Tailgate load limit
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 784
Likes: 27
From: Toronto
Tailgate load limit
I'm thinking of purchasing a side by side ATV. I have a trailer large enough to carry it but occasionally I would like to carry it in the back of the truck. The rear tires would be at the very end of the tailgate. The side by side weighs 1,400 lbs. I'm thinking of using a sheet of 3/4" plywood to help distribute the weight. This means that the tailgate would have to support at least 700 lbs.
Anyone carrying this amount of weight on the tailgate?
Anyone carrying this amount of weight on the tailgate?
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 784
Likes: 27
From: Toronto
I may lay down a couple of 2X12 planks under the plywood to help distribute the weight. Just wondered if anyone has done it.
Thanks for your reply.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,175
Likes: 8,045
From: Texas
I'm thinking of purchasing a side by side ATV. I have a trailer large enough to carry it but occasionally I would like to carry it in the back of the truck. The rear tires would be at the very end of the tailgate. The side by side weighs 1,400 lbs. I'm thinking of using a sheet of 3/4" plywood to help distribute the weight. This means that the tailgate would have to support at least 700 lbs.
Anyone carrying this amount of weight on the tailgate?
Anyone carrying this amount of weight on the tailgate?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,841
Likes: 4,132
From: Jacksonville
I would be reluctant to put that much weight on it. You could add some 2 x 12's as runners to beef it up. Will it fit between the wheel wells? What about a Diamondback cover? You could haul it on top and still have the bed to store your gear.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 784
Likes: 27
From: Toronto
Looking at the Maverick Trail. It's 50" wide and specs show 1,364 lbs. Once I add fuel and accessories I will likely exceed 1,500 lbs.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 784
Likes: 27
From: Toronto
Thanks. I'll have a look at it.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Western MA
Well if you place the engine towards the cab and use the 3/4 plywood then the tailgate won’t actually be supporting 700lbs.
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,123
Likes: 657
From: NH
The factory tailgate step is rated to hold 350lbs and likely has a safety margin beyond that...plus it is cantilevered further away from the tailgate. I'd say the tailgate could hold 700lbs without too much issue. You just don't want it to bounce much in motion.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,711
Likes: 12,853
From: Wyoming
While loading the ATV into the bed the tailgate will end up supporting a lot of that 1,400 lbs. I would be worried about that a lot more than I would the weight on the tailgate while traveling. As LiquidStream said above, load it in backwards to get the weight of the engine towards the cab.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,123
Likes: 657
From: NH
Jim - True, but when I transport a one-ton pallet of wood pellets home (which I do several times a winter) the fork truck driver originally sets the pallet in which ends up with about 50% of the load on the tailgate and 50% on the end of the bed until he can back out, reposition, and skid the pallet in. There hasn't been an issue with this.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 784
Likes: 27
From: Toronto
Thanks everyone. I think I'll give it a try with a couple of 2X12's and 3/4 plywood. I will also take LiquidStream suggestion and load it backwards.
Now it's time to go shopping!!
Now it's time to go shopping!!
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 784
Likes: 27
From: Toronto
Jim - True, but when I transport a one-ton pallet of wood pellets home (which I do several times a winter) the fork truck driver originally sets the pallet in which ends up with about 50% of the load on the tailgate and 50% on the end of the bed until he can back out, reposition, and skid the pallet in. There hasn't been an issue with this.
Thanks
Bob
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 784
Likes: 27
From: Toronto
Thanks. I wasn't aware of these. They look like a great product at a reasonable price.