Tailgate Strength

BrokenBoots · February 27, 2002

Anyone know what the load capacity is for the tailgate? I want to use a ramp to load my Road King. It's about 750 lbs and my 180 lbs. I'd hate to bend the tailgate or worse, cause the cables to snap.

1BADHD · February 27, 2002

The tailgate is plenty strong but you will snap the cables. Trust me it happened to me, now I have a nice crease where the tailgate fell onto the bumper. :but:

CMNTMXR81 · February 27, 2002

How the heck did you break those cables? Aren't they aircraft cable? Either way, how are you supposed to load bikes, ATV's, snowmobiles and other large implements into your bed if you'll snap these cables? I may be facing the same dilemma when I purchase my Ultra Classic this spring.

For reference, I had 280lbs of sand (in bags), myself, 250lbs and my G/F who's weight I won't say cause I'm gentlemanly which is 530lbs (without hers figured in) on my tailgate last Saturday without any problems.

1BADHD · February 27, 2002

It depends on how old they are. I broke them on my 99. I guess from closing and opening all the time the cables got frayed inside the plastic cover and SNAP!! There goes your gate.

TxDoc · February 27, 2002

I don't think they intended the cables to support a load, as much as just hold the tailgate while loading things in the bed, so you wouldn't have to lift everything over it.

I have seen several ATV break the cables. You can make your own support cables and lift the gate slightly so the weight is not on the factory ones. I ran two 3/8" threaded rods thru the gate and made an attachment from 3/8" angle iron. If you make your own, strip off any plastic coating on the cables or use cable with no coating.

wolfie · February 27, 2002

I broke the cables on my dad's 98 last summer loading my garden tractor in. I have no idea what it weighs. After i replaced them I went back to taking the tailgate off and laying 2 in planks right on the step bumper. they sit level with the floor. The ramps I used on the tailgate were too steep. I don't know what I'll do with the new HD since it's so much higher than the other truck... I'm thinking maybe it's time to get a trailer for the big stuff.

bradyb · February 28, 2002

Just remove your tailgate.

The tailgate on my Av. is removable. The cables on my avalanche detach from the bed and the tailgate comes off when you lift it. My tailgate is a composite tailgate which probably weighs as much as a standard tailgate.

TxDoc · February 28, 2002

From the Chevy Website:

"The PRO-TEC tailgate load-carrying capacity is 1,000 lbs. compared to 600 lbs. for the steel counterpart"

CMNTMXR81 · February 28, 2002

Wow! This kinda bothers me in a way. These are supposed to be HD work trucks when push comes to shove and if I can't use it doing something a normal truck owner would do like load a snowmobile, ATV or bike, that kinda defeats the purpose of why I bought a p/u over another SUV.

Maybe it's time to go back to the old slide bars.

Jpshostr · February 28, 2002

Maybe it's time to go back to the old slide bars.

Thats what I think too, I don't know what came with the big push towards using cables over those bars. I guess a penny pincher got his way.

We've broke cables, but never both at the same time so no dented gate for us.

MountaineerTom · February 28, 2002

I wonder why they did change from the metal bars to the cables? ??? I liked the bars that were on my '91 better than these cables. I wonder if those would fit on the newer trucks? Maybe the next time I go to the junk yard, I'll see if I can get a set and see how they work.

BTW, I think Newbie has some info on how strong the tailgate is. ;)

wolfie · March 1, 2002

They probably changed b/c the metal bars rattled and the rubber coated cables don't. I never minded the rattles in my 89, I always figured I was driving a truck... they're supposed to make noise. Pickups aren't marketed toward people that use trucks as trucks anymore... I have to admit that I like some of the changes that it's led to though. I love my power windows and A/C

MountaineerTom · March 1, 2002

I fixed the rattle with my '91 by wrapping some black electrical tape around them, except where they hinge and attach to the bed/tailgate. ;)

antig24 · March 1, 2002

BTW, I think Newbie has some info on how strong the tailgate is. ;)

Don't go giving him any ideas, I'm a mean mod and I'll keep that pic outta my forum, HAHAHAHAHAHA :baa:

doverarjim · March 1, 2002

I don't know how heavy it was but I had a bale of hay in my truck last week and could not get the forks under it to pick it up so I had to roll it out of the back, when I finished the ends where the cables attach to the bed of the truck had pulled out not broke off but pulled out and the tailgate which had been very easy to close now took a forcefull slam to get it shut now. I took the hay to the scales and it went 2350lbs. so don't put more than that on them.