Stronger Tailgate Support Cables / Braces

[ATCguy]

I've asked this on another forum, but I figured I'd post it over here too, and we'll see what kind of answers I get (if any).

Question: Does anyone know of any company that makes stronger tailgate cables or braces?

Here's the issue:

Since I'm pretty good with a wrench and have a decently outfitted garage... my friends want me to tinker around with their motorcycles occasionally. (repairing, restoring, adding accessories, etc.) Most of these bikes can be ridden to my place, but occasionally I need to go pick one up. Some of these bikes are large Gold Wings & Harley dressers weighing over 900 pounds.

Now, of course I have a ramp that I use to load them in the bed... but, I have to admit that I'm pretty damned scared rolling some of these larger bikes up there. Why?

Well, it's my understanding that... although the tailgate can withstand the weight (especially the ones with the built-in step & handle), the weakest points are the tailgate cables themselves.

While no one will actually give a rating on the cables (either OEM or replacement)... the generally accepted number seems to be about 500 pounds.

Well, ok, you figure two 500 pound cables on each side ought to give you at least 750 pounds... and you figure since they always rate these things low to cover themselves legally, there's always some tolerance in there. But here's where the numbers get scary:

You take a 900 pound bike... then you add 2 (sometimes 3) people helping you load the thing, all standing on that ramp, with a good majority of the weight on the outer edge of that tailgate. If the average weight of the guys helping you load is 200 pounds... that's up to another 600 pounds added to the 900.

And the last thing I need is for one of those cables to SNAP while I'm at the apex of loading the thing. Because if one snaps, I can damn well be sure that the lone remaining cable isn't going to hold 1500 pounds by itself... and down with come baby, cradle & all.

So...

I've looked around the internet, and can't find any replacement cables that have a high-weight rating. All I can find are plain ole OEM replacements. I'm not sure if it's because I'm not looking in the right place... or, if because of the way the braided cables are made, there's no way to make them in higher strength ratings.

What I think I need are a pair of proper-length, high tensile flat-steel braces that I can conveniently use to replace the OEM cables when loading/unloading. If they were drilled & slotted on the ends like the OEM cable mounts, it'd take all of 5 minutes to swap them in & out.

Has anyone ever heard of such a thing... or know where I could get something like that?

I guess I could take my idea to a machine shop & have some made up... but it would seem that I can't be the only person that's ever had this issue.

Thanks...

[TrickTruck]

It's easy to figure out, simply measure the cable and look up what it'll take. I'm pretty sure they have a breaking strength well in excess of 500lbs.

[Jarrod B]

Um how about a tommy lift?

[ATCguy]

Originally Posted by Jarrod B

Um how about a tommy lift?

LOL... yeah, that'd work. But I don't need it often enough to justify the cost for one of those.

[Rexter]

shock load from rolling up across the gate isn't what to worry about. if the rear tire is sitting on the gate during transport, that is what to worry about. to distribute the load lay a piece of 3/4" plywood in the bed so all of the wieght isn't on the gate.

if your side business makes enough, consider a harbor freight or tractor supply trailer. they should be fine for in-town stuff. you can also find single rail trailers on c-list really cheap. 3-rails are a bit more. 4x8 utility trailers pop up cheap too.

[Rexter]

here ya go..

Utility Trailer

[Six0~Stroker]

There are steel bars that are made for loading purposes... They attach to your latch and the side of the bed on to the hooks...

Tailgate Support EX - YouTube

Tailgate Support EX - YouTube

Tailgate EX Support

[Jarrod B]

Originally Posted by Rexter

here ya go..

Utility Trailer

I like that idea. There are bike trailers everywhere.



Btw the girl in the vid is hot.

[Six0~Stroker]

I could have just posted the other link that I found FIRST... But I decied to "add" the video just for you guys







PS... I think SHE sells more kits then the fat guy talking about the product

[Alberta Advantage]

Take the tailgate off like the owner's manual says to do when loading and unloading. Don't think I've ever seen a pair of ramps that said it was ok to use them braced on the tailgate. Always have braced them by using the lip of the bed.