Hauling a 2008 R6 and a KTM 300 EXC in a short bed? Is there a load rating for the tailgate?

Looking to make a trip from Ohio to Virginia with my two bikes.

(2008 R6 about 6 ft in length and 350 pounds, and a 2004 KTM 300 EXC about 6 ft, and 240 pounds)

I have a short bed Tacoma, and am considering renting a trailer, but would like to know if it’s necessary if I just put the tailgate down?

I’m not sure if a 400 mile trip with the added weight on the tailgate is a good idea.

I’d assume it would be about 100 lbs on the tailgate assuming that the weight of the bikes is evenly distributed over the entire length of the bike (which it is not since the majority of the weight of the bike will be towards the front of the bed)

I am curious if there is a load rating for the tailgate of the Tacoma that is available on the internet ?

And if so, would you guys recommend getting a tailgate reinforcement or just renting a U-Haul trailer?

 

This has been asked a few times but I don't think anyone's found an official "max payload" specific to the tailgate. Some have commented they've bent the top cover from heavy loads.

Personally, I would do two things: In order of preference.

Rent a trailer. SO much easier to load and unload the bikes.

If you're going to use the bed, I'd cut out a 3/4" plywood made to fit the bed and tailgate. This takes weight off of the tailgate and helps prevent dents.

 

I second @phsycle 's comments. It is just too easy to drop a bike getting it up there, potentially injuring you as well as the bike. A trailer is best.

But if you must load it up there, you really need to protect the tailgate from denting in from the weight of the tire's relatively small contact patch on the composite tailgate cover. It is very easy to dent, they are pretty weak. There are aftermarket covers for that very reason.

 

I bought a new 10 KTM 250SX awhile back, LOVE IT!! I had a utility trailer I always used for my bikes. It was sooooo much easier to roll them up the trailer. My friend rolls his up, what a pain in the ass.

The MX bike would be fine, not sure about the road bike. PHSYCLE idea of plywood to disperse is a good idea. A piece of metal (1/8" at least) would be better.

You didn't mention if it is round trip? You could rent one from Uhaul cheap. Or maybe go on Craigslist & find someone selling theirs and offer to rent it for a couple of days.

 

I have driven a DR brush mower onto the tailgate. It's about 500 lbs. I didn't have the mower on the tailgate while transporting though. But it handled the weight just fine while loading.

 

F the trailer, no one wants to drive that slow on a road trip. Cut a sheet of plywood to fit the entire bed and the tailgate when open. This way the plywood would ease the weight on the tailgate. $30 and a half hour of work and your set for the trip.

 

Why drive slow!?! I pull 2 KTM 300s every weekend and roll 80mph. Get a damn trailer. And I got 285s.

 

I put a Honda Foreman 350cc ATV in my Short bed from time to time and have no problems. Of course it has those wide tires to distribute the weight better.

 

No problem. Trailer makes it easy, but it's not necessary. I've hauled my KTM 250 SX and Honda CRF 450 together from Colorado to California and Nevada and back several times without issue.

 

So I’m thinking since this would be the first and hopefully last time I need to haul both bikes 400 miles, I’m going to go with a 5x8 or 5x9’ trailer option from U-Haul.

For $20 I’ll make the 800 mile road trip with the peace of mind even if it means going 60mph.

Thanks guys!

 

Mobtown and a variety of other vendors make a metal tailgate skin to replace the plastic and reinforce the tailgate. Many just do that and have zero issues with bending

 

Yeah I read about them, for $125-$200 on a one time use i just wasn’t feeling it. If it happens again I’ll consider the Mobtown

 

You’ll be fine with those two bikes resting on the tailgate. A trailer is nice for loading but a pain on the rest of the trip for parking etc. I’d just load them in the truck and be done with it


Hodakaguy

 

Mobtown makes an aluminum tailgate cover for $250, it’s not much stronger than stock, but it’s one piece and looks better.

The very top piece on the stock trucks is plastic (not composite) and doesn’t last long. Mine was all messed up after a few months, so I put on the complete aluminum cover.

I’d be worried about the cables breaking before the metal tailgate.

 

I've hauled a bonneville bobber (502 lb), a bonneville T120 (494 lb) and a '02 fz1 (459lb) - not at the same time - from washinton to oregon and back in my taco with no tailgate problems. I googled tacoma tailgate failure and saw nothing pertaining to the inner skin or the support cables failing. if someone can find a pic "or it didn't happen" please post it. unicorns DO NOT count as a tailgate failure!

 

A pain for parking ??? It’s a 5x9 where did you “not” learn how to drive lol

 

The extra 12 feet attached to the rear of the truck will significantly reduce your parking space options. Can't just pull into any space like you can when not hauling a trailer. It has nothing to do with driving skill. I think that's what he was referring to.

 

All depends on where your heading and what kind of traffic you’ll be driving through. I can tow/back/park a trailer no problem..but that’s not the point here. I’ve towed one through Yellowstone as an example and it was a Real pain, try getting parking there with a utility trailer behind you. It’s the same reason I have a pop top camper on the back of the truck instead of towing a travel trailer...let’s you park and travel
anywhere I can take the truck without having to worry about the trailer. Parking is easier to find, getting fuel is easier etc etc. Try heading into down town Seattle and see how parking goes with a trailer .

I much prefer to load my dirt bikes in the back of the truck if possible and not screw with a trailer, it’s not exactly difficult to load a bike in a truck...using your logic I assume you haven’t been taught how to load a bike In a truck before? LOL. I’ve been to trail heads many times where there wasn’t a space left for a trailer to park and I was glad I had the bike in the truck.

Hodakaguy

 

Yep..exactly.

Hodakaguy

 

Just saying.