Tailgate Load Capacity and Heavy Duty Cables

[Robert1380]

So I was wondering if anyone has beefed up their tailgate cables. I’m looking at buying an Atv that weights about 1000lbs and am concerned about destroying the tailgate during loading/unloading. Not sure if there’s a product that you can swap out for something a bit more robust?

Thanks gang.

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[Athrun88]

Can get something like this perhaps?

https://dgmtailgatesupport.com/product/full-size-ex-ford-f-150-5-5-8-beds/

There was another member here who was also transporting ATVs and they let their wheels rest on the tailgate with no issues. AI search says the tailgate can support approximately 500lbs but I assume that's if it was carrying something constant. If you're loading something and it just passes over the tailgate to the bed, I don't think there will be a failure even if the total weight is 1000lbs.

 

[Robert1380]

Can get something like this perhaps?

https://dgmtailgatesupport.com/product/full-size-ex-ford-f-150-5-5-8-beds/

There was another member here who was also transporting ATVs and they let their wheels rest on the tailgate with no issues. AI search says the tailgate can support approximately 500lbs but I assume that's if it was carrying something constant. If you're loading something and it just passes over the tailgate to the bed, I don't think there will be a failure even if the total weight is 1000lbs.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. But as your using ramps the tailgate will be taking the full force of the weight before the front tires land on the bed. That’s what worries me.

 

[RickLightning]

Always remember this is an F-150 in many respects. Tailgate capacity is 485 pounds I believe.

Ramps on the ground would be distributing the weight. Just take off the tailgate.

Buy a Diamondback with ramps and sideload. https://diamondbackcovers.com/products/diamondbackatvs

 

[Maquis]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. But as your using ramps the tailgate will be taking the full force of the weight before the front tires land on the bed. That’s what worries me.

Draw a force vector diagram. Any weight on the ramps will be split between the tailgate and the ground. The split will depend on the angle and the point of contact on the ramp. As long as the front tires are in the bed before the rears come off the top of the ramp, there’s no way the tailgate will ever see the full weight of the AtV.

 

[Robert1380]

Draw a force vector diagram. Any weight on the ramps will be split between the tailgate and the ground. The split will depend on the angle and the point of contact on the ramp. As long as the front tires are in the bed before the rears come off the top of the ramp, there’s no way the tailgate will ever see the full weight of the AtV.

Thanks fellas. Math was never my strong suit. Maquis, would you say the steeper the angle the less force would be paced on the tailgate?

 

[I <3 My Lightning]

Tailgate step is rated for 350lbs at a load point past the end of the tailgate. Typically engineering specs should be 3X static weight.

I have had more than that (approx 460+ lbs based on per foot of weight of a load of 10 ft sheets) multiple times when hauling sheetrock (picture in the truck stuff thread). I still have the diver side cable slack.

 

[Robert1380]

Always remember this is an F-150 in many respects. Tailgate capacity is 485 pounds I believe.

Ramps on the ground would be distributing the weight. Just take off the tailgate.

Buy a Diamondback with ramps and sideload. https://diamondbackcovers.com/products/diamondbackatvs

Thanks Rick.

Tailgate step is rated for 350lbs at a load point past the end of the tailgate. Typically engineering specs should be 3X static weight.

I have had more than that multiple times when hauling sheetrock (picture in the truck stuff thread). I still have the diver side cable slack.

Thanks for the info sir.

 

[chl]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. But as your using ramps the tailgate will be taking the full force of the weight before the front tires land on the bed. That’s what worries me.

Actually the bottom of the ramp is presumably on the ground so the weight is divided between the earth and the tailgate. If the ATV is ifully on the ramp, e.g., in the center of the ramp, 1/2 the weight is on each supporting end, ground and tailgate.

There are perpendicular and horizontal components on every part of the ramp and assuming the ATV has both wheels and all its weight on the ramp (no wheels on the bed or ground) half the weight is on the tail gate and half on the ground.

However there are other considerations besides weight, i.e., controlling the loading and unloading of the ATV. Too steep and angle and it will be difficult to control unloading and loading. The rule of thumb is to use an angle between 16 and 23 degrees for safety in controlling the loading/unloading on a ramp.


"...To find the right loading angle, you will need to know the length of the ramp and the height of the secondary surface (the surface the ramp is leading to), like the back of the truck you’re loading the machinery onto.

If you’re keen to test your math skills, now’s the time to break out the pencil and paper, as well as a trusty calculator. In order to find the angle of your existing ramp, follow these steps:

1. Begin by finding the ratio between the height of the secondary surface (the rise) and the length of the ground the ramp covers (the run), as opposed to the length of the ramp itself. This should be a 90-degree angle.
2. To calculate the angle of your ramp as it stands, use the arctan (inverse tangent) function on your calculator with the following formula: slope (angle) = arctan (rise over run).
3. Remember, as mentioned above, your desired angle for loading ramps is typically 18 degrees, with the safe loading angle range between 16 and 24 degrees. If your calculated angle is outside of this range, you may need to adjust the ramp’s length or the secondary surface’s height. Ensure this is done safely...."

From: https://www.bunyipequipment.com.au/need-to-know-safe-loading-ramp-angle

 

[chl]

Draw a force vector diagram. Any weight on the ramps will be split between the tailgate and the ground. The split will depend on the angle and the point of contact on the ramp. As long as the front tires are in the bed before the rears come off the top of the ramp, there’s no way the tailgate will ever see the full weight of the AtV.

The split is always 50:50 if the ATV is all on the ramp.

 

[Robert1380]

Actually the bottom of the ramp is presumably on the ground so the weight is divided between the earth and the tailgate. If the ATV is ifully on the ramp, e.g., in the center of the ramp, 1/2 the weight is on each supporting end, ground and tailgate.

There are perpendicular and horizontal components on every part of the ramp and assuming the ATV has both wheels and all its weight on the ramp (no wheels on the bed or ground) half the weight is on the tail gate and half on the ground.

However there are other considerations besides weight, i.e., controlling the loading and unloading of the ATV. Too steep and angle and it will be difficult to control unloading and loading. The rule of thumb is to use an angle between 16 and 23 degrees for safety in controlling the loading/unloading on a ramp.


"...To find the right loading angle, you will need to know the length of the ramp and the height of the secondary surface (the surface the ramp is leading to), like the back of the truck you’re loading the machinery onto.

If you’re keen to test your math skills, now’s the time to break out the pencil and paper, as well as a trusty calculator. In order to find the angle of your existing ramp, follow these steps:

1. Begin by finding the ratio between the height of the secondary surface (the rise) and the length of the ground the ramp covers (the run), as opposed to the length of the ramp itself. This should be a 90-degree angle.
2. To calculate the angle of your ramp as it stands, use the arctan (inverse tangent) function on your calculator with the following formula: slope (angle) = arctan (rise over run).
3. Remember, as mentioned above, your desired angle for loading ramps is typically 18 degrees, with the safe loading angle range between 16 and 24 degrees. If your calculated angle is outside of this range, you may need to adjust the ramp’s length or the secondary surface’s height. Ensure this is done safely...."

From: https://www.bunyipequipment.com.au/need-to-know-safe-loading-ramp-angle

Very informative. Appreciate it.

 

[chl]

Remember, 'weight' is a force, it is the acceleration due to gravity times the object's mass, or from physics:

F=ma (force = mass x acceleration)

The "a" is due to the curvature of space-time the mass of the earth produces, as Einstein explained in relativity.

So the weight of the ATV has a direction normal to (perpendicular to) the earth (ground), no matter what the angle of the ramp is, and the force (weight) will be divided between the supporting parts, in a simple ramp, the two ends. You could always put additional supports between the ground and the tailgate to divide the weight further.

 

[Grumpy2]

The problem with these calculations is that they are based on static conditions, loading a quad or side by side are dynamic loading since they are driven on.

I have seen sagging tailgates, but not broken cables. Just drive it in.

 

[El Duderino]

The DG support bars linked above are a good idea in this instance. I like them for another reason besides less stretch than cables. I like them because they keep the tailgate down also. My Flash has power tailgate and the tailgate bounces up very easily without any weight on it when hitting a bump, etc. The support bars force it down and don't let it bounce and slam. I haul dirt bikes and they sit partially on the tailgate but not enough to hold the tailgate down over certain bumps.

 

[Robert1380]

The DG support bars linked above are a good idea in this instance. I like them for another reason besides less stretch than cables. I like them because they keep the tailgate down also. My Flash has power tailgate and the tailgate bounces up very easily without any weight on it when hitting a bump, etc. The support bars force it down and don't let it bounce and slam. I haul dirt bikes and they sit partially on the tailgate but not enough to hold the tailgate down over certain bumps.

So are the DG support bars direct replacements for the cables?

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