Is tailgate reinforcement required?

yes I had to cut the wheel wells out for it to fit

 

Routinely carry motorcycles and ATVs in my 10 yr old 2wd Tacoma. Several times ran an ATV with four quarters of moose meat on the racks up into the truck box. Probably weighed in excess of 1000 lbs. No issues with tail gate, suspension or anything else for that matter. I would expect nothing less from a Tacoma. Tailgate will close with most Quads except for the long wheelbase two up types.

 

This is the only place that I know where people seem to think they need it. There are a gazillion Toyotas out there not rocking them.

I suppose if you have a lot of top weight (Cap, RTT setup), then maybe, just maybe I'd keep an eye on it.