How much weight can the tailgate hold?

[jd21476]

I have a '73 K20 and I bought a soda vending machine for my game room. Its in the bed of the truck on a pallet and weighs 690 lbs. It was placed in my a forklift but now I cant figure out how to get it down. Any ideas?

[RastaRobb]

Just take the tailgate off so you don't have to worry about tearing it up. From there, you maybe on your own. Shimmy it up to the edge, lean it backwards (towards the cab) and slide it down the back of the bed? Line it with cardborad to prevent scratching. Invite some friends, and have plenty of quarters ready to go so you can buy them a drink from it.

[Billy81]

I am sure a tailgate can hold at least 600 pounds i have had my brother, myself and a friend all sitting on my tailgate. We weigh well over 200 pounds each and it never bent or broke.

[Jeepwm69]

Back it down in a ditch or depression where the end of the tailgate is almost touching the ground. Roll it off. I agree, tailgate's around here have been supporting 600-700lbs of rednecks for decades.

[RastaRobb]

Originally Posted by Jeepwm69

I agree, tailgate's around here have been supporting 600-700lbs of rednecks for decades.

No doubt. It doesn't take many Rednecks to have 600 pounds of Rednecks.

[crashz]

And in some case, only a Redneck.

How are you going to get it into the house? Sounds like jobs for a bunch of big friends. Or a little Bobcat.

[Wrecked1982]

id tear it down so it would be a 2 man job to get it down in the basement. shoudnt be too complicated to reasemble as long as you keep the refregirated unit togeter

[nekkidhillbilly]

600 i think is recomended weight. i have engines on my before.

[Cherub]

just unloaded a 500lb safe off mine...

[burban nate]

I wouldn't hesitate to load a oem GM tailgate till the tires squat but I had a collision certifit tailgate that split wide open when a customer was standing on it. He couldn't have weighed more than 250 lbs. He was not happy and I wouldn't be either, he could have been seriously hurt. We replaced it with a rust free original and he hasn't had another problem.

Nate

[INSIDIOUS '86]

I believe I read somewhere that the tailgate was factory rated for 300lbs. After that I'm sure it will hold more but not without distorting some

[cadillac_al]

We folded a tailgate by loading an electric pallet jack on the truck. Not sure what they weigh but I would estimate between 500 -1000 lbs. I have slid plenty of engines over them without bending though. Anything more than that would make me nervous.

[chevy-fun]

engine here also. but i would do like others say an remove the gate. only 2 clips an slide it out. better to spend less then 5min take it off an not risk messing it up

[billnorman]

Originally Posted by jd21476

I have a '73 K20 and I bought a soda vending machine for my game room. Its in the bed of the truck on a pallet and weighs 690 lbs. It was placed in my a forklift but now I cant figure out how to get it down. Any ideas?

Lay it down first in the bed, don't fool around trying to offload it vertically. Remove the tailgate (easy) then slide it off on cardboard or plywood, if it's laying down it will be more stable. Don't leave it horizontal long so the refrigerant stays in the bottom where it belongs.

[donut]

x2 (good advise)

Tailgates will, in decent condition, hold a lot. Point loading is what'll kill them. 1000 lbs spread out, is one thing. 1000 lbs on a single 2x4 block....

like said, if your worried, take it off.

[cory d]

if its a stepside tailgate, maybe 2 pounds

[willett]

Are '73 tailgates easily removable? I thought for some reason they didn't add the quick release until later in the run.


Keeeeiiiiiittttthhhhh!

[cadillac_al]

Originally Posted by willett

Are '73 tailgates easily removable? I thought for some reason they didn't add the quick release until later in the run.


Keeeeiiiiiittttthhhhh!

That's why my dad always said to never buy the first year of production on a new vehicle. They don't have all the fine details worked out yet. I forgot how to take the tailgate off a 73 but it doesn't come off easily like the newer ones. That could make a difference of wanting to take the tailgate off or take a chance leaving it on. Bummer.