Strength of tailgate?

[truckguy82]

So I have the occassional need to put pallets in my bed. I have a 6.5 ft bed. Pallets are 4ft wide and probably around 1k lbs each.

 

It would be a tremendous convenience if I could fit 2 pallets in the bed, but that would leave about 1/2 of the second pallet over the tailgate.

 

 

Dont know how strong the tailgate is.

 

Thoughts?

[newdude]

#PIT5570: Tailgate And Cargo Loop Capacity - (May 16, 2017)

 

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

 

Condition/Concern

 

A Customer may ask how much weight the tailgate or cargo loops can handle.

 

Recommendation/Instructions

 

The tailgate can handle 1000 lbs. evenly spaced across the entire tailgate.

 

The cargo loops, located at each corner near the floor of the bed, can handle 250lbs each. (This is not the Cargo Management System).

 

Please note if using ramps (example: Loading ATV's, Lawn mowers, etc.) it may be necessary to remove the tailgate and place the ramps on the bed of the truck. Ramps do not evenly space the load across the entire tailgate and can overload the tailgate.

 

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

 

[aseibel]

I have done some investigating into putting loads on tailgates myself.

What I found out is that there is no reliable information available. I questioned why GM makes a tailgate that does not sit flat with the bed for even load distribution when my lumber is longer than 5'-8". I could get no one at the dealer/ body shop/ GM engineering to answer me. see my previous thread here if you're interested: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/187015-tailgate-not-sitting-flat-with-rest-of-bed-is-this-normal/

 

There is one interesting website I found that discusses tailgate loading, as it pertains to driving vehicles into the truck bed:

http://www.ridertailgate.com/loading-truck-bed-using-ramps-s1/

They sell a 1" extension link which when installed, drops the tip of the gate lower than the bed so it is no longer holding all the weight of your long load. I bought a set of them and I highly recommend them to others.

 

If you're still here after all that rambling- I would not be too terribly concerned about hauling 500# on my gate. I would be cautious about going over large bumps or dips that would place more pressure on it, but I think you'll be okay. Like the post above says- spreading the weight out is beneficial. With your 42" or 48" wide pallets, It is much less likely to cause the tailgate to buckle than if you have one point load in the middle.

[truckguy82]

Wow that is way more weight then I thought it could handle.

 

Looks like I have nothing to worry about. That's awesome

[MaverickZ71]

So you're carrying a payload of 2000 lbs in the back of a truck rated at a max payload of 1690 lbs. If you subtract the weight of the driver, any passengers, tools, other items in or on the truck, then you only have a remaining payload capacity of approximately 1300-1500 lbs. Hope the truck can stand doing the 2000 lbs. without breaking something or blowing a tire. IMHO, if you're going to do that very often, you'd be a lot better off with an HD instead of a 1500.

[truckguy82]

So you're carrying a payload of 2000 lbs in the back of a truck rated at a max payload of 1690 lbs. If you subtract the weight of the driver, any passengers, tools, other items in or on the truck, then you only have a remaining payload capacity of approximately 1300-1500 lbs. Hope the truck can stand doing the 2000 lbs. without breaking something or blowing a tire. IMHO, if you're going to do that very often, you'd be a lot better off with an HD instead of a 1500.

It's usually not that heavy.

 

Also I take gvrw with a grain of salt. Most passenger cars would be well over their gvrw with 4 dudes, some gas, and luggage. I have no idea where they come up with that number.

 

Hell a corvette has a gvrw of 375-400lbs, a tank of gas and a husband and wife would surpass that.

[aseibel]

So you're carrying a payload of 2000 lbs in the back of a truck rated at a max payload of 1690 lbs. If you subtract the weight of the driver, any passengers, tools, other items in or on the truck, then you only have a remaining payload capacity of approximately 1300-1500 lbs. Hope the truck can stand doing the 2000 lbs. without breaking something or blowing a tire. IMHO, if you're going to do that very often, you'd be a lot better off with an HD instead of a 1500.

 

I don't know where you got your numbers but most models can actually hold closer to 1800 lbs in the bed.

 

2000 lbs in the bed is not that extreme for a short trip if you don't mind bottoming out on the axle bumpers. I've done it, my truck has survived.

[MaverickZ71]

It's usually not that heavy.

 

Also I take gvrw with a grain of salt. Most passenger cars would be well over their gvrw with 4 dudes, some gas, and luggage. I have no idea where they come up with that number.

 

Hell a corvette has a gvrw of 375-400lbs, a tank of gas and a husband and wife would surpass that.

 

I hear ya. I always thought that way on the old trucks--have seen a lot of them WAY overloaded in oilfield and agriculture usage, beat on year after year with little to no maintenance. But on these new thin metal/plastic/aluminum trucks, well lets just say that some of the parts tend to bend or break a lot easier than they used to. Best wishes

[MaverickZ71]

 

I don't know where you got your numbers but most models can actually hold closer to 1800 lbs in the bed.

 

2000 lbs in the bed is not that extreme for a short trip if you don't mind bottoming out on the axle bumpers. I've done it, my truck has survived.

 

Got the payload number off Chevy's website for the latest generation 1500 crew cab V8 4x4 short bed pickups (non-NHT model, as he had an All Terrain).

[Donstar]

At 1,000 lbs each I believe this is too heavy and is a poorly distributed load. If the pallets aren't loaded to 1.000 each and the lighter pallet is over the tailgate then this will be an improvement.

[drentlaw1]

So you're carrying a payload of 2000 lbs in the back of a truck rated at a max payload of 1690 lbs. If you subtract the weight of the driver, any passengers, tools, other items in or on the truck, then you only have a remaining payload capacity of approximately 1300-1500 lbs. Hope the truck can stand doing the 2000 lbs. without breaking something or blowing a tire. IMHO, if you're going to do that very often, you'd be a lot better off with an HD instead of a 1500.

I use to haul a 305 gallon water tank in the bed of my 2014 1500 all the time and had no issues of anything breaking, bending, blowing a tire, etc. 305 gallons at 8.34 pounds per gallon is 2543.7 pounds plus the weight of tank and 180-190 pounds for me driving. I did this for almost two years averaging 2 loads a week at a 13 mile trip one way loaded. I do have helper air bags, but never an issue.

OP I think hauling half a pallet on your tailgate will be fine, and 2000 pounds is fine also. if it squats a lot throw some air bags on and call it a day.

[michigan2500hd]

When I haul 80 # bags of Quikrete, etc. I try not to put more then 2 or 3 on the tailgate plus myself. Not that I'm saying that's a scientific weight to go by I'm just not one to trust the straps and end up with a dented tailgate and myself on the ground lol.

 

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[Donstar]

I could also tell stories about heavy 2000+ loads up and down the Alaska highway before it was paved in my 70's 1/2 tons but such examples doesn't mean going over your limit is safe. The posted load limits are for your safety and just because you can doesn't make it right. The post above also reminds me of a period of time In the 80's when I used to haul heating oil in drums from Vancouver to my home in the interior (300 mi.) However I used a utility trailer to help with the additional weight. I've had mechanical failure at very inconvenient places with properly loaded trucks. Going over your limit greatly increases the chances of a component failure which can have unsafe consequences for you and those who share the road with you!

[sdeeter19555]

The strength of this Silverado tailgate compared to my 2nd Gen Dodge is night and day...I sat 2000 pounds on that Dodge tailgate without a hint of stress, this Silverado's tailgate flexes with my 275 pounds on it...

 

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[truckguy82]

The strength of this Silverado tailgate compared to my 2nd Gen Dodge is night and day...I sat 2000 pounds on that Dodge tailgate without a hint of stress, this Silverado's tailgate flexes with my 275 pounds on it...

 

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Look at the gm bed closely when you open it, it's not level with the bed. It's definitely designed to flex until it's level. Probably makes it tougher as well, almost the same effect as using a pillow to absorb an impact