From time to time I plan on loading my scooter in the back of my 2005 Dodge Pickup. I spared little moneyin a quality ramp to do so. http://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle_ramps.htm

Wodering if I should remove the tailgate all together or just keep the tailgate on, lower it and put the ramp on the gate? Seems like a lot of weight for a tailgate straps to hold while I load the bike!?!?!

Thoughts?

 

I've loaded my bike on the truck (06' GMC 2500HD) with the tail gate on only once. All was fine. That said, obviously I have no experience long term.

 

Unless you have the long bed you may need the tailgate on for the rear tire to sit on. My SG sat right at the seam of the bed and tailgate. Even with the Big Dogs from Discount Ramps I decided I didn't want to do the pick up thing very often and bought a trailer. Still scared the crap out of me! But I'm a wimp sometimes

 

Tail gate on.

I have a three peice floding ramp like the one you have.

Ford F250 8 foot bed, 2003 FLSTCI , Pringle wheel chock mounted in bed.

Bike fits in with tailgate closed.

Check cable holding tailgate often, if really worried you can replace these with steel brackets.

 

Those covered cables on the tailgates will break, Trust Me. I say take it off and if the truck is a short bed put a good piece of 3/4 in of plywood in the bed that sticks out a little past the seem.

 

why didn't you buy a trailer? How ever I loaded a quad for years on a half ton dodge tailgate.

 

What SMUNDORF said! It'll hold just fine and you need the room. Especially if you dork it up, go in too fast, and bounce off the front of the bed. Without a tailgate you'll find yourself back on the ramp. Leave it on.

[IMG]local://upfiles/35632/0C4B4F4629454A4F846156AD185B4DE5.jpg[/IMG]

 

I can load my Road King in my Toyota pickup, not a Tacoma, not a Tundra, just a pickup, with the tailgate on and have been doing so for years with no problems. Surely it wouldn't pose a problem for big 'ol Dodge. Of course, my Toyota has metal hinged straps instead of those cheesy cables like some trucks have.

 

I have a 06 GMC 1500 and left my tailgate on to load my 07 RKC and was just fine

 

06 nissan frontier 06 gold wing does fine sitting on the tail-gate short trips.