Jump to content

Tailgate Strength

BrokenBoots

Recommended Posts

BrokenBoots Enthusiast

BrokenBoots

Posted
Posted

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 Enthusiast

1BADHD

Posted
Posted

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 Senior Enthusiast

CMNTMXR81

Posted
Posted

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 Enthusiast

1BADHD

Posted
Posted

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 Senior Enthusiast

TxDoc

Posted
Posted

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 Enthusiast

wolfie

Posted
Posted

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 Enthusiast

bradyb

Posted
Posted

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 Senior Enthusiast

TxDoc

Posted
Posted

From the Chevy Website:

 

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

CMNTMXR81 Senior Enthusiast

CMNTMXR81

Posted
Posted

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 Senior Enthusiast

Jpshostr

Posted
Posted
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 Senior Enthusiast

MountaineerTom

Posted
Posted

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.  :D  ;)

wolfie Enthusiast

wolfie

Posted
Posted

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 Senior Enthusiast

MountaineerTom

Posted
Posted

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.  ;)  :D

antig24 Senior Enthusiast

antig24

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

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

doverarjim Senior Enthusiast

doverarjim

Posted
Posted

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. :D

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • asilverblazer
      12.1" radios

      By asilverblazer · Posted

      I've had good experience with my Android head unit.    
    • asilverblazer
      Looking at 2022.5+ Silverado/Sierra 1500 (5.3L) - Lifter/DFM Question

      By asilverblazer · Posted

      You should be evaluating enough comparable trucks to know if one sounds different than the others - if you can't tell something is amiss by ear, it's probably fine.   Further evaluate enough trucks so that you can determine what 'normal' looks, sounds and feels like. Even if this is the first truck you're looking at and want to buy, go look at several more (regardless of whether you intend to buy them).   Insist on taking the vehicle to be evaluated, spend some time looking ALL OVER IT, look for overspray where it shouldn't be, paint damaged on bolt heads that are not normally removed. Check for rust, missing fasteners, non-factory style fasteners, suspiciously new parts especially on non-wear items. Check for leaks, check fluid conditions and level (dirty isn't the worst thing in the world but exceptionally low is).   Ignore tire shine and plastic dressing that makes an engine 'shiny'.    Beware of heavily fragranced interiors to mask odd odors that could hide potential mold from a leaky rear window.   Carfax is barely worth the paper it printed on. DO NOT trust it, a vehicle can be wrecked, fixed by a bunch of drunk hillbillies in their cousin's backyard and still have a clean Carfax. I can meticulously maintain my vehicle at home with top quality parts, materials and methods, the Carfax won't show a thing.   Taking it to a shop to have a teenager working afterschool (an inexperienced mechanic) evaluate it is a waste of time.   Lastly, a good, well taken care of truck will present itself as such, it would be generally comparable to a new truck. An uncared-for truck will show it, dents, scratches, seat stains, paint swirls, tears, scuffs, marks, rattles, vibrations, clunks, miss matched tires, etc... 
    • asilverblazer
      New Guy from Oklahoma

      By asilverblazer · Posted

      If you suspect an engine swap or similar modification to the front accessory drive...   Maybe try spending some time plugging in different make/models/years that utilized the same engine (prime donor vehicles or swap candidates), vans, full-size cars (Impala, Roadmaster), 4x4 trucks to get a collection of pump and brackets that are similar along with their associated part numbers; take that collection of part numbers to the parts store to compare.   Another Okie.
    • newdude
      Lower trims ( WT, Custom, Silverado ( aka LT )

      By newdude · Posted

      There are knowns and unknowns.   Knowns:   - LT, RST and LTZ names/trims are gone.  The new "Silverado" trim level replaces all 3 of those.  You should be able to configure the Silverado trim to match the equipment levels of those three trims.    Unknowns:    - Custom.  No mention of what engines it will have access to.  Dual exhaust being standard does seem to confirm a V8 option for the Custom trim though.  My "guess" is that Custom will have access to the Turbomax and the 5.7.  I could be wrong though.  The current Custom trim went 2.7 Turbomax only the last 4-5 years, and only had a single side exit exhaust.     - 40-20-40.  I would imagine that is NOT going away.  They only focused on showing the new interior on the top trims, Trail Boss, ZR2 and High Country, hence the images shown are just bucket trucks up front.         The info should start coming fairly quickly over the next weeks and months.  Production is supposed to start up later this year, so when the order guide launches, you'll be able to see the configurations of engines, cabs, seating, etc.      
    • BDS my HD
      Brand new to this forum. Questions about re-gearing my 26’ HD

      By BDS my HD · Posted

      I don’t do offloading other than a dirt road literally for me it’s more about the look which I really appreciate a nice looking truck and I like sitting a higher and not just because I’m 5 foot seven lol..  I’m also not compensating for anything lol..  but I truly think it’s safer on the road the higher you sit you have better visibility generally speaking especially a few of your Sideview mirrors adjusted correctly. They do make a programmer rough country does they’re $1000 for these new 2500s but when I do a gear swap that would be a moot point. A lot of the shops that I go to in my area they’re all saying the same thing that Yukon Detroit axle Eaton Spicer Richmond they don’t have gear shot for these trucks which surprises me because hasn’t this body style been out since 2020? I’m hoping soon they have something because yeah I’ll have to spend the 3K to get both axles done. Thank you for all of your response responses. I apologize if there’s any grammatical error errors as I’m doing speech to text on my iPhone without proofreading 

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...