I know I was suprised at how light they are

 

They are really light, but I would have to agree with you that they are strong. I haven't stood in the middle of one yet, but I don't expect a problem.

I had an F-250 which weighed a ton, but it bowed when a railroad tie slid into it.

 

On TN someone had loaded a motorcycle in back of their truck with the rear tire of the motorcycle resting on the tailgate and it bent it. There are pictures posted showing the bent tailgate. Tailgates are weak so becareful especially towards the top center of the tailgate.

 

*Bump* For those concerned about the inherent weakness of 2005+ Tacoma tailgates (as we all should be), here's a couple of interesting threads from Toyota Nation :

Tailgate mess v2.0

Tailgate Mess V3.0 Damage Pictures OMG!!

 

I've been reading those post and it is sad that our tailgates are that weak. I'm afraid of loading my bike in the back from now on because I don't want to bend the tailgate.

It's unfortunate that Toyota will not stand up and do the right thing by replacing the tailgates that get bent so easily.

I'm wondering if there is a way to reinforce those support beams in the middle, so they don't collapse. I remember seeing someone put a black diamond plate sheet in place of the composite cover. It looked sweet, but it had to be expensive.

 

I've had no problems with mine loading my 4wheeler on it and standing on it. The 4wheeler is not resting on it once loaded, but I do drive over the tailgate. If I remember right one of those bent tailgates was due to the bike falling off the ramp as it was being loaded and hit the tailgate which would happen to any tailgate from any manufacturer.

 

I loaded a fully dressed iron block engine on mine (400lbs+ in a very concentrated area) and the tailgate didn't bow or flex at all. I actually stopped in the middle to take a look...

 

I recently installed a lock for the tailgate on my (06) X-tend cab. This required the removal of the plastic cover on the tailgate. What was under the plastic was nothing short of shocking, thin thin thin metal with these little flimsy support thingies.

I can imagine in 5 years time seeing many Tacos sans tailgates. But not from theft......but because their beercan metal just fell off the truck.

This is just unacceptable. Like the service adviser telling me the miss in the engine at 1200 rpm was because it was a "truck" engine with "9" main bearings. Yeah right!

 

I recently installed a lock for the tailgate on my (06) X-tend cab. This required the removal of the plastic cover on the tailgate. What was under the plastic was nothing short of shocking, thin thin thin metal with these little flimsy support thingies.

I can imagine in 5 years time seeing many Tacos sans tailgates. But not from theft......but because their beercan metal just fell off the truck.

This is just unacceptable. Like the service adviser telling me the miss in the engine at 1200 rpm was because it was a "truck" engine with "9" main bearings. Yeah right!

I agree. My 89 Toy PU tailgate was built pretty good. I use 3/4 plywood whenever I load heavy items in my 05 Tacoma now. I rather be safe than sorry. It's pretty sad how Toyota dropped the ball on the construction on these tailgates.

 

I'm on tailgate #2. I've loaded a motorcycle with no problem, just don't stand on the sides when it's down (i'm only about 170ish.)

 

The tailgate is the worst thing about this truck. It is so light, it's rediculous, seems much much lighter than my old Tacoma. Mine is "sprung" or something and I have to push on one end to get it to latch. I can't remember doing anything to it. I am afraid to put on 4 wheeler on it so I use a trailer. The tailgate on the Ridgeline is way heavier.

 

We want power they give us power -
We want high MPG they give us that-
We want it all -

If you think you can design a better truck, save weight on every part that is possible, keep it reliable, tough, good looking, refined, etc. then email your resume to ToMoCo I am sure they would be willing to see your design work -shop drawings and all calculations on a redesign of this current model Tacoma.

You can not have everything guys, if the tailgate can only load a CRF450X (Dry Weight = 250 lbs.) instead of a (HD Road King Dry Weight = ALOT) well I for one am going to give them a little slack.

 

yeah and u know how it is when people have a problem they blow it way out of proportion. im not defending just toyota here either. according to the people that weigh 170ish on down saying they heard "noises" and caused damage by standing on them are silly. maybe i got lucky, but im 180-185 and it was solid as a rock with me sitting on it right in the middle. i even bounced up and down.

 

yeah and u know how it is when people have a problem they blow it way out of proportion. im not defending just toyota here either. according to the people that weigh 170ish on down saying they heard "noises" and caused damage by standing on them are silly. maybe i got lucky, but im 180-185 and it was solid as a rock with me sitting on it right in the middle. i even bounced up and down.

I'm silly because my tailgate broke? It's under warranty so i really don't give a damn. I love everything else about the truck (maybe not the brakes.) I use my bed on a weekly basis to haul random stuff and yes, the tailgate is weak. Hell, maybe it was just bad luck.

 

well like i said maybe im lucky, but it still is in my mind when it comes time to load a quad up. as far as the brakes maybe im luckyt there too

 

Sorry to hear some are having problems with tailgates... My 2004 seems rock solid, even before the Line-X...

 

well like i said maybe im lucky, but it still is in my mind when it comes time to load a quad up. as far as the brakes maybe im luckyt there too

i'm used to driving sport sedans with 4 wheel disc brakes, so i'm a little spoiled in that dept.

 

im not so i see your point

 

The tailgate is the worst thing about this truck. It is so light, it's rediculous, seems much much lighter than my old Tacoma. Mine is "sprung" or something and I have to push on one end to get it to latch. I can't remember doing anything to it. I am afraid to put on 4 wheeler on it so I use a trailer. The tailgate on the Ridgeline is way heavier.

Wow! comparing and saying that a Ridgeline tailgate is built better than a Tacoma tailgate. The worst thing about it, it's true.

 

I have driven my 2005 Taco with my Honda ST1100 in the back on a few day long drives. The ST1100 weighs 800 lbs, and the rear tire sits on the open tailgate, though near the leading edge.

While loading the bike, I use two ten inch wide planks, with plank ends that run the full width.

I use two more planks to the left of the ramps to walk on as I run the bike up using bike power. My body weight is supported on the two additional planks and does not add to the bike's weight.

The tailgate has always seemed solid to me. But I am now considering some form of additional support, either temporary or permanent.

Doesn't look like a good design at all. I'm surprised there is no warning in the manual.

 

We have used our '05 Tacoma for hauling wood, gravel, top soil, mulch and even a few trees. I havent ever been careful walking around in the bed or on the tailgate when down. I have pretty much stepped/stood on every part of it without a dent or much of a flex, and I am 265 lbs.