Hauling sportbike in LB, tailgate strong enough?

Got a '15 DCLB and going to be hauling my 460lb racebike in the bed. Should I be concerned with the tailgate bending, as portion of rear wheel will be sitting on the tailgate?

Is it worth looking into reinforcement plates sold by forum vendors here?

 

U can probably get away with it,but I would buy the diamond plate reinforcement available on this forum.
Your biggest problem may be the rear springs. What springs do u have? How many leafs?
I have a 3 leaf stock set,and I can't put my grizzly in the bed without bottoming out.

 

If you have the long bed then the rear tire won't be on the tailgate, you're good. When I put my bike in my truck everything is fine, no problems.

 

I put my Ducati in the bed of my 2006 DCLB while going to track days. Never had a problem whatsoever. A couple of times, I loaded my Ducati and SV in the bed. Never had a second thought about the tailgate. I added helper springs and the truck drove perfectly.

 

Tailgate upgrade:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/reinforced-steel-tailgate-skin-by-mobtown-offroad.362796/

 

I see. It's a 2015, have not looked at the # of leafs but it does sag a bit when I tow my enclosed 6x12. I was thinking of adding air bags to level out when hitched

 

Thanks look like I will be okay. Never heard of helper springs. Is that to prevent rear sag?

 

That's the one I was thinking of. Maybe 2015s have stronger tailgates?

 

Yeah, I believe mine were the Hellwig ones. They were under $100 and very easy to put on. Took all the sag out of the truck with the bikes loaded up.

 

Cheers I'm checking them out now

 

Here are the ones I used.

 

Appreciate the link. How's the ride with them installed? Does the rear sit higher unloaded? Thanks

 

Definitely reinforce the tailgate! Mine bent from stepping on it while loading some firewood. The reinforcement sheet from Relentless Fabrication finally arrived last Friday. It made a world of difference.

 

No didn't sit any higher. They only come into effect when weight is added. Didn't notice any changes in ride with an empty bed. When they bed was loaded down. The truck drove better and set level. I will be adding them to my 2015 soon.

 

But I will also be looking at adding the reinforced tailgate that others have mentioned. All for the extra support.

 

I like the Mobtown Offroad tailgate skin

 

X2. Getting the Mobtown Offroad tailgate skin and cap inexpensively, saves $1500 on a new tailgate.



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Do you have one installed? If so, were you able to stock plastic cover over the skin?

 

Yes, I have one installed. I have chosen not to reinstall the plastic cover over the steel skin, but you can do that:

 

Going to NJMP?