Have new S'Crew and would like to know what the maximum tailgate rating is. I have a heavy Polaris ATV and will be going on several trips a year. My atv weighs with all of its accessories about 700 lbs. I weigh 250 lbs. I have bought an atv ramp to load/unload so the weight of me and my quad will be distributed 50% to the ground. Do I need to worry about the cables snapping or the gate bending?

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KB, Surf City, CA

 

As I remember I think it says in the manual not have more than 100 lbs on the tailgate. I have been using mine to haul my 215 lb dirt bike and my 500 lb Harley has been in there a couple of times as well. My tailgate has caved in a little from this excessive weight. I built a platform out of two pieces of 1/2" plywood (one piece of 3/4" would be fine, I used what was lying around) to bridge the tailgate with the bed and help distribute the weight load (it's like a temporary footing). It is easy to slide in and I have not noticed any additional caving/bowing of the tailgate since I've been using it.

I don't know what the cables are rated at but I have not had a problem so far. I've put roughly 1,500-2,000 miles on my truck with a motorcycle in it.

If you plan on hauling your 700 lb ATV often, I would recommend a trailer. I'm not going to haul my Harley with it anymore. The 215 lb dirt bike is about as far as I want to push it.
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2001 Supercrew 4x4 XLT Harvest Gold, 5.4L, Bed Extender, 6 disc CD changer, Limited Slip, Keyless Entry...
MODS: K&N filter, Trenz billet grille, Rhino Bed Liner...





[This message has been edited by CASUPERCREW (edited 08-21-2000).]

 

100 Pounds ???!!!???

Geez -- I'm not supposed to SIT on it??

Gotta get out that manual.

 

It's gotta be more than 100lbs. I've had tailgate parties with at least 300 lbs of parents and kids on the gate.

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2001 SuperCrew Lariat4x2
Amazon Green Med Parchment Captains Chairs
Rear sliding Window MoonRoof Tow package
3.55 LSD / Mods: Line-X
Access Cover
GPS http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...0097&a=5743197




[This message has been edited by John in Cal (edited 08-21-2000).]

 

I think the rating of the tailgate is 200 pounds. That said I know with me and 2 of my buddies sitting on mine several times we've had over 600 pounds on it. To load an ATV with a set of ramps you should not have any trouble. I've seen several snomobiles loaded with ramps into the back of trucks and no one has any trouble. ATV's as well, they're all over.

-jeff b.


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2000 F150 4x4 SC/SB 5.4 Auto, Tow Package, ORP (with the sticker for 2000), Cab Steps, Lariet.
Oxford White/Harvest Gold 2 tone.

 

I've had a large freezer (well over 100 lbs) and 2 men standing on it before. It did not cave in at all.

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1998 F-150 XLT SC 5.4L

 

It probably is more than 100 lbs, I was not sure, but I do remember it was very low and figured Ford was being conservative. As far as the bowing, if the weight is concentrated in a small area, it will bow, I.E. tires only touching the gate. Especially when you are talking about traveling long distances to ride your ATV/motorcycle time and time again. The ocasional freezer trip across town probably wouldn't bother it.