Hello,

Just got a kawi Brute Force 650 to pull my jetski around on the beaches. In order to pull the ski on the trailer, the atv needs to go in the bed. I have a 5.5 bed with a tool box. Brought it home with the atv on the tailgate (see pic). Is the tailgate/cabling strong enough for this? I believe the whole atv weighs 640lbs. I was thinking about putting a stiff 2x10 under each side to aleviate some of the weight.

Thanks


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If your going to haul the atv in the bed, ditch the toolbox. I've seen tailgate cables snap before when guys ride their atv's into the back of the truck. I personally would not have the atv sit on the gate. If you choose to do it, don't cry when the cables snap and destroy your gate and bumper

 

i agree, i wouldnt haul it like that. take the tool box out and then haul it in the bed, thats the reason i wont own a 5.5' bed

and then i would pull it in the bed so the rear tires are towards the back of the truck since thats the lighter part of the atv

 

Concur with the above.

I keep seeing references to ~500lb static loading on the gate. In real terms, shock loading due to bumps, etc will toss that figure out the window.

Some folks run a 1" sheet of plywood 4x8 (cut to fit completely to the edge of the gate) to help distribute the load some. I've even seen two stacked layers of same. Overkill? Naw ....

Still would never do it myself. The damage if those cables let go, is severe.

MGD

 

I agree with the others. My question is how are you going to pull a trailer with the end gate down ? Hope the trailer has a long tongue, I know mine would never work like that.

 

A flat deck on top would be nice or something similar to this. May not be great on the bedsides, but with just one atv it shouldn't be bad, or put a support in the center.
http://boise.craigslist.org/rvs/2975789400.html

 

thats a one reason i got a 6.5' bed this time. That 5.5' bed sucks. removing the tool box looks like the best idea i could see to get a little more weight off the gate.. Or get a trailer and pull your 4wheeler hooked to the jet skis up on that trailer. id rahter do that then drop my tail gate on the highway

 

I have never left an ATV sitting on the gate while transporting it, but I have loaded ATVs that were over 1000 pounds plus driver (170) over the gate of a Super Duty. I have not yet done the same with my F150 but it's worth a try!

 

I've seen a lot of people (with tool boxes in their bed) put the front wheels of the ATV on top of the tool box and close the gate. I'm not sure if that's a better idea (or even a good idea at all) than the tailgate set up you're doing, but I do see it done often and they looked to be strapped down well.

 

Toss the toolbox.. That way you can also use your bed a good bit more when the 4 wheeler isn't there.

 

This is the exact reason I wonder why in the world anyone would want a 5.5 foot bed...

 

thats my thought^, with a 5.5ft bed you can still do stuff. but take 1.5 or 2 feet out for a tool box.... it's getting crammed...

 

Call me crazy, and I'm sure many will, but I have hauled my Can Am 800 many many trips in my 5.5 ft bed with a tool box, and pulling a trailer. Never have had any problems, but I agree ditching the toolbox while hauling is a better idea.

 

Get a cloth tool bag for your tools and take out the tool box when you take the ATV in the bed. With the cloth tool bag you can fit it just about anywhere because it changes shape.

That's why I like bikes over 4 wheelers, they fit diagonal.

 

good straps and front wheels on the box if you have to keep it. gates are not meant for more than a couples ***'s.