I have driven my Honda atv up on mine with no issues and that combined totally is over 750lbs.
Tail gate load capacity?
Does anyone know what the load capacity is for the RL tail gate? I recently had to unload a 500 lb wood chipper using 2x12 planks to slide it to the ground. While I feel certain the weight was not an issue for the tail gate I did wonder how much weight would be too much.
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Owners Manual Pg 402 states 300 lbs limit.
Might check out the "$6 safety chain for passenger side of tailgate". Works on the G2 also.
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/...3-6-safety-chain-passenger-side-tailgate.html
Might check out the "$6 safety chain for passenger side of tailgate". Works on the G2 also.
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/...3-6-safety-chain-passenger-side-tailgate.html
The Owners Manual states the limit on the tailgate as 300 lbs while driving. I did not see a limit while parked.
The safety chain is still a good idea.
The safety chain is still a good idea.
300 lbs., OUCH! Guess I won't be sliding anymore 500 lb. wood chippers off. Actually I positioned 2 2x12" 8' boards under pallet then used tractor to pull pallet forward until boards angled down to ground and pallet slid off. It was a very brief and incomplete load and tail gate still looks and functions normally.
Re: Tailgate load capacity?
When speaking with truck owning friend I asked him to estimate RL's tailgate load capacity. He got really close and added he bent the tailgate on his Ford F-150 by sliding too much weight off it. Seems this may be a universal Achilles heel. It would probably be wise for truck manufactures to put sticker inside bed listing limits for bed load, tailgate load, hitch load and towing. I envision a situation where someone weighing close to 300 lbs. has moved several hundred pounds of grain to tailgate then stands on it to step down to off load grain.
When speaking with truck owning friend I asked him to estimate RL's tailgate load capacity. He got really close and added he bent the tailgate on his Ford F-150 by sliding too much weight off it. Seems this may be a universal Achilles heel. It would probably be wise for truck manufactures to put sticker inside bed listing limits for bed load, tailgate load, hitch load and towing. I envision a situation where someone weighing close to 300 lbs. has moved several hundred pounds of grain to tailgate then stands on it to step down to off load grain.
On Gen 1's the same 300 lb limit was listed, however the leader of the Ridgeline design team (Gary Flint) noted that this was a 300 lb dynamic limit - the tailgate was rated to hold 300 lbs while in motion with a load bouncing up and down on it. The tailgate was touted as the "strongest in the industry" and for loading / static purposes it could handle much more weight (don't remember the exact number but recall it was pretty large). If the Gen 2 limit is also 300 lbs dynamic, you should be fine.
There is an interesting thread from 2005 on the Temple of VTEC where the user "Kodiak" takes people to school on the capabilities of the Gen 1. It is well worth a read considering the real identify of "Kodiak". Note that in this thread he mentions the fact that the Gen 1 tailgates are so strong that you could park 2 Ridgelines end to end with their tailgates down, and safely park a 3rd Ridgeline with its wheels resting on their tailgates. Note also the comments on strength of the tie-downs and tow hooks: http://www.vtec.net/forums/one-message?message_id=388353
There is an interesting thread from 2005 on the Temple of VTEC where the user "Kodiak" takes people to school on the capabilities of the Gen 1. It is well worth a read considering the real identify of "Kodiak". Note that in this thread he mentions the fact that the Gen 1 tailgates are so strong that you could park 2 Ridgelines end to end with their tailgates down, and safely park a 3rd Ridgeline with its wheels resting on their tailgates. Note also the comments on strength of the tie-downs and tow hooks: http://www.vtec.net/forums/one-message?message_id=388353
Thanks for that reminder Festus!
Anyone know where those pics / videos are of the GenI doing the torture course with a full payload at insane speeds???
That was / is one tough vehicle!! Most people have NO IDEA.
Too bad they didn't involve Gary (Kodiak) in the GenII's development. It would have probably been a bit closer to what I am looking for . . . .
Anyone know where those pics / videos are of the GenI doing the torture course with a full payload at insane speeds???
That was / is one tough vehicle!! Most people have NO IDEA.
Too bad they didn't involve Gary (Kodiak) in the GenII's development. It would have probably been a bit closer to what I am looking for . . . .
Most well-engineered products have limits listed somewhere around 30%-40% Of their real limits, based on my experience.
Take boats for example. Their weight capacity is at least twice what is listed on the capacity plate, but they are underrated to make sure you're not taking an overloaded boat out in bad conditions where high waves can inundate the deck and get you into trouble quickly.
Quality rope or line is another example. Better rope is rated at one-third it's actual breaking strength. Dynamic loads play a large part here, also.
It's when you buy really cheap products from fly-by-night companies that you really have to pay close attention to rated limits. Don't bet your life on cheap equipment!
Take boats for example. Their weight capacity is at least twice what is listed on the capacity plate, but they are underrated to make sure you're not taking an overloaded boat out in bad conditions where high waves can inundate the deck and get you into trouble quickly.
Quality rope or line is another example. Better rope is rated at one-third it's actual breaking strength. Dynamic loads play a large part here, also.
It's when you buy really cheap products from fly-by-night companies that you really have to pay close attention to rated limits. Don't bet your life on cheap equipment!
Thanks for the link. Makes me feel better about off-loading the chipper.On Gen 1's the same 300 lb limit was listed, however the leader of the Ridgeline design team (Gary Flint) noted that this was a 300 lb dynamic limit - the tailgate was rated to hold 300 lbs while in motion with a load bouncing up and down on it. The tailgate was touted as the "strongest in the industry" and for loading / static purposes it could handle much more weight (don't remember the exact number but recall it was pretty large). If the Gen 2 limit is also 300 lbs dynamic, you should be fine.
There is an interesting thread from 2005 on the Temple of VTEC where the user "Kodiak" takes people to school on the capabilities of the Gen 1. It is well worth a read considering the real identify of "Kodiak". Note that in this thread he mentions the fact that the Gen 1 tailgates are so strong that you could park 2 Ridgelines end to end with their tailgates down, and safely park a 3rd Ridgeline with its wheels resting on their tailgates. Note also the comments on strength of the tie-downs and tow hooks: The Temple of VTEC - Honda and Acura Enthusiasts Online Forums > Ridgeline - General Talk > > Re: Fact: Ridgeline has not met sales expectations, but why?
I did not think the tailgate per se is the limiting factors more so the support cable. Most other PUs have two which would lead me to believe they would have greater capacity. The chain mentioned above looks like it would address that issue
I purchased a gun safe that the store loaded my Gen. 2 Ridgeline. They pushed it tight to the tailgate and then tipped it over and slid it into the bed. I un-loaded it with the help of three friends. We slid it out until we reached the tipping point, one held the top back while we lowered it onto a hand truck. The safe stated had an empty weight of 620 lbs. + the weight of the skid it was mounted on. There is no apparent damage to the tailgate. It opens and closed in both directions with no sign of bending, twisting, or buckling. If I had a choice I don't think I would do it again, but it held with no apparent damage.Does anyone know what the load capacity is for the RL tail gate? I recently had to unload a 500 lb wood chipper using 2x12 planks to slide it to the ground. While I feel certain the weight was not an issue for the tail gate I did wonder how much weight would be too much.
I agree It would be helpful ion HONDA would give a weight limit for the tailgate in the owners manual, or a sticker somewhere on the vehicle.
hauled this bike 200+ miles. Weighs 713lbs. I would guess the back to be near 400lbs sitting right on the edge of the gate. Stupid? Maybe.I purchased a gun safe that the store loaded my Gen. 2 Ridgeline. They pushed it tight to the tailgate and then tipped it over and slid it into the bed. I un-loaded it with the help of three friends. We slid it out until we reached the tipping point, one held the top back while we lowered it onto a hand truck. The safe stated had an empty weight of 620 lbs. + the weight of the skid it was mounted on. There is no apparent damage to the tailgate. It opens and closed in both directions with no sign of bending, twisting, or buckling. If I had a choice I don't think I would do it again, but it held with no apparent damage.
I agree It would be helpful ion HONDA would give a weight limit for the tailgate in the owners manual, or a sticker somewhere on the vehicle.
Any noticeable flex horizontally across the tailgate?
hauled this bike 200+ miles. Weighs 713lbs. I would guess the back to be near 400lbs sitting right on the edge of the gate. Stupid? Maybe. View attachment 407953
Yikes.hauled this bike 200+ miles. Weighs 713lbs. I would guess the back to be near 400lbs sitting right on the edge of the gate. Stupid? Maybe.
Why not lay down a 2x6 or 2x8 board in the bed, the length of the bike.
This would have given the rear tire a more stable platform and more evenly distributed the weight.
What is the weight distribution of that bike? Also, is the 713lbs dry weight, riding weight, or Gross?hauled this bike 200+ miles. Weighs 713lbs. I would guess the back to be near 400lbs sitting right on the edge of the gate. Stupid? Maybe.
I dont think the cable holds the tailgate down all by itself. With the gate down, I still have a very little slack on the cable. Also, I am not sure how much load that latch can hold, let along hold that at an angle.......or help that cable out a little.
Weight/gravity is what holds the tailgate in the down position, no? Supporting the passenger end of the tailgate, when down, simply takes some of the load off the cable, no? 🤷♂️ Is it necessary?.....no, it can just be easily done.
I would think the tailgate latch is reasonably substantial.......if a heavy object in the bed shifted and slammed into the tailgate, the tailgate latch would likely hold, no?
I would think the tailgate latch is reasonably substantial.......if a heavy object in the bed shifted and slammed into the tailgate, the tailgate latch would likely hold, no?
See post #13 here:
www.ridgelineownersclub.com
The poster, Kodiak, was the Chief Engineer in charge of developing the G1 Ridgeline. I doubt the tailgate in the current Ridgeline has changed much from the original design.
The tailgate is rated for a static load of 300lbs. They obviously had somewhere north of a ton on the tailgates during testing, so 300lbs should be a good conservative estimate for a static load.
What many of us are interested in is the threshold for the fatigue load, in other words, how much bouncing of 300lbs on the tailgate can the tailgate withstand over time? So far, none of the engineers at Honda have been forthcoming with that data.
For a number of members, we have had the cable break due to corrosion over time. The secondary chain / cable / turnbuckle setup on the opposite side of the gate is good insurance against cable breakage. So far as I know, there have not been any reports to date of the tailgate physically bending or breaking due to too much weight. 1A
Tailgate is MUCH stronger than honda admits!
K so here i am fishing out at the lake with my girl. Me and her are both sitting on the tailgate with our poles and this HUGE russian guy comes over. Anyway he starts chatting and then just sits on the tailgate beside me :eek: my girl is 98lbs. im 240lbs and this guy had to be pushing...
www.ridgelineownersclub.com
The poster, Kodiak, was the Chief Engineer in charge of developing the G1 Ridgeline. I doubt the tailgate in the current Ridgeline has changed much from the original design.
The tailgate is rated for a static load of 300lbs. They obviously had somewhere north of a ton on the tailgates during testing, so 300lbs should be a good conservative estimate for a static load.
What many of us are interested in is the threshold for the fatigue load, in other words, how much bouncing of 300lbs on the tailgate can the tailgate withstand over time? So far, none of the engineers at Honda have been forthcoming with that data.
For a number of members, we have had the cable break due to corrosion over time. The secondary chain / cable / turnbuckle setup on the opposite side of the gate is good insurance against cable breakage. So far as I know, there have not been any reports to date of the tailgate physically bending or breaking due to too much weight. 1A
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