Sturdiness of tailgate

I remember some of you saying the tailgates on the Tacomas are not very stout. Could you give some more details? For instance could I push a heavy duty garden tiller up a ramp onto the tailgate and into the truck or would it bend? How about a 42 inch Husqvarna riding mower? Thanks

 

It's been hit or miss with bending tailgates. I think it's mainly older 2nd Gens...and I've used a center ramp and rolled my 400 lbs motorcycle up there with no issues.
I've sat on it...loaded trash on it...Not a problem.

 

Bent my 06 Tailgate when unloading a 4-wheeler

 

^ Thank you for that--good enough for me.

In another thread many of us were asking for specs on what Toyota states are limits for the tailgate but nobody could deliver.

 

well now-- I was just about to ask a question like this.

BUT my quad is 500 lbs..
and I am going to have to leave the back tires on the tailgate..

problems?
I am going to go about 80 miles each way...
with some rough roads in between....

whatcha think?

J

 

I think if that causes the gate to bend or get messed up I would drive it straight to the dealership and get it warranty repaired.

I have always felt it was when a bunch of weight is dropped onto the gate or a lot of weight is applied in a central focused area then bad tings happened.

I have always found this pretty much a bummer that it is even an issue. These are trucks aren't they? Not sure what Toyota was thinking! The tailgate is pretty much a very used area of a truck.

 

radartech, like flatlander said if it bends get it warranty repaired.

I suppose you could mitigate the force on the tailgate by inserting a 1/2" plywood in the bed of the truck, it would help absorb the force and distribute the weight front to back. It's kind of a pain and I don't even know if its worth it.

I wish someone would find the specs for the tailgate.

 

I mentioned this in another thread but it seems pretty useful here too. Loaded and unloaded a 400 pound bike several times and even dropped it once on the tailgate and besides the scratched plastics everythings fine.

 

Even under warranty I can see Toyota denying a claim saying that it was abuse that caused it. I just hate like heck to take a new truck and have the tail gate screwed up.Thanks for the useful info I wonderwhat the diiference between whippersnapper and 4 x4 jeep's loading and unloading procedures.