Loading M'cycle, Avoid Bending Tailgate?

So I got my first truck. I do really like this thing, but worry about bending the tailgate when I load my ~600 lb Honda VFR into it. Any tips?

I was thinking about taking off the tailgate, but it'd be nice not to. Probably good to park the truck at the bottom of a little hill too, right? Never done this before...

How does everybody get their bike up there?

 

During reconstruction of my house, I loaded too much on my tailgate and bent it. Since then, I cut a piece of 3/4 plywood wide enough to fit between the wheel wells and long enough to reach the end of the tailgate (with it down). It gives the tailgate more strength because the weight is dispersed evenly and you can still use the tie downs. I'm assuming your tailgate is down with your bike loaded. Then I remove it for day to day use. I'd use a ramp to load it. May be expensive, but not compared to your bike.

 

I have the 2009 with the reinforced tailgate so I haven't watched it closely. But.... I think Toyota has a TSB to beef up the tailgate if it's under warranty. I also think there's a DIY tailgate reinforcement in the mods and tutorials section.

 

Here, it's #14 on this page.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/4838-cheap-free-mods.html

 

I have loaded my CBR (400-450 lbs) several times without issue. Don't try to PARK the bike on the tailgate for extended periods without some extra support- but you should be fine

 

load the bike quick and shouldnt have anything to worry about

 

yeap. cbr. no problems yet. not as heavy as a vfr though. i did just take off the tailgate once and put the ramp right on the bed to take the bike to the track. that fit just barely, and might not with the vfr.. i'm planning on reinforcing mine anyway as soon as it warms up a bit. the bike i'm not too worried about but when its the bike and me, thats a lot of weight.

 

Thanks guys, i did some rough measurements a while ago and I think i can fit her in diagonally with the tailgate up.. I'll check again soon. not in any hurry. If i bend the tailgate, do i get a new one for free? i'm still not sure about this TSB thing. i expect i'd have to pay labor at least, right? I'm still on my "toyota certified" 2000 mile/60 day warranty... should i just try it now, while i'm still under this warranty?

 

I've loaded several bikes into the bed including my '07 Suzuki M50 (550lbs) with no problems. The M50's rear tire sits on about 1/4 of the tail gate and I've driven it that way for 3-4 hours with no problems. As long as you're not driving with the tire on the end of the tail gate you should be fine.

 

My DC is pretty new to me, less than 3 months. My dirt bike will be the only bike in the bed but I think it is light enough.

As for the VFR, it should never see a trailer or the bed of a truck, it wants to be ridden, oh the shame. JK, I had a 95 VFR.

I will be trailering my ST1100 in May but only because I am bringing the dirt bike along.

I am hoping the dirt bike will be OK on the gate, I hate to use the trailer when I only have 1 bike in tote.

 

I really do love this bike, and have been putting more miles on it than any car or truck for the last few years. Maybe I should be asking "how do I load my Tacoma on my VFR?"

Anyway, I will have to try it with a ramp soon. I'm a little freaked out about dumping it halfway up the ramp. I wouldn't be riding it of course, that would just be asking for an accident.

I like the plywood idea.

On another note, I just had a dream where i was leaning out the window really far in a parking lot and the truck rolled over. I was holding it up and yelling for someone to help me flip it back over so i didn't scratch the paint! I remember looking at the scratches and saying "i didn't just do that" and this kid was like, "yeah man that sucks" and I was like "No, this is a dream, when I wake up I'll realize i didn't really do this" and here i am, lying in bed typing on my computer...

Thought someone might enjoy that!

Thanks guys.

 

my tailgate has a curve to it now from my bike(kaw636). since i noticed the curve i put a peice of wood under the length of the bike . i load it in the bed lot though

 

I just use a ramp up to the tailgate and roll it into the bed. Mine's an '05 with no reinforcements in the tailgate.

So long as you're not standing on the center of the tailgate and bouncing on it, you should be fine.

Have someone help you stabilize the bike the first time you try loading it up. After that, you should be fine on your own if no one is available.

 

Does Toyota actually state how much weight the tailgate can/can't support?

 

I would just build a ramp and jump it into the back of your truck. Easy as that! lol

 

I've loaded bikes many times in the back of my 1st-gen Tacoma. Heaviest was my BMW K1200RS (about 600 pounds).

My usual SOP is to ride the bike up my bike ramp into the bed - so that adds another 180lbs (what I weigh). Never had any problems.

I have an LA Wheel Chock in the front of the bed that I roll the front wheel into. The rear tire sticks out onto the tailgate a bit.

Hardest part is backing down if you don't have someone to spot you.

With the 2nd-gen 2010 Taco I bought a couple weeks ago, I got the tow package. Figure my 800lb Harley Road King might be just a bit much for putting in the bed - so I'll be getting a trailer.

But you should be fine with a sport or sport-touring bike in the bed.

 

Ride it in and sort of figure it out like this?

My bike is a BMW F650GS Dakar and about 400lbs give or take so I guess that will work.

 

I used a bed extender with a piece of plywood to carry two atv's in the back of my Dodge diesel. Sold the Dodge but kept the bed extender to haul bikes/atv's/long stuff and not have to haul a trailer.

 

I want one of those - just don't have a receiver hitch currently installed. That is the next thing.

Thanks

 

This is what I use to do I put a trailer ball in between the seats of my full size van and bought one of those portable boat winches with a wired remote an extended the wire accordenly hooked it to the trailer ball pulled out the cable attached that to a tie down strap around the fork and walked it up my home made ramp with remote in hand and milk box next to ramp as a step up to bed and your in nice and safe. its a good fairly cheap system the winch under $100 harbor frieght or northen tool just a thouht Roy.