lol, yeah, you're definitely overthinking this. Can't say as I exactly blame you, tho, sounds like a rather decent chunk of monetary damage is potentially involved in a mis-step, but yeah, relax, you'll be fine, that tailgates prolly beefier than the cables.

Just avoid any herky-jerky movements up the ramp as you're loading. Make sure your bikes in 4wd and the trucks parking brake is set. Secure the ramps to the truck bed/gate and smoothly pull on up. I'm sure you've seen the videos of guys accidentally spinning the ramps out from under them while gassing and bouncing, etc, and that's never a good thing. Line up the ramps/bed/tires and just pull straight on up in one fluid motion. I typically stand up on the bike, one leg on one foot peg, other kinda kneeled down on the seat. Just gives you that extra split second of dismount mobility if needed. Might want to double-check the front bumper overhang/interference with the back cab glass, ask me how I know, lol.

 

Thanks for the info and reassurance. It's a lot of weight for the top 3-4 inches of the tailgate to handle and with my luck, I'd try and end up damaging the truck and ATV. I wish someone would do a real world test to find the limits. Most tailgates are rated around 400lbs by the manufacturer. But that is very conservative obviously. I've read many people say they have put well over 1k lbs on the tailgate without issue. Not sure how much higher I'd go. I'd love to find some ramps that are supported on the ground below the tailgate. That would ease my mind even more.

 

I have loaded mine in my 1500 Ram but leave the tail gate open short bed never had a problem but definitely thought about it Lol, traveled many miles with rear wheels on the tail gate never had a problem with that said I think you will be ok.

 

My tail gate holds up fine but I also drive a Chevy ???

 

Hi everyone. I did a search regarding this topic and didn't really find what I was looking for. Most posts and comments dealt with weight on the tailgate while the truck is moving. My question is the weight while loading the ATV. I have a Ram 3500 DRW (8 ft bed) and a 2019 max xt-p. The tailgate for the 3500s are pretty high and the xt-p with rider is about 1,200 lbs. I'll have to have longer ramps to the tailgate which will make the tailgate support all/most of the weight during loading, albeit temporarily. While traveling, I should be able to close the tailgate (haven't tried and it'll be close). I know the tailgate cables are rated for much higher weights than what I'm dealing with but I'm more concerned with the tailgate itself buckling under the weight. When I did a search for ATV ramps, I see TONS of pictures of people loading these big ATVs onto and over the tailgate so I'm guessing I'm over thinking this. Can anyone ease my anxiety about loading over the tailgate? Thanks!

Hey! I had the same worry over a year ago.

I run a Ford F-150 Crew Cab and own an Outlander DPS Max 570 (The 2-up version)

I bought the medium ramps from longramps.com and haven't had a single issue in over a year of use. You'd probably want the longest ones so you have a lesser angle to load (these are not cheap ramps by any means, just so you know.)

I load it directly into my truck bed and since my bed is not that long, I have to keep the tailgate open. I then secure the quad to the front inner tie down points with ratchets that I then attach to the rear of the chassis where the hitch ball would go. (attaching a drawing for reference on loading with ramps)

The tailgate in my truck can definitely handle the load, I suppose yours would to, but if you're unsure give them a call and ask them what's the rated weight for it.

Greetings from Ecuador and Good luck!

Note: I am in no way affiliated with the long ramps people, I just happen to have used their product.

Note 2: I know my English is not perfect, it's my second language so I apologize if some things are not very clear.

 

We load tracked atv's over the tailgate all winter. They get pretty heavy also. Never had an issue.

 

Our 570 rides right on the tailgate of my 16 Colorado diesel.

 

You will be alright as mentioned, but IF you are worried about the tailgate, do this:-

Get 4 pieces (height of open tailgate to ground) of 2"x 2" aluminum angle, cut a notch off one side of the angle (about a 2" square) so you can bolt the longer side of the angles to the side of your ramps.Bolt or weld some aluminum flat bar across the two legs for stability. This would allow the support legs to be folded to the under side of your ramps.
Same idea as ROCKCRUSHER's but no wood to lose & would fold out of the way.

 

Hi everyone. I did a search regarding this topic and didn't really find what I was looking for. Most posts and comments dealt with weight on the tailgate while the truck is moving. My question is the weight while loading the ATV. I have a Ram 3500 DRW (8 ft bed) and a 2019 max xt-p. The tailgate for the 3500s are pretty high and the xt-p with rider is about 1,200 lbs. I'll have to have longer ramps to the tailgate which will make the tailgate support all/most of the weight during loading, albeit temporarily. While travelling, I should be able to close the tailgate (haven't tried and it'll be close). I know the tailgate cables are rated for much higher weights than what I'm dealing with but I'm more concerned with the tailgate itself buckling under the weight. When I did a search for ATV ramps, I see TONS of pictures of people loading these big ATVs onto and over the tailgate so I'm guessing I'm over thinking this. Can anyone ease my anxiety about loading over the tailgate? Thanks!

If you are concerned about the cables, https://extrememetalproducts.com/i-23887083-full-size-truck-tailgate-support-for-utvs-and-atvs.html These are not slotted like the DG. brand and won't bounce it you ride with the gate down, and cheaper. As for the ramps a couple of 2x10 (Douglass fir)x7'-6" Get this at a lumber yard not the box store. I did not use the bottom pieces, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ELK39P2/ref=psdc_15737861_t3_B0007Y7Q10 I load on the lawn or dirt, the edge bites in. I see some add an eye bolt to the underside and use a ratchet strap to hold them in place.

 

I've loaded my wifes 2017 Outlander 570 Max right over the tailgate of both my 2008 Ram 1500 and my 2018 Chevy Silverado with no issues. The ramps I use are only 72" so the climb up the Ram is pretty steep with the sport package and 20" wheels. What I'm curious about is how that fancy 6 way tailgate on the new 2019 GMS Sierra would hold up. Anyone have any experience with that?

 

Hi everyone. I did a search regarding this topic and didn't really find what I was looking for. Most posts and comments dealt with weight on the tailgate while the truck is moving. My question is the weight while loading the ATV. I have a Ram 3500 DRW (8 ft bed) and a 2019 max xt-p....

I have the F-150 with the 6.5 ft box. For the riding season, I remove the tailgate altogether, put the ramps directly onto the floor of the bed and drive up/in.

The CanAm 650 fits in there fine and its held there by two ratchet straps: foot wells to front box corner hooks and one more large strap from the rear hooks, across the ATVs trailer hitch to the box hook on other side.

I know this isnt what you ve asked but just to advise.. you dont actually NEED the tailgate there especially with your 8 ft box.

 

I have a 2013 F150 SuperCrew with the 5-1/2' box.. I got long folding steel ramps. Have had it in the bed of the truck 2 or 3 times now with no issues. However i double and triple check everything prior to.. I line up the ramps with the tires while loading, and then creep my bike up to it, stop, double check to make sure the ramps are lined up, then ratchet them into place, then drive up the ramp in one smooth motion. Tailgate stays open the entire time.

When unloading i line up the ramps with the back tires, and ratchet them down, and then slowly back the bike down the ramps. I use my hitch as an anchor point for my ramps, and i always double check the straps before putting weight on them.

Someone on here posted these guys awhile ago https://extrememetalproducts.com/i-23887083-full-size-truck-tailgate-support-for-utvs-and-atvs.html for added support for the tailgate.

I drive an outlander 650 Max XT and i'm not a little fella either lol.. My tailgate has been doing just fine..

Just double check, safety is key when loading and unloading ANY bike, on or in a trailer or truck bed.
(Photo attached for reference)

 

One thing I do for loading into the truck bed is I built a couple of blocks from wood that I have on the truck bed floor at the front of the bed. When loading up, the tires of the ATV hit this before the winch or anything else can get near the rear window of the truck. Keeps me from accidently putting my ATV in the back seat of the truck. Just some simple 2x8 scraps nailed together, stacked up high enough to for the ATV tires to hit.

I normally have CanAm 850 in the bed of the truck (long bed Chevy) and a trailer with another ATV. I built some simple bridge ramps that go from the front rail of the trailer straight across to the tailgate of the truck. I have a couple of short ramps that go from the bed of the trailer to the rail. Drive the 850 up these little ramps, across the bridge and into the bed. Works great. Just have to have the truck and trailer lined up straight.

 

I bought the folding ramps from Canadian Tire that have a bit of arch to them. Bolted an extension to the ends where they sit on the tailgate and put a bolt at end that fastens into tailgate. I too use ratchet straps for insurance just for that time, the tail gate straps might brake. I also have an 8 foot truck bed and there is lots of room, even with my 6 inch stoppers at the front so ATV doesn't hit the truck rear window. Been doing this for 14 years on the same type of pickup.

 

I just put a 3/4 " piece of marine grade plywood down for extra support on the tailgate. Slide it out to the edge and of the tailgate and place ramps on it. Works great with the snowmobile also.

 

www.diamondbackcovers.com
this is a rack that sits on top of your bed while allowing you to still have access to the tailgate

 

I use these to load over the tail gate

Tailgate Support - DG Manufacturing

Protect your truck cargo! It is a common knowledge that truck tailgate cables fatigue, wear out, rust and ultimately fail over time. Without proper care and scheduled replacements, truck owners are under constant risk of snapped cables and subsequent costly repairs to their equipment. Until now.

www.dgmtailgatesupport.com