2016+ Tailgate Weight Rating

You've got 14k more until you are out of warranty.

3yr 36k warranty. Not to be confused with Toyotacare free maintenance that is 2 yr 25k.

 

I'm 230lbs and I've used ramps to load a 180lbs dirt bike....no issues. Both my wife and myself have set on it at the same time as well. Seems strong enough and did not notice any flexing

 

For what its worth, it took a 760 pound oil tank teetering on the edge of my Gen 1 tailgate to bend it. (see profile pic). I didn't intend on putting all that weight on two square inches of tailgate but the only way to unload it at the scrap yard was to back up fast and hit the brakes. I should have backed up faster. The gate was still funcionall but was bowed out a bit. I'm hoping my 3rd gen tailgate is stronger than that.(No, I will not be putting 760 pounds on it)

The salesman told me to remove the tailgate every time I use ramps to load or unload my 4 wheeler on my '16. LOL

 

^ removing tailgate and putting ramps to the end of truck bed is the only 'OSHA' way to do it

when you crack open tailgate and see how little metal is between the plastic cover and opposite side
you know one bad heavy move will bend it

and then the cable, look carefully at how they are capped and connected...that shit is not bro-rated by any means

 

Liability is king.

Putting it all on the owner avoids headaches.

Toyota says just to remove it whenever you actually use your bed and be careful when doing so, as any extra weight or forces will destroy it as its outside their design parameters.

 

I hear ya. I'll probably at least get one of those steel reinforcing skins to replace the plastic one.
I also looked into getting tailgate support brackets like the ones made by DG Manufacturing. When I asked them why they don't list them for Toyota this is the reply that I got,

"All the Toyota's are made with 1970 style latching systems, although they are sufficient for holding their tailgates closed it is not a very strong design. Our DGM Tailgate Supports are designed to install into every trucks tailgate latching system so you would not have to make any modifications to your truck. All trucks except Toyota have strong designed latching systems that work great with out products. We have been trying to design a good, safe model for the Toyota and hope that we will come up with a solution soon or hope that Toyota will bring their latching system into the 21st century.

Thank you for your interest and questions, I hope that my answer was satisfactory."

 

I have jumped up and down on the center of the tailgate in what should be the most vulnerable spot, and despite being 175lbs, it appears solid. Tried to get Mobtown Offroad to do a reinforcement but he won't do it without 10 buyers having paid in full. Asked a guy locally about it and he offered to do it for $350. Pretty steep.

 

Ask Jerry at BAMF. He is very onboard with making new products for the 3rd gens and despite what appears to sound like an overall update and increase on tailgate design. These 3rd gens could definitely use the extra support and reinforcement of a steel plate under the skin. He should be able to get a donor 3rd gen and start cranking them out very quick like. Weighing in at anywhere from 17-20lbs it should be no problem to produce and ship them out as well on his behalf.

I'll page him for you @JLee, these guys require your metal magic and expertise.

 

I'd bet 10 buyers would be willing to do so.

If you're really interested I'd make a thread and present the idea, with a link and pictures of the 2nd gen tailgate reinforcement panel that he offers and see how much interest there is.

 

Thanks for the tag but your not going to see a one off design be built for very cheap. If there is a demand Sure I'm willing to design a part but I've got a lot of other things were doing at the moment so the demand would have to be large!

 

Don't bother the man... he's got some sliders to make (including mine).

 

The quote from the Toyota rep about the gate being "rated to support only its own weight" is definitely real. You are correct too though that the recommendation to remove the gate for heavy ramp loads is my own. I just don't want to risk it on a brand new truck. Maybe in a couple of years! Haha

 

Yes @JoeyDel, that was my intent. It would be nice if Toyota told us what we could safely do with it. The insights others have already offered here are probably more accurate for what it can handle than the "0" Toyota gave me.

 

Don't worry. It's not like he is a one man show any longer.

 

The new tailgate really is strong, but I've destroyed the tailgate on every truck I've owned. Under heavy use I suspect it would suffer the same fate within 5-10 years. It appears that if I want reinforcement I'll need to pay my local guy the premium for a one-off design and build. I'll post pics once I get it done.

 

I'm 280lbs and have stood on it, no issues. Have also stood on a 2nd gen tailgate which is way less beefy than the 3rd gens, that didn't hurt either.

 

Adding 20 lbs to the tailgate might affect the "easy lower" function.

 

How does the easy lower function work btw, do you know? Is it a strut?

 

^this. the reinforced lip that I added affected it slightly. 10 more lbs and it would probably drop like there was no easy lower function.

 

Oh I see. Well there is a tradeoff if that is the case then. What would you like, strength, or convenience? You can't have your cake and eat it too.