Strength of Tail Gate Cables

Hey,

I had my machinist friend make me a reinforced 1/8 steel plate that slides under my factory plastic to prevent it from bending and just making it overall more durable, the only issue is that it is kinda heavy. How much weight are the stock tail gate cables rated for?

 

1/8” plate shouldn’t be a big deal for the cables. There are similar skin-type reinforcements being sold on this site.

 

They use 14 gauge usually, I think 1/8 = 11 gauge

 

Still, as long as you are letting it down gently and not slamming it, it should be good. It’s not a ton of extra weight.

 

Well I'm more thinking of weight on top of it, like my wife and I sitting on the back, or a ATV or couple of dirt bikes. I was wondering if there are any Heavy Duty alternatives

 

You'll be more then fine with stock cables. Its the tailgate that is weak, the cables will support much more.

 

I can sit on my tailgate, its bent from loading MC's but the cables are strong enough to hold. I'm about 290lbs.
I'd say the cables are plenty strong.

 

The cables are plenty strong. They held the back of my motorcycle bouncing on them an entire 1,000mi road trip. I'd say it was probably about 600lbs.

 

I'm not sure exactly what size the cables are, but 1/8" is rated for around 2000#. With 2 cables, the tailgate will give out way before the cables.

 

Awesome that's great to know, thanks guys