Tailgate Strength
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 234
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From: Texas
Tailgate Strength
So every couple of weeks I have to haul a 2k# round bale in the bed. Up to this point I have removing the tailgate (which I believe to much heavier than my 04 ) and doing the ole back up really fast and braking quickly to let the momentum roll the bale out of the bed and on to the ground. Kubota tractor doesnt have enough umphh to handle the bale with the front loader. I have to move it around with the 3 point spear.
My question is....what are the thoughts on leaving the tailgate on while performing this manuever? Will the cables hold? will the plastic inside liner hold up? Bad idea all the way around?
My question is....what are the thoughts on leaving the tailgate on while performing this manuever? Will the cables hold? will the plastic inside liner hold up? Bad idea all the way around?
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
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So every couple of weeks I have to haul a 2k# round bale in the bed. Up to this point I have removing the tailgate (which I believe to much heavier than my 04 ) and doing the ole back up really fast and braking quickly to let the momentum roll the bale out of the bed and on to the ground. Kubota tractor doesnt have enough umphh to handle the bale with the front loader. I have to move it around with the 3 point spear.
My question is....what are the thoughts on leaving the tailgate on while performing this manuever? Will the cables hold? will the plastic inside liner hold up? Bad idea all the way around?
My question is....what are the thoughts on leaving the tailgate on while performing this manuever? Will the cables hold? will the plastic inside liner hold up? Bad idea all the way around?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
So every couple of weeks I have to haul a 2k# round bale in the bed. Up to this point I have removing the tailgate (which I believe to much heavier than my 04 ) and doing the ole back up really fast and braking quickly to let the momentum roll the bale out of the bed and on to the ground. Kubota tractor doesnt have enough umphh to handle the bale with the front loader. I have to move it around with the 3 point spear.
My question is....what are the thoughts on leaving the tailgate on while performing this manuever? Will the cables hold? will the plastic inside liner hold up? Bad idea all the way around?
My question is....what are the thoughts on leaving the tailgate on while performing this manuever? Will the cables hold? will the plastic inside liner hold up? Bad idea all the way around?
There's probably some engineering specs around that would answer that. I remember reading something a while back about the man step being able to handle 700 lbs. If so, you're talking about a load focused onto two small points off center on at the farthest edge of the tailgate.
2,000 lbs equally distributed for a short period of time? The cables are probably up to the task, but I'd be more concerned about their attachment points to the tailgate and the truck bed.
Too many unknowns. Only way to know for sure is to roll one off and make sure you get it on video. You'll understand if I don't volunteer my truck for the experiment...
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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I often haul a pallet of feed, 50 bags of 50lbs each. When they load it in the truck, a lot of the weight rests on the tailgate at first until they push the pallet all the way into the bed. Never had a problem with it yet.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: WY
My son-in-law tried that back-up to unload technique with my 97 GMC a few years ago with rail road ties. Broke both cables, dented my tailgate when it hit the bumper, ripped the pretty shiny tailgate protector cap off the top of the tailgate. I had the hard plastic bed liner at the time so everything always slid around back there. The ties hung up on the protector, all the weight stayed on the extreme end of the gate. Way too much weight for too long. I think the hardest part was he had to fess up to what he did. 
If you could put the hay in there so that it would actually roll out, I bet you wouldn't have much issue. I'm not sure I personally would employ that technique, tho. Let us know if you do.
If you could put the hay in there so that it would actually roll out, I bet you wouldn't have much issue. I'm not sure I personally would employ that technique, tho. Let us know if you do.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2011
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Both my 02 and 04 350s had their tailgates bent by tossing a 40 lb square bale. now that is pathetic
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Senior User
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From: Northern VA
350lbs. That's what's in the manual.
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From: Isanti, MN
Great idea, I don't think I would have thought of that!
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: SpringHill,Fl
they make a support for long loads that uses the trailer hitch...
if you took a sheet of plywood and pinned it to the support, the weight would be on that.
when finished unpin the plywood and slide it in, and the bar weighs a lot less than the tailgate.
I think something like this could be custom made to fit close to the tailgate...i would use 2x2 with 1/4 inch wall thickness for strength and 3/4 inch plywood.
Darby Extend-A-Truck Hitch Mounted Load Extender - Roof or Truck Bed Darby Hitch Cargo Carrier DTA944
if you took a sheet of plywood and pinned it to the support, the weight would be on that.
when finished unpin the plywood and slide it in, and the bar weighs a lot less than the tailgate.
I think something like this could be custom made to fit close to the tailgate...i would use 2x2 with 1/4 inch wall thickness for strength and 3/4 inch plywood.
Darby Extend-A-Truck Hitch Mounted Load Extender - Roof or Truck Bed Darby Hitch Cargo Carrier DTA944
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
If I did this twice/month I would def come up with something. Using something long in the bed while incorporating the hitch is a good idea. You can even make a slight slope to make the unload a little downhill.
Super Duty
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,525
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From: NW IN.
No way I would chance it. The load extender is a great idea but at a capacity of 350# that doesn't seem to be an option.
I'd go without the tailgate. If you really want to find out if it will work though, I'd buy one from a junkyard for a test run.
I'd go without the tailgate. If you really want to find out if it will work though, I'd buy one from a junkyard for a test run.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: North of Salt Lake City
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Sugar Land, TX
The sticker on my man step says 350 lbs. I'm guessing it's the same for the stripper pole as well (man, that could hold a BIG stripper).