How much weight can a 2020 Tacoma tailgate hold?

Hey Tacoma World,

Does anyone know how much weight the tailgate on a 2020 Tacoma can hold?

This winter I will be transporting my snowmobile in the back of Tacoma, and I am a little worried about the tailgate bending.

As you can see in the photos I built a little bed liner, which may help distribute some of the weight.

What do you all think?

Best,
Justin

 

I'm nearly a fat 300 pounds and had to jump up on the tailgate to clear the snow out of my bed (tonneau cover coming).

I heard it creak for the first time, but it was fine. First time having that much weight on it.

I couldn't imagine there's that much weight being put on the tailgate with the sled fully in.

 

You will be fine. I have had my 2017 assault on my tailgate a bunch of times. There’s not a huge amount of weight in the rear end of a sled.

 

I've had a 225 lb dirt bike in the back, but I think I would trailer a sled mostly just because it must be a bitch to get it in and out.

 

If you cut a piece of 1” plywood to cover the bed and tailgate it will distribute the weight really well.

 

Hmmm I would say 500lb max. most of your weight is cover by your bed.

 

My guess is that it will be fine. If you are worried about it, I concur with @Sharpish add some lumber to distribute the weight.

Also - QS LB sport. Looks good. But I’m a little partial.

 

We took a 550 pound gun safe out of my truck today and when we rocked it up the tailgate had it all .

 

Wife and I have used my tailgate for a seat/picnic table in the parking lot several times when restaurants were closed for only takeout a few months ago. Probably 320-350 lbs between us and it doesn’t even flinch. Had the dog with us once and she’s another 60.

Reading here and my experience, I’m pretty sure it’ll handle more than you think it will.

 

I assume you drive in on. The full weight of the sled is basically on the tailgate as you "top the crest". So it can handle whatever your sled weighs and then some, unless you have some ramps that extend into the bed and transfer the weight there.

 

You should probably post a better pic of where the track actually rests. (You can’t tell from what you’ve posted so far). Taking 500lbs while loading something / sitting on the tailgate, is VASTLY different from taking that load while traveling down the road. But I would guess you are fine, plus I don’t believe Toyota (or any manufacturer) actually post that information as most people simply wouldn’t understand the difference between taking that load while still vs moving.

 

That amount of weight in a static position doesn't bother me. Driving over irregular pavement and having the weight come down hard on the tailgate might cause problems over time. I'd cut a piece of 3/4" plywood to the length of the bed and lowered tailgate combined. Should be a bit over 7'. It will have be cut to fit inside wheel wells too. Then I'd cut a couple of 2X4's to bed length and attach them to the plywood.

If you slide it into the bed with the 2X4's down it will raise the plywood about 1.5" above the tailgate. Or 3.5" depending on how you attach the 2X4's. This will keep most of the weight on the bed. The plywood may contact the tailgate, but it won't have the full weight of the snow machine.

It might not be necessary, but I'd have piece of mind. I have no idea how much those machines weigh. You'll have most of the weight on the tailgate when loading and unloading.

 

Other than having to ride a Polaris you’ll be fine.

 

That's what she said!

 

Had to transport qty:9 12 foot 4x6 wood beams and leaned them from the tailgate to the brake light no problem. Each one was about 50 lbs. but mine is a 2018.

 

this summer i helped drag a 900lb dead horse out of the bed of a '13 trd, creased the gate down the middle very easily as it slid out. trick is spreading the weight out so it spends as little time on the gate as possible.

 

Just resolve the moment caused by a load at the end of the tailgate into tension/compression couple to the cable and pivot pin at the hinge of the gate.

If you knew the grades of steel and diameter of bolts used you could back calc it fairly easily. Any engineering folks in the audience?

 

Having a couple people sit on the tailgate can be 500+ lbs pretty easily. You’ll be fine.

 

As mentioned; sitting there in the parking lot versus bouncing down the highway at speed, is a much different thing. I'd definitely displace the load, the truck box can handle just fine,,, the tailgate? It may buckle eventually.