WOW tailgate really is weak

I loaded my 400 motard in back of my 2010 DC this past weekend just to see how it fit straight in. First thing I notice is the tailgate plastic cover was a little bent looking under the rear wheel. No bent tailgate but there sure is not a lot of support there to speak of. I shined a flashlight into the latch holes to see if anythign got bent in there and it all looked fine. Appears the plastic cover was giving. Either way I don't trust it to ride any distance like that. Sucks! my '02 did fine with a dirtbike or heavier Tard on the gate. I did manage to bend my '02 once with a 900 lb Harley in the back but that can be expected not a 250~300 lb. dirtbike/streetbike. I hauled my RMZ450 in it two weeks ago but I had it in sideways not straight in, that did okay but made unloaded a pain having to lift the rear around to get a straight shot down. My motard is a little heavier than that dirtbike but I guess it will have to go in sideways as well. Or risk the tailgate bending in half

 

Wonder if some DIAMOND PLATE WOULD SPREAD OUT THE load
caps/

 

tell me about it

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/78315-my-tailgate-reinforce-project.html

 

Probably would but I don't like the look of diamond plate. I may put a piece of ugly plywood under the rear wheel since I have that already on hand. I really don't need to haul a bike back there since I have a dual rail Kendon trailer but there are times I don't feel like dragging a trailer around.

 

A common problem with the smaller older Taco's is we all have the same outward dents under the latch. The parts inside are too close to the sheet metal. This is your best solution. Once you do it you'll see all the benefits of it!

 

Awesome looking KTM!!!!

 

The weight limit on the tailgate is like 225 or 250 lbs. if I remember right. Same as a Frontier I belive. The Tacoma ain't no workhorse!

 

Having one of those tailgates that open sideways would really avoid all these bent tailgates. I think thats the only thing I like about those Honda trucks. I can't remember the name of em right now.

 

Yes I have a trailer but don't feel like dragging all the time.

Yep my 1st generation Taco had the outward dent below the latch.

 

Is so that is really pathetic. Some peole weigh more than what the tailgate can support. Me not being one of those people

 

Ridgeline

I don't think the sideways opening gate is a solution but Honda does advertise the thing with two dirtbikes strapped in both resting on the tailgate.

 

Sure it would. The tailgate would completely be out of the way, so no weight would ever be put on the tailgate causing it to fold under the pressure. At least that would have prevented my tailgate from getting crushed a long time ago.

 

I think we're both talking about two different things. I used my tailgate to help hold the weight as I loaded something into the back of my truck. Which is what caused it to fold from the weight... So when I say having the tailgate open sideways helping I am talking about a situation that I experienced.

 

Hm...I actually dropped my bike on the tailgate when unloading it a couple years back and everythings still good. Just a scratch on the plastic...

 

Any idea on where I can find accurate numbers? I don't recall seeing any in my owners manual.

Thanks!

 

Put the damn bike on it. If it bends, warranty it, simple.

 

What about KTMs? Haha I have 2 full size dirtbike on my tailgate every week and mine isn't bent. I put my toool box inbetween the bikes on the tailgate along with my gas can and I have no problems

 

Your truck is a long bed quite a bit difference in weight over the tailgate with a short bed double cab.

 

I would rather avoid that if possible.

 

actually, i never thought about the bed different sizes, thats a good point