Anybody have a definitive answer from Ford on how much weight our tailgates can handle?
I want to haul a motorcycle and the rear tire will have to rest on the tailgate. Not only that, the bike will have to roll across the gate when loading.BTW, it's a H-D Road King.
Also, has anyone replaced the hinge with something more substantial to give it increased strength?
Thansks

 

Don't know how accurate these yahoos were, just passing it along...

https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/000448.html

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1999 Ford F150 Lariat RegCab 2WD shortbed 5.4L 3.55LS Towpkg Line-X
15.714@85.21

 

Raoul,
Interesting thread. Thanks for posting it.
Looks like I would be pushing its limits.
Hmmm.

 

I hauled some 22' palm trees one at a time, the root ***** were as wide as the truck bed. Anyway they were around 1,000 pounds each and I had to roll them over the tailgate to get them out, when I was done I noticed the inside of the tailgate was sunk in. I would think 4 or 500lbs is safe with out damage.

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01 supercrew,4x2,all black,5.4,captains chairs,355 ltd slip,trailer tow grp,remote keyless entry.
(MODS)gibson supertruck,K&N generation II air intake,expy console,lund intercepter,A.R.E LSII hard tonneau,tinted windows,E&G classics mesh speed grill,mud gaurds,ford seat covers, bed liner,ventvisor's,westin chrome nerf bars,smittybuilt outland sport bumper guard,KC highlights, Hella fogs, Jensen flip down 6.8 TV, santeca 4" TV in passenger sunvisor,DVD player,panosonic cdqf800 fm-cd,pioneer 6865 speakers.

 

I liked the idea of the plywood.

If my math is correct, and your bike is 50/50 on each wheel, then 50% would be on the tailgate. With the plywood in place, if 75% of the plywood is in the bed, wouldn't 75% of the weight be in the bed?

 

I have a H-D Fatboy that weighs almost as much as any bike. I also had a Ranger with a short bed, the bike had to ride with the back wheel several inches onto the tailgate. I drove the truck with bike to and from Sturgis,SD. (3,200 mi.)a few years ago and all was well until I went across some roads that were wavy. The rolling waves in the road caused the tailgate to really loosen up on the hinges, I did not notice this until I got home. The flat section of the tailgate was not hurt. I may place the bike on my F-150 but I will put a plank under the wheels to distribute the weight off the tailgate. Driving across the tailgate will not damage it, but be safe and lay a piece of plywood down first. Also lay a piece of wood under the kickstand or leave it up. Also keep in mind a Ranger's tailgate is narrower than an f-150's so it may be able to carry more weight.

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2000 F-150, XLT, SC, 5.4, 4X4, 355 LS, ORP, Black/Silver, class III, single CD, sliding glass, med. gray, keyless, elect. shift, engine date 8-18-99, Superchip. 2.02" corrected radiator-F75Z-8005-GA --- '93 Harley Fatboy Black & tons of chrome

 

I happened to be at the local Yamaha dealer last Saturday. A Chevy brought in a wrecked Royal Star. (big bike) It rolled off the tailgate and down a ramp with no problem. He used the plywood system too. That might be the hot ticket.

 

What does a German Shepherd and a Harley Davidson have in common?


They both like to ride in the back of pick-up trucks.

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2000 F-150 XLT Supercab 4X4,5.4,Off Road,Tow Pkg