Using the tailgate as a step

[williams1m]

Hey sorry for the newbie question, for those of us that don't have the bed assist step/handles, is it ok to use the tailgate as a step? Anyone know the weight that the gate can support when it's down?

 

[grinch72]

Hey sorry for the newbie question, for those of us that don't have the bed assist step/handles, is it ok to use the tailgate as a step? Anyone know the weight that the gate can support when it's down?

I'll only say this... I stand on it all the time... 6'5" 310lbs. Never once even worried about it. I would step/stand away but thats just my opinion based on experience. Not sure what the actual capacity is.

 

[williams1m]

Thanks, I'm a lot less than 310lbs so hopefully it won't be an issue.

 

[grinch72]

Thanks, I'm a lot less than 310lbs so hopefully it won't be an issue.

They have to know that people will be loading heavy things into these beds. Im sure they are rated for some large number!

 

[Jako]

"When vehicle is moving do not exceed 150 lbs. (69 kg) load on tailgate", from page 100 of the "Essential Information Guide" contained in my glove compartment.
When vehicle is not moving - Information on how much your pickup truck's tailgate can handle :
https://www.discountramps.com/truck-tailgate-capacity/a/b79/
I've had some heavy loads of lumber where I placed a 2X4 on the end of the tailgate to "pitch/elevate" the back of the load in my 2001 Dodge 1500. Don't know if there was anything in the owner's manual in 2001.

 

[grinch72]

"When vehicle is moving do not exceed 150 lbs. (69 kg) load on tailgate", from page 100 of the "Essential Information Guide" contained in my glove compartment.
When vehicle is not moving - Information on how much your pickup truck's tailgate can handle :
https://www.discountramps.com/truck-tailgate-capacity/a/b79/
I've had some heavy loads of lumber where I placed a 2X4 on the end of the tailgate to "pitch/elevate" the back of the load in my 2001 Dodge 1500. Don't know if there was anything in the owner's manual in 2001.

Another interesting read about tailgate cables and load. Seems they can take a good amount of static load but that load can change drastically depending on where the weight is on the tailgate.

http://www.ridertailgate.com/loading-truck-bed-using-ramps-s1/

 

[Lateralus]

All trucks have bed steps... they are called tires. Two hands on the bed rail, one foot on top of the tire... voila!

 

[devildodge]

With the new multifunction tailgate ram says it has a 2000lb rating...so it is overkill as very few 1500 trucks get close to a 1600lb rating...much less go over 2000

 

[Edwards]

"When vehicle is moving do not exceed 150 lbs. (69 kg) load on tailgate", from page 100 of the "Essential Information Guide" contained in my glove compartment.
When vehicle is not moving - Information on how much your pickup truck's tailgate can handle :
https://www.discountramps.com/truck-tailgate-capacity/a/b79/
I've had some heavy loads of lumber where I placed a 2X4 on the end of the tailgate to "pitch/elevate" the back of the load in my 2001 Dodge 1500. Don't know if there was anything in the owner's manual in 2001.

Is the owner's manual a misprint? If the regular tailgate has a moving load of 150 lbs, how is the new MF tailgate rated at 2,000 lbs? Assume that's static but still a difference. Apologize if my physics is showing...

 

[Bleda2002]

I'm sure the owners manual 150lbs is lawyer speak since they specify moving and for liability reasons thats all they tested it for. Considering how many people drive with golf carts, motor cycles, ATV's etc with the rear tires on tail gates in the short beds, the load limit of the tailgate is probably more than the payload rating of the vehicle.

 

[Jako]

With the new multifunction tailgate ram says it has a 2000lb rating...so it is overkill as very few 1500 trucks get close to a 1600lb rating...much less go over 2000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQhQuKqzfT8
2000 lb rating quoted at 2:58 or so of video.
Makes me wonder how Ram came up with the 2000 lb number and 150 lb number from my 2019 owner's manual?

 

[wwalljr]

Tailgates are made for a bunch of people sitting on with a cooler of beer...you’ll be fine.

 

[Dr. Jim]

Tailgates are made for a bunch of people sitting on with a cooler of beer...you’ll be fine.

But only if they're drinking "lite" beer!