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Third gen tailgate strength

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by pdeinc, May 30, 2022.

  1. May 30, 2022 at 5:12 AM
    #1
    pdeinc

    pdeinc [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Does anyone have some firsthand knowledge of the differences between 2nd and 3rd gen tailgates regarding their strength?

    I plan on loading our golf cart in the bed for when I tow my 2019 Tacoma behind my RV and was searching for info on rigid support struts and saw numerous posts regarding tailgates bucking when heavily loaded in the center. This mostly seemed to be a 2nd gen issue and supposedly a TSB was issued regarding the problem so I'm wondering if the 3rd gen tailgates were beefed up?

    TIA

    BTW, my Tacoma is already setup for towing and has covered over 5,000 miles to date.
     
  2. May 30, 2022 at 5:22 AM
    #2
    hiPSI

    hiPSI Laminar Flow

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    I simply cut a half sheet of 3/4 plywood to go across the tail gate to evenly distribute the load, but my load was centered.
    My electric Club Car Precedent weighs 900 lb. That will be quite the load on the tailgate.

    Question... A 6x12 trailer is required to haul my stock golf cart and it fills that trailer up.
    How in the hell are you gonna fit it in a Tacoma bed?
    How are you going to load it?
     
  3. May 30, 2022 at 6:37 AM
    #3
    nucl3ar

    nucl3ar 2021 White Tacoma Limited 4x4

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    OVTune Meso Total Tail Stage 1 tail lights BAKFlip MX4 Tonneau Cover
    Just like hiPSI mentioned, I don't see how a golf cart will fit in the bed. Granted, I have a lifted '05 EZGO TXT, but there's no way mine would fit in my long bed.


    I searched for some numbers, and I don't think Toyota publishes tailgate load capacity. Below is a thread that may help. I am guessing the rear axle of the golf cart will directly on the tailgate. Not sure I'd want that much weight on the tailgate, personally.

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tailgate-weight-capacity.569305/
     
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  4. May 30, 2022 at 6:42 AM
    #4
    crazysccrmd

    crazysccrmd Well-Known Member

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    Tailgate capacity aside, I don't see how you're going to fit it in the bed. A full size ATV is too wide to fit between the wheel wells and those are a fair bit smaller than a golf cart.
     
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  5. May 30, 2022 at 7:45 AM
    #5
    pdeinc

    pdeinc [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I don't know about earlier versions of the Tacoma bed but the flat inside well wheel surfaces of my 2019 provide enough width for my cart with its 215/50-12 tires & wheels to fit. And with my 6 ft bed, the rear wheels are centered on the gap between the bed and the liftgate when loaded.

    As for loading, I'm going to use these - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09CL3B4B7. I may decide to use a winch mounted in the front of the bed if I don't feel driving it up feels safe enough.
     
  6. May 30, 2022 at 7:50 AM
    #6
    Iwilltaco

    Iwilltaco Well-Known Member

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    You have pics? None of this seems possible to a simple minded fool like myself :D
     
  7. May 30, 2022 at 7:56 AM
    #7
    crazysccrmd

    crazysccrmd Well-Known Member

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    If you run it up on the wheel wells it might work I guess, I figured you'd be loading it flat in the bed. Bear in mind that the angle will transfer more weight to the rear wheels and the tailgate area.
     
  8. May 30, 2022 at 8:10 AM
    #8
    Kev250R

    Kev250R Well-Known Member

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    I've carried one of my ATV's in the bed of my Taco (Honda 300ex) but it weighs a lot less then a Golf Cart. For my ATV I loaded it into the bed with a pair of wooden ramps, then once it was in the bed I slid the ramps under the rear wheels (which were resting on the tailgate) to help distribute the weight.

    I carried a 36 Volt EZ-Go Golf Cart one time in the back of my Toyota T100 which has air bags in the rear. I hauled it about 50 miles and regretted it the whole way. Even with my air bags at ~50 PSI (the most I've ever run in that truck) it felt top-heavy and unsafe. That much weight in my Taco (even if properly secured) would be no bueno in my book.

     
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  9. May 30, 2022 at 8:25 AM
    #9
    hiPSI

    hiPSI Laminar Flow

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    Oh my.
    Good luck.
    Send pics.
     
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  10. May 30, 2022 at 8:39 AM
    #10
    pdeinc

    pdeinc [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'll admit that when I first was considering a Tacoma, I believed it would have to go over the wheel wells but was surprised to see the flat sides of them in this model. It's 42 1/2" wide at the base of the wheel wells and they taper out going up. The front track of the cart is 44 max at the sidewall and narrower at their tread so they may touch and if they rub too much, I'll just lay down a 1 x 6 down to raise the front by that thickness.

    We see a fair number of golf carts being carried in pickups where we go and while most are full size, this Tacoma is as large as my 1st gen Tundra with nearly equal load capacity.

    So far no comments on whether Toyota addressed the 2nd gen tailgate weakness?
     
  11. May 30, 2022 at 8:42 AM
    #11
    Deacon Blues

    Deacon Blues Well-Known Member

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    I've been on this forum since 2017 and I've seen lots of preventative reinforcement but I don't think I've seen a single actual damaged tailgate from loading anything (properly).

    It might happen over time if you loaded and unloaded it every single day, but for the average weekend warrior the tailgate seems to hold up just fine.
     
    Last edited: May 30, 2022
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  12. May 30, 2022 at 8:46 AM
    #12
    shakerhood

    shakerhood Well-Known Member

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    It was addressed in Post #2, put a 3/4' piece of plywood down.
     
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  13. May 30, 2022 at 8:51 AM
    #13
    Deacon Blues

    Deacon Blues Well-Known Member

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    A quick Googlin' for "bent Tacoma tailgate" shows lots and lots of 2nd Gens, and a big fat zero 3rd Gens except for those that loaded things like a doofus, ie. bent the top rail dropping posts on it.

    2nd Gens had a real issue though, and the tailgates are completely different on the 3rd Gens as a result.

    Also this is the best pic you'll see today...a big old good boy from this forum sagging a 2nd Gen lol.

    [​IMG]
     
  14. May 30, 2022 at 8:58 AM
    #14
    pdeinc

    pdeinc [OP] Well-Known Member

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    How is that something Toyota did to address a known problem for 2nd gen trucks?
     
    Last edited: May 30, 2022
  15. May 30, 2022 at 9:03 AM
    #15
    pdeinc

    pdeinc [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I certainly would have thought so but was looking for some firsthand confirmation, either someone that has had both and had issues with their earlier one or just someone that's looked under the plastic of both.

    Cool dog, big pup too but I suspect that tailgate was already bent before he laid down on it.
     
    Last edited: May 30, 2022
  16. May 30, 2022 at 9:10 AM
    #16
    Deacon Blues

    Deacon Blues Well-Known Member

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    3rd Gen...
    [​IMG]


    2nd Gen...
    [​IMG]
     
  17. May 30, 2022 at 9:34 AM
    #17
    Big tall dave

    Big tall dave Well-Known Member

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    Not sure about the size of a golf cart, but for what it’s worth, I’ve used a ramp to ride my snowmobile into my bed a few times and haven’t had any trouble with my tailgate. My sled is 500+lbs and I’m about 300lbs so.......
     
    Last edited: May 30, 2022
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  18. May 30, 2022 at 9:51 AM
    #18
    TAZMINATOR

    TAZMINATOR Well-Known Member

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    That's the reason the bed is for. But the golf cart, not sure about that since golf cart has bit bigger chassis than ATV. Unless OP has small golf cart which seats 2 people.

    See crazy photos here: https://bigfrog104.com/new-york-driver-ticketed-for-hauling-atv-on-top-of-car/
     
  19. May 30, 2022 at 10:45 AM
    #19
    pdeinc

    pdeinc [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It's a standard size EZ-GO, 36 volt approx 900 lbs. I suppose if I was really concerned, I could just take the tailgate off and load the cart like this.photo-1_341e47dec7e98171b4ad03aa4064cf480808d1d9.jpg
     
  20. May 30, 2022 at 11:42 AM
    #20
    TAZMINATOR

    TAZMINATOR Well-Known Member

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    That's fine.. I am not worrying about the tailgate but I was talking about wheel wells in Tacoma bed which golf cart may not fit if you have SB. You used Ford photo... which is bigger than Tacoma.. so good luck.

    If you have SB, then you may need tailgate so keep it down and place cart in bed if it fit in between wells. If you are worrying about tailgate, then place thick plywood on it then load the cart in.
     

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