Tail gate capacity on 2019 short bed Tacoma

Having looked inside my own to install a camera it doesn’t surprise me a bit to see it folded like that. The only places the steel is anything other than thin sheet is along the sides where the cables mount, no way would I concentrate 400lbs in one place. There is at least one company that makes an aftermarket cap to replace the plastic one as well as several that make the entire panel. If the idea is to prevent failure then one of those and/or a plank to carry the load to the bed is cheap insurance. If this is a one time thing and you enjoy the risk then go for it. I have a cap and carry lumber on it so I installed bed rail reinforcement brackets for the same reason.

 

Seen this happen in person. It can definitely bend like this

 

You'll be fine. I've *allegedly* had 2400 lbs in the bed of my Tacoma, for a short amount of time off road, and had at least 950 on the tailgate. Not a damn scratch.

 

Thats user error.

Obviously cranked down on those rear straps way too much.

Better to strap it towards the front.
Like this...

 

When I carried my Quad in the back of my Taco I rested the rear wheels on it’s ramps to help distribute the weight and very lightly tied the rear end down (front straps and tie down hooks carry most of the load). I did some light off-roading with it like this with no problems.

 

Or get a Honda Grom, load it at angle and drive with the tailgate closed

 

The problem isn't when the truck is loaded.

The problem comes when LOADING/Unloading the truck. There is a point where the tailgate is supporting nearly the entire load as you roll up/down the ramps.

 

I prefer the loading dock approach compared to ramps. Back up to a small hill and load/unload. A lot less room for error imo.

 

I think it's possible but most likely the driver hit a bump or pothole and it was the dynamic weight that bent the tailgate. Just think of a 400 lb guy standing on the tailgate versus jumping up and down on it. I believe the other main (tailgate) thread covers static vs dynamic loads.

 

Just buy a motorcycle trailer if you use it alot otherwise rent one from uhaul it’s like 20bucks save your self the headache of possible damage .

 

Agreed. Trailers are easier (and safer) than tailgate ramps.


But if you really want to use the bed, lay down a sheet of 1/2" ply to help distribute weight. Total weight doesn't damage tailgates, focused pressure on the middle is what does them in.

Imagine walking high heels across a frozen pond, as opposed to snowshoes.

 

Just don't point load anything near the center of the tailgate. I'd load a bike like @304_Taco shows in post #3 or use the lumber trick. As long as heavy items aren't pin pointed near the center of the tailgate it should be a non-issue. I have abused the shit out of my tailgate and haven't had any issues. Some examples include: I load my ATV over the tailgate (~700 with me on it, plus ramps/mud), I use a load handler and in particular when unloading bags of concrete had nine 80lb bags (720lbs) on it entirely, and had 450lbs of 16' pressure treated lumber in the center 8" of the tailgate while it was up (stupid but did it for visibility of driers behind me).

 

Like most people follow the handful of weight limitations available anyways.

Toyota boned DCLB owners because we got the same GVWR as the DCSB and AC V6 4X4 trucks. They should have done us a solid and gave us a 5800-5900lb GVWR minimum. Softopper, bigger tires, tiedown bag, gear, ramps, fuel can, sport ATV and myself and I'm nearly my 920lb payload rating. Nearly every Tacoma hauling or towing, esp if it got bumpers/armor is over legal weight limit.

 

Just a note- old BMW airheads fit in the long bed with the tailgate closed just fine.