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If the OP hasn't thought to consider that question, he should. There was a similar discussion a few months back and what I got out of it was that it would be prudent to not have the wheels of the ATV resting on the tailgate while driving the truck. I think that assumed that it was one of the larger ATV's not a dinky one.
The number of aftermarket solutions that came up in that thread were pretty interesting.
I load my foreman all the time zero issues with tailgate. the weak link is the cables. A company on ebay actually sells a plate that can be installed with tailgate down to support vs cable. Nice thing is it keeps the tailgate from bouncing also if not loaded. I used 9' ramps. The challenge is finding ramps narrow enough to fit between the atv wheels. I founds some on ebay 1500 lb rating. 12" wide x9' long aluminum about 20lbs a ramp. Be warned heavy ramps are akward and you may ding your truck accidentally. you want the lightest that will do the job. I had some ramps weighted 50lbs each WAY to heavy, sold on craigslist and took forever to sale.....
I bent the sheetmetal on the tailgate on my 06 F350 loading a Rhino into the bed.
After that, I built a support for the entire width of the tailgate.
Took a 2X12 and cut out notches to where it would span the width of the tailgate yet fit around the pillars where the tailgate latched.
The rear wheels of the Rhino then rode on this wood and I didn't have any more issues after that.
I bent the sheetmetal on the tailgate on my 06 F350 loading a Rhino into the bed.
After that, I built a support for the entire width of the tailgate.
Took a 2X12 and cut out notches to where it would span the width of the tailgate yet fit around the pillars where the tailgate latched.
The rear wheels of the Rhino then rode on this wood and I didn't have any more issues after that.
This happened on my'08 Tundra also from my Honda Foreman 4 wheeler. I had a tool box in the bed, so the rear wheels rested on the tailgate while driving. I guess I hit some pretty good bumps causing the right rear tire to actually dent the tailgate sheet metal. I will not travel with a 4 wheeler resting on the tailgate without a piece of plywood or something to spread the load.
When the 4 wheeler is loaded, it's not on the tailgate, i'm able to close it with no problem. My concern was the actual loading, was it too heavy to damage the tailgate. Even though it's quick.
When the 4 wheeler is loaded, it's not on the tailgate, i'm able to close it with no problem. My concern was the actual loading, was it too heavy to damage the tailgate. Even though it's quick.
In that case, you should be good. JMO My comment was to help others avoide the same mistake I made.