How Strong is the Tailgate?

[Bogdon]

Question. I have a 2008 Ranger 2wd short box. I have purchased a 800lb ATV over the weekend and plan on transporting it in the back of the ranger. The question I have is about the strength of the tailgate. Does anyone else here drive a full size ATV into the back of their Ranger? I am worried about damaging the tailgate when I drive on it, being that this is not a Full Sized Truck.

Thanks in advance for the comments.

Steve

 

[97RangerXLT]

I don't think I would rest the fate of my ATV and tailgate on two cables...

I would get a small trailer for the atv. probably be much easier to load and unload too.

or if you don't want to go that rout, I would build a floor that overhangs the tailgate but distributes the load where there is no or little weight on the tailgate itself.

AJ

 

[Jason]

I don't think I would rest the fate of my ATV and tailgate on two cables...

I would get a small trailer for the atv. probably be much easier to load and unload too.

or if you don't want to go that rout, I would build a floor that overhangs the tailgate but distributes the load where there is no or little weight on the tailgate itself.

AJ

Or just take the tailgate off.

 

[koda6966]

Well, since my tailgate groans at me and the cables feel.. stretchy when I stand on it, I wouldn't recommend doing that with your ATV.

I have seen it done, though. Mostly by people who didn't care about the truck.

I'd pop the tailgate off, it's rather simple. Then build a ramp that would boost you up to the bed of the truck over the bumper. And just pop the tailgate back on when you're done.

 

[fastpakr]

I've used it with no problem to load a motorcycle, but I can't guarantee anything beyond that.

 

[srteach]

If the cables that hold the tailgate are old, get new ones. The tailgate will hold the transient weight if it is not rotted, but don't the weight ride there. I have put a full size ATV in the bed of my truck and still had room in the bed.

 

[Toms01PSD]

I've never put my ATV in the bed of my ranger but I don't see why it wouldn't hold it.

 

[Jay FX4]

I agree with taking it off. That would make it's strength, or lack thereof, moot. And it's just a minor inconvenience.

 

[Bogdon]

Can't take it off, a little bit of the rear tire of the ATV will be resting on the Tailgate. If I remove the tailgate they would over hang too much.

Trailer is not going to happen as I live deep in the City and have no yard or driveway to store it. Getting both the truck and ATV in the garage only leaves 3" to spare.

Has anyone seen a tailgate fail due to too much weight being loaded onto it? If so how much weight was on it?

 

[94 lngbd]

For one even when your loading the ATV never is the full 800lbs at once on the tail gate. You have 2 frt tires at once ,being say 350lbs when loading into truck bed & then the rear tires which has more weight due to the location of engine & rear suspension & bigger rear tires so say 450lbs. I used to use my 94 Ranger for hauling scrap metal & there was times of me loading fireplace inserts & even 3-4 man safes into my truck & my loading ramp was attached to the tailgate & it never failed. The safe was moved using a commercial movers dolly ,So when loading into bed of truck at one point all 1200lbs was actually on the tailgate. It took me & 3 other guys to get it up the 10ft metal & plywood ramp I built.

If all the 800lbs was to be constantly sitting on just the tailgate I wouldn't recommend it ,but being that its just a portion of the weight & its not all the time ,I dont see a problem in it. Do how ever on occasion check the condition of the tailgate cables.

Its just like the car dollies weight issue's. The ones that allow you to move a vehicle around easily in a garage/shop that each tire sits on. Each one is rated at 1000 lbs but say your have them under a 3000lb vehicle only approx. 750 lbs is on each dolly.

Assuming you have a 6ft bed & the rear tires are needing to rest about 6 " onto the tailgate theres not much worry being that the strongest part of the tailgate is the bottom area & braided cables & hardware.

 

[wahlstrom1]

If it's gonna sit ON the tailgate, not just in the space between the box and the tailgate I'd lay a couple of 2x8's in the box where it'll ride so that the weight rides on the box and not on the tailgate. Loading is a non issue if your equipment is in decent shape, I've done it on a near weekly basis for the last 6 years without an problem.

 

[Bogdon]

For one even when your loading the ATV never is the full 800lbs at once on the tail gate. You have 2 frt tires at once ,being say 350lbs when loading into truck bed & then the rear tires which has more weight due to the location of engine & rear suspension & bigger rear tires so say 450lbs. I used to use my 94 Ranger for hauling scrap metal & there was times of me loading fireplace inserts & even 3-4 man safes into my truck & my loading ramp was attached to the tailgate & it never failed. The safe was moved using a commercial movers dolly ,So when loading into bed of truck at one point all 1200lbs was actually on the tailgate. It took me & 3 other guys to get it up the 10ft metal & plywood ramp I built.

If all the 800lbs was to be constantly sitting on just the tailgate I wouldn't recommend it ,but being that its just a portion of the weight & its not all the time ,I dont see a problem in it. Do how ever on occasion check the condition of the tailgate cables.

Its just like the car dollies weight issue's. The ones that allow you to move a vehicle around easily in a garage/shop that each tire sits on. Each one is rated at 1000 lbs but say your have them under a 3000lb vehicle only approx. 750 lbs is on each dolly.

Assuming you have a 6ft bed & the rear tires are needing to rest about 6 " onto the tailgate theres not much worry being that the strongest part of the tailgate is the bottom area & braided cables & hardware.

Thanks, this was the type of answer I was hoping for.

Steve

 

[Bogdon]

If it's gonna sit ON the tailgate, not just in the space between the box and the tailgate I'd lay a couple of 2x8's in the box where it'll ride so that the weight rides on the box and not on the tailgate. Loading is a non issue if your equipment is in decent shape, I've done it on a near weekly basis for the last 6 years without an problem.

Thanks, I think the think the center of the tires will be right on the crack or just slightly behind it.

 

[LearjetMinako]

If it's gonna sit ON the tailgate, not just in the space between the box and the tailgate I'd lay a couple of 2x8's in the box where it'll ride so that the weight rides on the box and not on the tailgate. Loading is a non issue if your equipment is in decent shape, I've done it on a near weekly basis for the last 6 years without an problem.

Use 2x8's if the ATV is going to over hang on the tailgate. Also the 2x8's will help keep the tailgate from bouncing when you hit a dip or bump in the road.

 

[4x4junkie]

Thanks, I think the think the center of the tires will be right on the crack or just slightly behind it.

Yeah, you'll be fine. Your truck is also new enough the cables shouldn't be corroded to the point of being weakened.


FWIW, one time I had 3 (three) adult-size ATVs (sport type ones) stood up on end in the back of my Ranger. While strapping them in I had one get away and fall completely over onto the tailgate and flop out of the truck (the frame under it's engine made a direct hit onto the end of the gate, almost taking the whole truck with it, or so it seemed lol). All that happened is the tailgate is slightly bowed about a quarter inch in the center now.
If it can more or less withstand that, the mere weight of one axle on it at a time while loading shouldn't be an issue. If the tires are at least partly supported by the bed with it fully in, I see no issues while hauling it there either.