Hauling in the bed

[TundraConsultant]

Toyota did realese a statement early this year about weight on the tailgate and issues of bending or denting. The dealership seemed to be very inconsiderate.

[wildbill23c]

I just got my first ATV, and I bought a trailer. Either buy a trailer for your ATV's or take the tailgate off when you load your ATV. Even my new Yamaha Grizzly 450 weights 624 pounds. I've just never liked driving anything up into the back of a truck like that, the trailer sits much lower, has a tilt bed, and plenty of tiedown space, plus I still have my truck bed for the rest of my gear. Even when I loaded my Craftsman riding mower into the back of my F250 pickup I removed the tailgate first. Its just easier and less of a chance on damage that way.

Although I see the point though, you would think a truck would have a strong enough tailgate to withstand weight, but since the owner's manuals don't have a weight limit I would say that you guys would be entitled to a replacement tailgate. And I've never seen any weight ratings on any tailgate on any vehicle.

[goneballistic]

Originally Posted by wildbill23c

I just got my first ATV, and I bought a trailer. Either buy a trailer for your ATV's or take the tailgate off when you load your ATV. Even my new Yamaha Grizzly 450 weights 624 pounds. I've just never liked driving anything up into the back of a truck like that, the trailer sits much lower, has a tilt bed, and plenty of tiedown space, plus I still have my truck bed for the rest of my gear. Even when I loaded my Craftsman riding mower into the back of my F250 pickup I removed the tailgate first. Its just easier and less of a chance on damage that way.

Although I see the point though, you would think a truck would have a strong enough tailgate to withstand weight, but since the owner's manuals don't have a weight limit I would say that you guys would be entitled to a replacement tailgate. And I've never seen any weight ratings on any tailgate on any vehicle.

I don't believe it could be said any better than that. I just got my '07 Tundra yesterday, and I've noticed the tailgate does seem a bit light. That said, I just take it for granted that tailgates are for restraining loads, not bearing them. Put a ramp at the edge of the gate, run 700+lbs of man and machine up that ramp, and the leverage stress on the tailgate would be incredible. Ramps should rest on the rear of the bed. Loads that extend past the bed should rest on a bed extension. I'm not talking lumber hanging over the edge, but an ATV does bounce some, even under ratchet ties, which btw, could have increased the loading. The plywood sounds like a great idea, and much less expensive than a bed extension.

Myself, I've got a Leer cover on order. It just fits my needs for my truck bed to be a secure, weatherproof cargo space. For my ATV and all other big loads, I use my trailer. For the reasons quoted above. Carries more than the truck, too. The tubular frame 5.5' x 10', 560 lb trailer that I have, has a 3k lb axle, and will haul almost a metric ton, 2160 lb.

[WhiteFang]

Originally Posted by VonBarrett

1000 pounds but its all distributed evanly over the lenght of the bed. so what is the limit? 100? 200?

In the case of the Rhino the weight is distributed to each of it's four wheels. The weight is at the contact point and if two of the wheels are on the tailgate, then you're gonna have issues.

[RussianRoman]

He said it's a 2006. I think there would be just a little improvement on the newer models?

[jpnca]

Originally Posted by prometheus

How do you know he was a flamer? Perhaps he had a legitimate concern. If he told the story correctly about what the dealer told him, the dealer did not handle it right.

I would guess he is. The story is not the same but close, the 07s are the one with the issue not 06s

[RhinoBill]

I loaded my Rhino in the bed of my previously owned 05 Tundra reg cab
long bed and noticed 2 small dents on the inside bottom of the tailgate
where the wheels rolled over it. The bed was long enough where the
rear wheels rested on the bed and not on the tailgate. On the Yamaha
website the pickup they used in their promotion video to show it could be
loaded in a reg size pickup was a Tundra reg cab long bed. I believe this
denting problem would be common to most makes of the half ton pu without
taking measures to prevent it. I have not loaded it in the bed of my 08
Tundra with the 6.5' bed but was considering trying the plywood thing
maybe using inch thick wood. Any comments appreciated. Thanks

[Toyotarocks]

I've had a rhino for a couple of years, it weighs about 1100 lbs.

I used to haul it in my 03 Chevy with no problems, but that had a MUCH stronger bed than the Tundra.

IMO, Tundra's are for haulin a$$, but not haulin much else.

[4x4 Tundra]

Originally Posted by Toyotarocks

IMO, Tundra's are for haulin a$$, but not haulin much else.

(not mine, but from another post)

[MX hauler]

Wish I had seen this 2 weeks ago. I broke my tailgate the first time I loaded up my Tundra. Now I am going to remove the tailgate before I haul my bikes again.