Loading ATV's in 6' Bed w/Toolbox

Hey folks,

Did a search, couldn't find what I am looking for.

I am looking at buying a 2019 manual TRD sport w/ 6' bed.

I am a timber worker and will need a toolbox. I would HIGHLY prefer to load my ATV onto truck bed rather than pull a trailer. I will have a Honda Rancher. Does anybody have experience doing this with tailgate down? Can the TACO manage this set up? I've looked at load ramps for front wheels on top of box but I would much prefer not to do that for fear of rear ending back of cab.

New to forums, Hi all. Thanks in advance.

 

I'm not much help, but I have put my Kawi Prairie 300 (2002?) in my bed. It just fits with the tailgate closed, but has to roll over the wheel wells.

I know with the 2nd gens, point loading the tailgate could/would cause it to bend. There are a few options to stiffen it. At least one vendor sells a steel tailgate cap that adds a bunch of strength, but you can also get steel/aluminum skins to replace the factory plastic. I don't believe Toyota has any rating for load capacity of the tailgate with it down, but I'm sure you could easily make up some solid steel replacements for the support cables if you were concerned.

How much room does your toolbox take up, and how far out will the rear wheels be on the tailgate? Your other option is to use a couple 2x12's in the bed to help redistribute the weight and support the rear wheels that are on the tailgate.

 

Thank you for the reply, I think your 2 * 12 option is genius... I've never seen it done but it will help a lot.

Toolbox is about 1.5' in length into the bed. I didn't even think about the ATV not clearing the wheel wells... I will have to look into that. I am not quite sure how far the wheels will be on the tailgait that's what I am brainstorming here...

Bed length is advertised 73.5",

Toolbox ~18" into that,

Tailgait adds another ~18" room?

ATV is advertised 75" in length, I am not sure how much that would shorten up to meet the sitting point of the back wheels on the tailgait. So, in all I am working with only inches to spare here, if any.

 

Just a guess, but if you put 2 2x12s or 2x10s in the bed and drive your ATV in so it sits with all 4 wheels on them I bed you would reduce the actual load on the tailgate by 80%. This would basically eliminate any concern for me if I were doing it. Driving over the wheel wells is no big deal, the composite bed will take it without a scratch. As long as you can end up with your front wheels planted on the boards you put down you will be fine. The built in D-rings/tie points will be adequate for securing it with ratchet straps.

**EDIT**
Also, last time I did this, I use blocks of wood to space the front bumper of the ATV away from the front of the box. The front rail isn't that strong and you don't really want to ratchet against it. I wedged a 6x6 against the skid plate, but since you have a tool box this may not be an issue.

 

My Honda Rancher 420 fits in between the wheel wells just fine. Don't know about the toolbox deal I always remove mine.

 

Mikey,

Quality- thanks for the reply...

Unfortunately I am going to need the toolbox when I got the toy on there. Thanks,

 

I can tell you my 2009 Honda Foreman ES 4X4 fits between the wheel wells, It has bent the tailgate a bit. I don't have a toolbox but I do have a headache rack to keep it from coming thru the back window. The reason I don't have a toolbox is because I haul the four wheeler around a lot during hunting season and I don't want to pull the box out for 6 months to put it back in.

 

Maybe tomorrow if I remember I'll grab my second gen with the long bed and toolbox and I'll see how the quad fits. Then let you know.

 

Man,

This forum is awesome.

Marsh- 6 Month hunting season man!? Sign me up-

Thanks Mikey, that'd be cool if you remembered that,

I can't imagine 2nd and 3rd gen beds being any difference than inches apart.

 

Here's a full, aluminum replacement. Reason for aluminum is so your tailgate dampener still works.

https://mobtownoffroad.com/product/2016-2020-toyota-tacoma-tailgate-reinforcement-plate/

This just replaces the flat part of it, but it's steel if you want that instead. It says 05-15 but it fits 05+

https://mobtownoffroad.com/product/2005-2015-toyota-tacoma-tailgate-reinforcement-plate/

 

Multiple seasons, But once it starts we just keep going lol.

 

You'd really want to strengthen that tailgate. It can be done but I don't trust it.

 

Yeah, definitely. You have quite the hangulation on the tailgate there. Got any 2x10's laying around to give my idea a try?

 

How about replacing your toolbox with a Decked platform? You'd have the big drawers UNDER the quad. And could close your tailgate.

 

Not a Tacoma... but you get the idea:

 

Heres a crazy idea - could you fab up another set of load ramps and park the front axle over the toolbox? Youd need to secure the front wheels, but at least it saves your tailgate

 

Building something with ramps to get it on top of the toolbox isn't a bad idea. Here's a product on Amazon..

Aluminum ATV Riser for Pickup Trucks

https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-ATV...rds=atv+riser&qid=1556131876&s=gateway&sr=8-1

 

I wouldnt have said it if I had seen your decked idea though. That might be the better solution, at least with the deck you can still access it with the quad loaded.

 

But Decked is $$$. he might be able to fab up some ramps for his toolbox and be golden. All good ideas!

 

I think he would be fine, but even with the 3rd gen having a better tailgate. I'd still want to some how beef up the stock tailgate and the cables that hold the gate. Along with that I'd run the 2x10s also.
Then some how install good tie down points.