Does anyone know what the maximum weight is that can be put on the tailgate? I am looking at buying a used golf cart (electric) and was hoping to load it onto the back of my truck...that is until I found out that a metal bodied golf cart with the batteries weighs a little over 1000 lbs. Any thoughts?

 

That's a good question. Would the rear wheels be riding on the tailgate?

My quad is about 750 lbs, and I've hauled it in the back of my short-bed truck a couple of times without issue.

 

I don't think so, I have the extended cab version with the 6.5' bed.

 

Think it was around 350-400 just the back of quad in it not the whole machine so wouldn't effect it. I read this maybe in 11-13 I had and remember thinking it was low but not much holding it up though

 

Me too. However, we have the 6-1/2' bed, so I can actually put up the tailgate (loaded). But loading/unloading was not a problem at all.

 

Loading and unloading is basically a static load. My concern would be having something heavy on the edge of the tailgate and hitting a good bounce in the road. Doesn't matter how well you strap it down, you're going to get a substantial dynamic load.

 

This is a question I had as well in case I decide to move my street bike using the bed. My truck is the 5.5' and the rear tire would be in the tailgate for sure.

 

I'd suggest angling the bike so the tire is close to one corner. What kind of bike?

 

I recall hauling Maybe a snowmobile or something with the tailgate down and I'm not sure what happened The cables stretched or something but the black plastic on the step bumper made contact with the tailgate
Needless to say I was not a happy camper
It did a nice number on it so be careful that it doesn't bounce too much
Maybe put a piece of 3/4 plywood in the bed to support it and keep it from putting stress on the tailgate?

 

Since you drive over the tailgate while riding it, the total weight is over 750 lbs. The weight restriction is more of the strength of the cables than what the tailgate itself can hold. The Ford supplied ramps are designed to clip onto the edge of the tailgate so it is stronger than you think. Hopefully that makes sense

 

Yea it's still not much the weight from riding over it is distributed quickly so probably in that range not a big deal. Now put 750 on it raw and please post your pics as a warning

 

It's a 2002 F4i. Weighs right at 400lbs.

 

That's one of the lightest street bikes out there, I wouldn't worry about damaging your tailgate with it. A Gold Wing or Boss Hoss may be a different story.

 

My old superduty had a sticker that said 350lbs

 

Simply lay in two 2x8's that span the distance from your bed front to the edge of the tail gate and remove the weight from the tailgate and let the planks carry the weight for you.

Likewise, if you roll the cart on the truck via a ramp, shore the ramps up from underneath to relieve the gate of the weight of the cart.