How much weight can a closed tailgate support across it

[OldBill]

Looking to haul about 4 sheets of 4x8 plywood in the 6 foot bed of my 2023 Ranger.
I was hoping to transport it with the tailgate up to keep it from sliding out the back.
I have searched all of Ford's documentation but can't find any mention of how much weight the tailgate can support across the top edge.
Does anyone on this forum have this info, total weight of these sheets will be about 150 pounds.

Thanks for any and all input ,

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[AzScorpion]

Sorry, I really have no idea but going out on a limb here, if you have a damper....

 

[Grumpaw]

Three.....cause have only this much on one hand to count......six if count both hands you do......

 

[AzScorpion]

So I found this post where it says 485lbs.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/tailgate-ramps.26648/post-617360

 

[Rinn69]

Thanks for any and all input ,

^^^ This is all the jokesters saw ? I remember seeing or reading something like 350 lbs ?‍
See above post from AzScorpion ?

 

[Texasota]

I built these racks for this very purpose. Have used them several times and even hauled an airplane propeller with them:

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/4x8-sheet-goods-rack.5043/post-522005

 

[5thranger]

So I found this post where it says 485lbs.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/tailgate-ramps.26648/post-617360

I cannot believe you put that illustration on here and no damper in sight, for God's sake you could have just drawn one on.

 

[YaBoiNewton]

Looking to haul about 4 sheets of 4x8 plywood in the 6 foot bed of my 2023 Ranger.
I was hoping to transport it with the tailgate up to keep it from sliding out the back.
I have searched all of Ford's documentation but can't find any mention of how much weight the tailgate can support across the top edge.
Does anyone on this forum have this info, total weight of these sheets will be about 150 pounds.

Thanks for any and all input ,

I weigh 190 and it appears to hold me up just fine ?

 

[Motorpsychology]

You should be ok with plywood. the weight is distributed across the whole tailgate, and not just a single point, like a 9 inch section of black iron pipe, for instance. Plus, with the tailgate up, much of the weight will be shifted to the front of the box.

The fun starts when pulling the sheets up out of the box.

 

[Big Blue]

I've done what the OP is planning many times, and and I only have the 5 foot box. With the tailgate up and latched, the weight the tailgate sees is only part of the total weight of the plywood. It is also evenly distributed across the width of the tailgate. Not sure what the actual limit is, but 4 sheets will be no problem.

My suggestion is to slide the first sheet in with the tailgate down then lift and close the tailgate, then slide the rest of the sheets in.

By the way, I believe the weight limit in @AzScorpion post is the load with the tailgate open

 

[OldBill]

Thanks for all the replies. Really like the home built supports with the carpet treads, seriously over engineered just like I unusually end up doing !!!!!
My old 2002 Ranger had a steel tailgate, a little worried about the aluminum one on the 2023 but it looks like I should be fine....... But my big concern still remains , will this harm my damper !!!! Cheers !

 

[AzScorpion]

Thanks for all the replies. Really like the home built supports with the carpet treads, seriously over engineered just like I unusually end up doing !!!!!
My old 2002 Ranger had a steel tailgate, a little worried about the aluminum one on the 2023 but it looks like I should be fine....... But my big concern still remains , will this harm my damper !!!! Cheers !

No worries Bill, your tailgate will fold long before your damper gives out. ?

 

[OrangeStreak]

So I found this post where it says 485lbs.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/tailgate-ramps.26648/post-617360

How much weight can you add to this with the extra support of an installed Damper? ?

 

[Chris M]

How much weight can you add to this with the extra support of an installed Damper? ?

There is no extra support from the damper, except for those in this forum that have been blinded by the excess 303 spray.

 

[harringtondav]

Per

How much weight can you add to this with the extra support of an installed Damper? ?

My physics learning opinion is the damper doesn't much of anything to take load. Its too close to the hinge to take any load. ....likely there to keep the tailgate from banging down. If the cables fail these dampers will follow the carnage without blinking.

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