Stock Tail Gate Weight Limitations

Sounds about right.

 

It seems fine,, but it's banana'd?
I was going to say- overloading the tailgate won't give any notice. It works one second, the next? it buckles w/o notice, and you are done for.
If I had to guess, bending the tailgate, or any other bodywork, is what OP and most others are trying to avoid.

 

I have such a hard time trusting the tie downs in my Tacoma.

 

Whole problem begins here

 

I built a cross bar that runs off my hitch receiver that I set my ramps into before the tailgate so the weight is not directly on the tailgate. Those tailgates will start to fold if you put anymore than 400 lbs on them.

 

When it comes to boats, Utes, and pea gravel, trailer really is the best tool for the job. I also don't understand why people really dig their heels against them. It's weird. Some people will react like the word 'trailer' is an insult against their ancestors.

Sometimes its not a question of "can the truck haul it," but instead we should be asking "can I safely load and then unload it." Me personally, I hate sketchy, skinny ass ramps. If, in the unlikely event, a truck ramp goes sideways, its really damn difficult to recover without thrashing everything. Hell, I once rented a trailer to move a 300 pound smoker, just so I wouldn't have to lift it to bed height.

 

Ramp setups work great if done right. They can save you the hassles from hauling, and parking a 10' trailer. I've done both. I would agree towing a small boat, or a snowmobile works out better with a trailer, but driving a small quad, bike, or lawn tractor into the bed using a ramp system is fine also.

 

I think the problem is most people who have never owned a trailer don't want to deal with one. Or they don't want to look like a fool that can't backup a trailer. I agree it is much easier to use a trailer than to load large items into the bed of a pickup. I couldn't be without a simple 5x8 landscape trailer. It is so useful, from firewood, helping friends and kids move, garbage dump runs, lawn tractor, motorcycles and construction materials, once you own one you'll find that it is incredibly useful.

 

Thanks all for the insight. My question was driven from this: I have two identical ATV and the appropriate trailer to haul them. Wife is no longer interested in ATVing, so was trying to "economize" my time and efforts hitting the trails by myself. Since the Honda ATV is relatively small on today's standards and only 600 pounds thought the truck bed would be an easy option. I'm finding I'm wrong. It pays to seek advise on TW.
Cheers

 

I have an 8 foot bed on my 94 f350. I completely understand.

 

I have a ramp system I originally made for my gen1 tundra that works out great for anything I can fit between the wheel wells of my tacoma's bed. For bigger stuff I have an aluma 10' utility trailer. I have to say I like both equally as well. Each has their advantages.