sunday I'm taking my new Can Am 1000cc atv (approx weight 900 pounds) to go riding. I have a 12 foot enclosed trailer that I usually use but was thinking of just loading it in the bed instead. The rear wheels I'm fairly certain will wind up on the tailgate.

I realize the entire weight of the ATV won't be resting on the tailgate, but I'm guessing a few hundred pounds will be.

Anyone know its capacity? Thank you.

I’d be more concerned w/ total weight in bed exceeding 1200 lbs depending on weight of Atv + gear since your quad is already 900+ lbs....all my other trucks I have 2 flying F’s about overloading the payload capacity, but w/ the raptors trick shocks I don’t think it’s a good idea- just gonna reduce the life/performance of the shocks & welcome early sag.

That being said, in my GMC w/ short bed I would put my Polaris quad in there all the damn time. I haven’t used it as much this year but have made a short trip w/ it in the back of the raptor I drive it on/off w/the ramps resting on the tailgate obviously & that’s when there’s the heaviest load on the tailgate itself not when once it’s loaded in & strapped down.

The heavier end of my quad is obviously the front (I assume same for yours) - BUT I do tend to back it onto the truck if going on a long trip b/c there’s no way the quad can damage the back window/cab that way- the rear tires prevent it from moving too close- on a different truck I forgot to have the thing in gear or the brake on & one of the ratcheting straps wasn’t tight enough & the front end rolled forward slightly the rack made contact w/ my sliding rear window & shattered it lol


Either way- you’re fine loading the thing in the bed- + it looks badass, & it enables you to get the quad into tighter spots vs trailering it.

Just try a few different loading/tie down configurations find out what works best, but like I said lately been backing it up into the bed due to my bad experience the other way around....”safer” coming off facing the way too I feel like.

 

[MDJAK]

very much appreciate the replies.

Quick question. Are the cables the only thing holding the tailgate in the down position? If so, or I should say even if that is so, those cables have to have a load capacity like a small winch which would be at least 2k pounds I would think.

It's also something I'd rarely do so not worried about long term. As for my gear, it's minimal so I'd go nowhere near the 1200 limit, unless counting my 185 (on a good day) body weight.

 

[Badgertits]

very much appreciate the replies.

Quick question. Are the cables the only thing holding the tailgate in the down position? If so, or I should say even if that is so, those cables have to have a load capacity like a small winch which would be at least 2k pounds I would think.

It's also something I'd rarely do so not worried about long term. As for my gear, it's minimal so I'd go nowhere near the 1200 limit, unless counting my 185 (on a good day) body weight.

You’re overthinking it. Just drive the thing up in there lol!! I swear I’ve done it soooo many times w/ my GMC & already done handful of times w/ Raptor. If you’re really concerned drive it on vs back it on you’ll ensure the majority of weight will be toward the cab which is better for ride/Payload anyhow - your quad is a lot heavier than mine I got an old school Polaris Xplorer 400cc single cylinder 2 stroke that I’ve essentially rebuilt (probably 500-600 lbs)- it’s a fun machine tho throttle like a light switch, 4Wd, has chain & shaft drive lol,

My rap has the bed step, I don’t weigh much but I mean there are definitely 300 lb dudes that do & ive used it carrying stuff like bags of sand or crushed stone- that’s a lot of repeated weight on the tailgate too no?

Load it up, strap it down, #raptorlife

 

[jhsocal]

very much appreciate the replies.

Quick question. Are the cables the only thing holding the tailgate in the down position? If so, or I should say even if that is so, those cables have to have a load capacity like a small winch which would be at least 2k pounds I would think.

It's also something I'd rarely do so not worried about long term. As for my gear, it's minimal so I'd go nowhere near the 1200 limit, unless counting my 185 (on a good day) body weight.

Ya, I think the cables probably do have a higher load capacity but probably not for sustained support, and that's why the manual states the figures it does. I would rest assured though loading and unloading the ATV, while on it, shouldn't be a problem as ford themselves sell stowable loading ramps exactly for the purpose of loading ATV's and such. There a few videos online that show people loading their ATVs in the bed and the tailgate has to remain open because it won't fit in the bed with the tailgate closed.

 

[dilmorecg]

I was doing some research on this topic lately since I’m looking at getting a UTV and thought maybe putting it in the bed would work. What I read is the issue is not the static weight that’s the problem. It’s dynamic. When you go over bumps in the road it puts a lot of pressure if you have weight on the tailgate. The consensus was don’t do it with a UTV since they weigh too much on 1 axle. Those bars look like a great alternative option and would probably work since it’s taking the pressure off the straps.

 

[Michael Farmer]

The bars are great! They take the strain off the cables and give you peace of mind going down the road. I put our golf cart in the back when we go south for the winter. Tow our Raptor behind the motorhome. No problems.

 

[jabroni619]

Ya, I think the cables probably do have a higher load capacity but probably not for sustained support, and that's why the manual states the figures it does. I would rest assured though loading and unloading the ATV, while on it, shouldn't be a problem as ford themselves sell stowable loading ramps exactly for the purpose of loading ATV's and such. There a few videos online that show people loading their ATVs in the bed and the tailgate has to remain open because it won't fit in the bed with the tailgate closed.

Well the manual states while the vehicle is moving. This probably has to do with static load vs dynamic loading. I'll bet it can hold that for sustained periods for a LOOOONG time, but as you're hitting bumps and undulations on the road, the dynamic loading can go WELL past 150lbs.