Sportsmans ATV in short box- to heavy?

Need advice, I want to haul my atv 3,200 miles and worried about causing damage to the truck. Any ideas on what I could do to keep the atv from riding on the tailgate. Toyota dealer suggested I have someone fabricate something that the atv would sit on. They werent much help. My husband passed away and so I'm on my own.
I was able to fit my Polaris Sportsmans 550 XP in the back of my short box and it just fit. The tailgate did take the weight. ATV was straped to the hooks on the side where the tailgate closes instead of the tie downs on the floor of the bed. When ATV was in the box (did ride nice), I stopped for gas and the door to the gas cap really made a creaking sound but no real damage. Also after atv came out we think because of where it was straped down, the tailgate wouldn't close until some adjustments were made to those hooks. (I hope that is all it is). I still had the stock tires on and they rode/slid between the wheelwells, but was a tight fit.
Any suggestions? I will try to upload a photo. Thanks in advance.
(I do have an enclosed trailer but don't want to haul it that distance).

 

I wonder if you cut some 1" plywood to fit from front of the bed to the end of the tailgate would help distribute the load?

 

That sounds like a good idea, Thanks. I will just have to have someone figure out what/how the plywood would get set/stationed so it would hold and stay when loading and unloading. Do I need to worry about driving a long distance with over max load weight with this truck? Driving to western edge of Montana through mountains?

 

I think your ATV would load fine on the plywood

It's not safe or recommend to tow over the max weight limit of any vehicle.

 

Sorry to hear about your husband passing.

You could cut the plywood so it fits around the rear wheel wells... That should hold it in with the ATV on top...

For me personally, I'd probably rent a trailer or buy an open trailer for that.

Good luck!

 

Your not gonna be above the capacity with an atv. That thing probably is 600 pounds or so. I would tie it down to something besides the tailgate latch though.

 

I agree. When I originally read the OP question, I thought she meant she had additional cargo or even a trailer to haul over the mountain that would be above 6500 lbs. Unless you have 500 lbs of other cargo + the 600/700 lbs ATV, you're fine.

The TSB springs would be nice to have if you still have the 3/36k warranty left.

 

use the trailer... That ATV looks like it will snap your gate clean off!

 

I have a Honda Rancher I think it would weigh about the same as your Polaris. I live in Oklahoma but bought it from my Grandpa in Mississippi. I had an 07 short bed Tacoma at the time and had no problems with it in the back. The rear tires were on the tailgate but it was fine. I strapped the front of the ATV to the siderail hooks and the rear to the hooks on the floor of the bed. I put two 2x4s across the front of the bed so the front tires could go up against them and my ATV wouldn't hit my back window. Hope this helps and good luck!

 

I have a friend that transports his this was. Plywood on top of the wheel wells and then cut and braced the back part as a ramp and just drives right on. Just don't ever tie it down using the bed rail hooks. Those thing don't hold crap and it could slide off.

 

I want to thank you guys so much for all the great feedback. I'm glad I found this site. The plywood is the way to go for me, just waiting for a friend of mine to set me up. See if going above the wheel wells will work for me or not. The question about the springs, I looked and I have only 3 leaf springs on each side. So I'm researching that so I know what I'm talking about before I call or stop at the dealership. I am still under warranty though.
As far as weight go's, atv is like 683 lbs. plus accessories, baggage, tools, etc. It's closer to 800 lbs. + Lg. dog Rascal,myself, luggage I will be well over the 1200 lbs.
If I find someone to go with, that would really put me over but someone told me don't worry about that, over max weight won't hurt nothing?