Hi all, I'm ordering a new SuperCrew, and want to carry my motorcycle in the bed. Is it safe to drive with the rear wheel resting on the tailgate? (The bike weighs approximately 500 lbs.) Or, do I need to rest it on something that distributes the weight so that not so much load is on the gate? (i.e. Rest it on a 2x8 or a metal ramp or other implement so that most of the load which would be on the gate is distributed to the bed.)

Also, any suggestions as to some good ramp solutions for getting the bike up there? Any & all comments appreciated. TNX...

-- Jim

 

I have a wolverine 4x4 quad which I put in the back of my Screw and I have had know problems. I never even thought that there might be to much weight on the tailgate, if anybody knows how much weight you can put on the tailgate please tell?

 

As I remember I think it says in the manual not have more than 200 lbs on the tailgate. I thinkk that's a pretty conservative number. Two people sitting on it would exceed that! 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 4'x4'platform out of two pieces of 1/2" plywood stacked (one piece of 3/4" would be fine, I used what was lying around) and 2x4's to bridge the tailgate with the bed and help distribute the weight load. It is easy to slide in and I have not noticed any additional caving/bowing of the tailgate since I've been using it. If placed strategically, the 2x4's also help keep the rear wheel of the motorcycle in place.

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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...

 

On the tailgate I think it says the max load is 100lbs, but that wouldn't even be one person sitting or standing - this is clearly a for-liability-purposes-only warning.

I think the best solution will be to use a 4x7 1" piece of plywood to rest the bike on, which should hopefully distribute the load evenly and reduce the load on the gate significantly.

-- J