Tail gate strength?

[CHEMPOWR]

Does anyone have experience loading motorcycle onto the bed by using the tail gate and ramp? Will the stock tail gate hold support hold. Thanks in advance. I have a 1969 GMC shortbed.

[Wideopenracing15]

Stock one? Maybe, what kind of bike is it?

[leddzepp]

You risk bowing it. I wouldn't do it.

[CHEMPOWR]

I believe it is stock. Not 100% sure. How would you recommend loading? Take off the tail gate before loading and put back on after loaded? The bike weighs about 600 pounds (2008 Suzuki B-King, Naked Hyabusa). It is the one on the LEFT below




http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30091194&l=660704ed66&id=1629223909

[Wideopenracing15]

Thats a pretty sick bike man. And yeah I'd take the gate off. But make sure your ramps are ok with your bumper. If all fails you might be able to load it to one side of the truck or the other. But it'd be really pushing it and wouldnt recommend it.

[71swb4x4]

The first time I read it I thought you were using the tailgate as the ramp. Now that I have read it again I realize you are using a ramp and the tailgate. With a stock tailgate you will be just fine. If it's aftermarket, I would worry, but stock will be fine. If you are concerned you could put an 8' 2x8 in the bed that comes out over the tailgate up to the ramp. That would help spread the weight out as the front and back tire come onto the tailgate.

Edit: Quick addition: you have 600 pounds on two wheels. Theoretically you have about 300 to 350 pounds per wheel. Only one wheel will be on the tailgate at a time. That would be like one big dude, or two not so big dudes sitting on your tailgate. I don't think it's a concern.

[CHEMPOWR]

Thanks for the insight everyone. I am not sure if the tailgate is original or aftermarket. Is there a way to tell. I use to have a 1959 Chevy truck and I could just release the tail gate all the way down. I was worried the tailgate straps would give way on the 1969 and now I am a bit concerned for bowing.

Thanks for the compliment on the bike. Here are a few more pics:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1629223909

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1629223909

[CHEMPOWR]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

The first time I read it I thought you were using the tailgate as the ramp. Now that I have read it again I realize you are using a ramp and the tailgate. With a stock tailgate you will be just fine. If it's aftermarket, I would worry, but stock will be fine. If you are concerned you could put an 8' 2x8 in the bed that comes out over the tailgate up to the ramp. That would help spread the weight out as the front and back tire come onto the tailgate.

Edit: Quick addition: you have 600 pounds on two wheels. Theoretically you have about 300 to 350 pounds per wheel. Only one wheel will be on the tailgate at a time. That would be like one big dude, or two not so big dudes sitting on your tailgate. I don't think it's a concern.

I see what you mean. I figured I would be OK but the truck is really nice and I thought I would double check with you guys. Thanks.

[Wideopenracing15]

Yeah he does have a good point. So you should be fine.

[texanidiot25]

Stock tail gate is fine. I've had more weight in people than most motorcycles, and mine is rusted..

Aftermarket ones are some-what pathetic, even known to bend at people's hands when slamming shut.

[Wideopenracing15]

I am a witness to that texan.

[CHEMPOWR]

Any way to tell OEM from aftermarket?

[Wideopenracing15]

Well the easiest way to jump up and down on it. But other than that its hard without an original to base off of.

[Longhorn Man]

i had this one roll up a ramp into the bed of the longhorn, the gate, straps, and trunions came out fine.

[texanidiot25]

Originally Posted by CHEMPOWR

Any way to tell OEM from aftermarket?

The metal is very tinny and weak compared to the bed floor. Or everytime you use the tail gate, it does actually bend.

[Wideopenracing15]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

i had this one roll up a ramp into the bed of the longhorn, the gate, straps, and trunions came out fine.

Well thats proof.

[knsmodels]

I loaded my atc for years with no problems on the stock gate.....one way to tell oem is look for the spot welds on the outer vertical edge I dont believe the after market ones have them.....

[Wideopenracing15]

Originally Posted by knsmodels

I loaded my atc for years with no problems on the stock gate.....one way to tell oem is look for the spot welds on the outer vertical edge I dont believe the after market ones have them.....

Well if they do they suck. Mine split real quick.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by CHEMPOWR

Thanks for the insight everyone. I am not sure if the tailgate is original or aftermarket. Is there a way to tell. I use to have a 1959 Chevy truck and I could just release the tail gate all the way down. I was worried the tailgate straps would give way on the 1969 and now I am a bit concerned for bowing.

You can, and depending on what I'm loading I do, lower the gate below horizontal by removing the metal straps.
Here is how you do it:
Open the gate and grab one of the straps.
Lift the strap the opposite way it folds as you close the gate.
About half way up you can pull the strap off the side of the gate.
Lower gate to horizontal and repeat process on the other strap.

With the gate lowered below horizontal you can then use a 2x6 or 2x8 or 2x10 or a combination of the above to make a ramp. If you're worried about the ramp sliding down the gate just pound a big nail through the board and stick that through the gap between the gate and the bed.

If you have an 8 foot bed you can take two eight foot long 2x8s with nails sticking out with you and the piece of equipment you are moving to the place you are moving it to. Then you know you can get the item back out when you get there.

Plan B is to just back up to a slight hill and just drive/push the item in the bed.

[Longhorn Man]

Dropping the gate is a good way to damage it. The gate will rest on the bumper and crease it.
Learned this one the hard way... but, it was someone else's truck, so it didn't bother me too much.
Had to get a complete 400 small block into his truck, no lift, just 3 dudes.

[CHEMPOWR]

Thanks everyone.

Just by pushing on the tailgate it looks to be aftermarket. It seems to slightly deform with heavy pressure from my body! Oh well, I'll make something work like thick plywood someone had mentioned earlier.

[BB72CHEVKT]

How about some pics of your truck?

[CHEMPOWR]

Originally Posted by BB72CHEVKT

How about some pics of your truck?

Here you go...

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...9&l=6f82e33b12

[cdowns]

have been loading fulldress harleys that way for many many years many many bikes never a problem nor a damaged tailgate either//the bed gets a little full with any more than two at a time tho

[CHEMPOWR]

Originally Posted by cdowns

have been loading fulldress harleys that way for many many years many many bikes never a problem nor a damaged tailgate either//the bed gets a little full with any more than two at a time tho

Thanks for that. Is you tailgate stock or aftermarket?