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Just purchased a quad. Now I have the problem of the rear tires riding on the end of the tailgate. Ive searched the DG support brackets and another type called the guard dog. Just wondering what fellow members do in this case. I do not wish to trust the strength of the factory cables. Cheers.
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I just strap all 4 corners and drive
On the weekend I heard of ramps that you put in the bed that you drive up with front wheels it brings down the back end allowing the quad to be put with tailgate shut. The guy that was telling me about them had made ramps out of 2X10 to do the same thing, so he could haul his big camper and bring his quad. Worked real slick for him. He didn't want to spend the 400 to buy the aluminum factor ramps. Try google I have forgotten the name of them.. My old quad has all 4 wheels in bed, barely, if I buy new will have to look into these, as I don't want to have to trust the 2 lines to hold the weight or have to buy different truck with long bed.
Had to go google. So they are called risers several different makes or can make yourself. May not still be able to close tailgate but def get wheels in bed. Here is one link, there are others. This is just an example as I have not seen a store bought one, but the hand made one worked pretty good.
https://www.cross-trax.com/ATVHeight...ableRisers.htm
I was thinking of that actually. I have a fold up hard cover that i lose about 8 inches of clearing when its open.Quote:
Originally Posted by sabmgb
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I copied the design of the Louisiana guard dog and made my own. Worked quite well.
Honestly I really don't get the big deal about having to close the tail gate? Mine overhangs onto it, a couple good tie downs to cinch it in and it has travelled likely thousands of kilometres into the bush and back with no issues. Slide the aluminum loading ramps under it and you're good to go. That raised setup looks like a busted rear window waiting to happen. I put an empty hardwood pallet between the front of the bike and rear of cab so no busted rear windows.
I agree! Unless you're pulling a trailer and need the clearance, there's no issue with the bike rear tires resting on the tailgate. Check the cables? if they're in good shape, no problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by terrym
What does the bike weigh? 5-600 lbs? So half that weight would be on the tailgate? You might be over thinking it Goosesniper?
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Originally Posted by terrym
x3, you can probably lift the entire truck, with you bike in the back, off those two cables.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushmoose
Agreed. But Ive read some stories of the cables letting go and it ruins the gate. One year left on my lease. I think I will spend the $100 and get the dg brackets.Quote:
Originally Posted by terrym
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I would be more concerned about the front section of the box being damaged with the weight of the bike pushing against it using those ramps. Seems like it doesn't fix a problem, only moves it from the back to the front. They dont build truck boxes like they used to. The tailgate is the only part designed to support very much weight.Quote:
Originally Posted by sabmgb
In the 2003 model year,GM and Ford were using "outsourced" (read Chinese) tailgate cables that were separating from the cable end brackets allowing the tailgate to drop and rest against the rear bumper causing damage. The recall lasted all year until every cable was replaced under warranty and tailgates were repaired (approx.affecting 220 of our customers,not sure how many Ford fixed). Once new cables were applied,the issue disappeared completely. I've carried my quad in the back with the tailgate down with no issues for many years. Just be sure that it's strapped down on all four corners with the proper weight straps.Quote:
Originally Posted by Goosesniper
Bike weighs @ 700lbs. So half that weight gets spread out to the 2 cables and 2 brackets. You actually have 4 load bearing areas. No way an ATV will damage any of them. You are more likely to cause damage on the bed of truck with that rack.Quote:
Originally Posted by Goosesniper
Clearly the only solution is to get a new truck.......
Each to their own. I would think most of the weight would be on the 2 cables. Can probably find out what those cables are rated for. I personally don't like any weight on the tailgate, for an extended period of time. The biggest risk is probably when driving it up into the box, as all the weight is on the end of the tailgate and your weight as well. I don't mind it open. The home made ones I saw the guy had put a stop in so couldn't get to window. Biggest thing would be to close the tailgate so you could pull a trailer.
When the ATV is on a tilt in the bed of the truck, I do believe the laws of physics would say that the weight would go more towards the back. Now with the rear tires sitting close to the edge of the tailgate even brings more weight to bear on the mounting points of the cables. But, to each their own, I classify it under the "hold my beer and watch this". I use a trailer or other equipment suited for what I do.
We think you would be taking a big risk since the dynamic tension in the tailgate cables caused by uneven road surfaces could easily be several times the static tension. If transporting with a load on your tailgate is your only option then drive as if you were hauling a tub of nitroglycerin. We would have liked to have measured the dynamic tailgate cable tensions generated when trucks were driven down bumpy roads with various loads resting on the tailgate, but I could not find anyone willing to monitor the tension gauge while I drove.
I wish.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dythbringer
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Agreed. I don’t believe the cables can support the weight for an extended period. Thanks for your input.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fisherman
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What truck/quad combo are you running?? I have a full size gmc with full crew cab so in other words the shortest of short boxes, my Honda rincon (biggest quad Honda makes) with oversized tire/rim kit still fits in the box, can’t close tailgate but tires are still in the box. I’m guessing you are running a small truck??
Short box ColoradoQuote:
Originally Posted by duckslayer
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Ok ya figured must have been a smaller truck, good luck with whatever route you choose, hopefully works out for ya.Quote:
Originally Posted by Goosesniper
Fisherman, you have pretty much hit it on the head, the dynamic load on a rough road would be huge. Lifting the front up would do as you say, but I was talking about getting the tires off the tailgate. Colorado is a small truck with a small box, I'm surprised it is wide enough. My ram holds my 350 Honda with all weight in box, but tailgate open. My next quad will have to be bigger and will measure the length to keep it in box. Really don't trust the cables. Get a bigger truck.
A buddy built an extension rack that slips into his hitch receiver. He takes his gate right off. It works great with no worries about stone chips or other damage to his gate.
I’ve decided to make a set of brackets. I bought some 3/16 x 1.5 steel. Im drilling the holes and using a bolt and hex nut. Very similar to the DG support bar. I will follow up with a pic when I’m done.
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