Tailgate build quality

[BigGuy MDU]

Just curious if anyone else experienced cracking of their tailgate or the adhesive on the crimped sides letting go.   It may have already been asked but the pictures are from my 21 Silverado 1500 I just traded in.  Used my truck as a truck to haul snowmobiles and atv with the tailgate in the down position.

Edited April 5, 2024 by BigGuy MDU

[Jus Cruisin]

Guessing you exceeded the weight capacity a few times using like a "truck". 

[kickass audio]

damn I was worrying about how much weight the plastic panel on the inner tailgate can handle before it busts through but not ripping the inner and outer aluminum apart like this. How much weight can these new aluminum tailgates handle? I know the multi-pro can't handle as much as the solid tailgates but it should still be somewhat decent for weight considering the payload of the truck is around 1300lbs.

[BigGuy MDU]

I had a 2020 skidoo tundra 550f in the back.   The machine is 480lbs with a tank of gas.   Most of the weight of the machine is on the front up by the cab,  not at the back of the box lol

 

My atv was a polaris sportsman 500ho. Maybe 600 lbs? Again,  not overly heavy. 

 

So i'm my opinion, no,  not overloaded at all and you should be able to load things into the box of a truck including ATVs and snowmobiles.  Hell even the owners manual shows the use of ramps for loading wheeled vehicles.  

 

Out of curiosity when I went and got my new truck,  I started looking at other used chevy trucks on the gm/ chevy dealerships in town.   Noticed a few other tailgates with the stress cracks at the top left and right corners as well.  

 

Just something for people to keep an eye on,  thats all.  I know I won't use the bed of the new truck like the old one.  Picked up a utility trailer instead lol

[newdude]

Looks like from gate overloading.  

 

If you use ramps, ramps don't properly place the load evenly across the gate.  Repeated use of ramps over time stress the gate structure.  When ramp loading, the tailgate should be removed and the ramps placed directly to the bed floor.  So this damage would occur not from the snowmobile or ATV having the track/wheels on it, but the loading process.  

 

I can't find any updated statistics from GM, but 2000-2018 trucks with one piece tailgates were rated to 1000lbs evenly loaded across the gate. 

 

Here's the document explaining:  PIT5570A Tailgate And Cargo Loop Capacity (nhtsa.gov)  And an excerpt from that: 

 

"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."

 

I'll try to see what the newer aluminum gates are rated for.  I do know that the MultiPro/MultiFlex gates, you must open the center gate and place the ramps against the inner gate or remove the tailgate as the center is only rated for 375lbs.  

Edited April 6, 2024 by newdude

[Bikerjon]

2 hours ago, BigGuy MDU said:

I had a 2020 skidoo tundra 550f in the back.   The machine is 480lbs with a tank of gas.   Most of the weight of the machine is on the front up by the cab,  not at the back of the box lol

 

My atv was a polaris sportsman 500ho. Maybe 600 lbs? Again,  not overly heavy. 

 

So i'm my opinion, no,  not overloaded at all and you should be able to load things into the box of a truck including ATVs and snowmobiles.  Hell even the owners manual shows the use of ramps for loading wheeled vehicles.  

 

Out of curiosity when I went and got my new truck,  I started looking at other used chevy trucks on the gm/ chevy dealerships in town.   Noticed a few other tailgates with the stress cracks at the top left and right corners as well.  

 

Just something for people to keep an eye on,  thats all.  I know I won't use the bed of the new truck like the old one.  Picked up a utility trailer instead lol

Wow. Very good to know!

[repairman54]

Looks like sleds bouncing on the tailgate popped the structural adhesive in those pics. 

Cold temps could be a factor also. 

An open trailer is probably cheaper than a new tailgate. 

[Silverado4x4]

375 is the maximum weight on the tailgate IF spread evenly, a sled or atv is not spread even across the tailgate that's why it's bent. They tell you to remove and disconnect the wire connector on the tailgate and put the ramps directly on the bed.

Edited April 6, 2024 by Silverado4x4

[newdude]

10 minutes ago, Silverado4x4 said:

375 is the maximum weight on the tailgate IF spread evenly, a sled or atv is not spread even across the tailgate that's why it's bent. They tell you to remove and disconnect the wire connector on the tailgate and put the ramps directly on the bed.

 

 

The 375lbs is for the center gate on the multiflex gates.  

Edited April 6, 2024 by newdude

[Silverado4x4]

19 minutes ago, newdude said:

 

 

The 375lbs is for the center gate on the multiflex gates.  

True but it's much less due to the leverage factor with the standard gate. With the muti- pro the weigh is closer to the bed, with the standard tailgate the weight is farther out reducing the capacity much like using a cheater bar on the end of a wrench for a tight bolt, Example, if you're using a 10" wrench and use a 2' pipe on the end of the wrench you're applying more torque and pressure on the tight bolt.

Edited April 6, 2024 by Silverado4x4