Tailgate on a 1500

[kaspar139]

Story and a question...

 

Yesterday, my buddy calls me up and asks me to help him run over to Lowe's to pick up some lumber for the deck he is building.  I said sure, not knowing what kinda lumber we were getting (the week before I had used my truck to transport 12 2"x6"x16's, and a few other small boards).  When we get to Lowe's, he says he needs 33 5/4"x6"x16's.  Didn't seem like a big deal, since the week before we got 12 2x6x16s...  well, when we started loading the boards into the tailgate (note that I have a short bed), after about 15, we heard a light pop.  I thought it was one of the boards giving a little being that they were 5/4" thick, and 8+ feet of em were hanging off the end giving some stress.  Well, we put another 5 or 6 boards on there, and one of the support cables to the tailgate popped!!!    The tailgate dropped about an inch, and was very close to touching the bumper.  the other tailgate cable was giving signs of quitting as we QUICKLY unloaded the lumber.  Needless to say, I am shocked, pissed, and feeling stupid.  I know that 16' boards put a lot of stress on the tailgate, but I figured that 12 double thickness boards were done the week before.... aaagggghhh...  

 

Anyway, to the question...how much weight can the tailgate support?  ???

 

AND, has anyone any suggestions for toting lumber around (other than renting a different truck ;) ).  

 

Thanks...

[RyanbabZ71]

DOnt really have an answer sorry but one of my tailgate cables is messed up.  Looks like it has a kink in it and kinda shaped in a V (stretched out).  I probably need it replaced.

 

I can stand on the tailgate and 2 people can sit there and its fine for now

[carguru]

Believe that the tailgate can handle up to 600 lbs.  There is another thread on this a month ago.Tailgate

[kaspar139]

So, I wonder if they have a modification for the tailgate at the dealer?  Something to enhance the strength... maybe a thicker cable... ???