Tailgate Strength

As winter approaches so does snowmobile season up here in the north. Therefore my question is how strong are our tailgates. Will i bend the tailgate with ramps on it when i drive my seld up in the back end. I've seen guys with wheelers in the back end so there about the same weight.

 

There is a ton of info on this forum on the strength/weakness of the tailgate. Use the search and you will get an evenings worth of reading.

 

I'd remove the tailgate and leave it at home.

 

That'd be alot of weight for the tail gate to hold I think

 

I put a 7.5HP Ariens with home made ramps a few times last winter. No problems as of yet. The only problem is the long ass ramps I need to keep me at a good angle going up.

 

You have a 2009. It doesn't have the same tailgate as the older ones that have the TSB for bending. I haven't heard of anyone bending an '09-'10 tailgate.


That said, it's alot of weight for any tailgate

 

After installing the pop & lock on my 09 I couldn't believe how much support the tailgate is lacking. This thing is weak. I's be nervous hauling a snowmobile on my gate. I hauled my atv a few times with no issues but the snowmobile might warp it where it sits towards the middle more.

 

x2 They are too expensive.

 

here is an idea....what if you got a good 2X10 and cut it the length of the belt (i think that is what it's called, i'm talking about the big drive thing that actually hits the snow for traction, like the back wheel).

Once the 2X10 has been cut make sure it's under the belt when you pull the sled in the truck(lay the piece of wood length wise with the bed, then you will have that to evenly distribute the weight on both the bed and tailgate as well as just providing more overall survce area and even pressure.

What do you do you guys think?

 

Well, it is called the track for starters, but I wouldn't say you see them too often in CA. The lenthwise 2x10 is a good idea, and I see people doing that. I have not used my 09 with the skidoo yet, but I used to haul my 08 Renegade in my 2001. After I loaded the machine in the bed, I would lift up the rear of the skidoo up and put a 2x4 widthwise in the grove where the tailgate meets the bed. That would keep the weight off the gate when going over the bumps, but keeps the tailgate on just in case you need it, as most new snowmobiles are 9feet+ long, so the longer the bed is the better.

Another problem is the skidoos are a bit too wide to fit between the wheelwells (although some mountain machines may fit as they are narrow), so I built a small bracket just inside the wheelwells to keep the skis at the same level. This prevents the track from being tipped slightly, so it evens out the weight even more.

 

it's a 78 Moto-ski 440. they didnt make them like the monsters on the trail now. Im not to concerned with the constant weight while transporting. Its that begining weight when I drive the sled up in there. I think I will be pulling the gate off, just wanted to see if anyone else transported with these with luck. Even guys who have loaded wheelers with the tailgate. Its about the same weight.

 

My skidoo weighs around 700lbs+ with rider and fluids and I keep the tailgate on. Your moto-ski is around 390 without rider. I really dont think it will be a problem on your tailgate, it will fit between the wheelwells so it will be flat and most of the weight will be in the bed of the truck. But if you fell more comfortable with the tailgate on, I am sure it will be just fine, as it is not a long machine.