Hauling buggy in Mid-size pickup

Posts: 23

I've read topics on hauling the buggies in full-size pickups, but what are my options for hauling in a Nissan Frontier. I got the long bed, so the buggy measurements seem to work, but they say the tailgate is only supposed to support 200 lbs!!!

I've got some ideas of my own, but I wanted to see if anyone is doing this already with a smaller truck and if they had concerns about the tailgate.

Posts: 1832

Back it in the truck so the front end of the buggy is on the tailgate. That should have your weight problem solved. All of the heavy parts (such as motor/CVT, swingarm, seats,etc) are then in the bed of truck and not resting on the tailgate.

Posts: 23

The concern I have is when I'm taking it up the ramp. The 450 lbs is climbing up the tailgate. Should I be concerned about that?

Posts: 1832

Can you let the tailgate drop down so you don't use it to load? Does your truck have cables to hold the tailgate or flat steel on the sides? Whenever I carry my buggy I trailer it or carry it on a flatbed so I've never had this problem.

Posts: 1163

You could start by buying a real truck! Seriously, I'm 250lbs so I guess I couldn't stand on it? I would imagine they don't want more than 200 lbs while driving as bumps will increase the load on the tailgate. While backing up the ramps a signifigant portion of the weight is being transfered to the ground through the ramps. If your really worried about it remove the tailgate when transporting the buggy. It does pop of in 10 seconds like the REAL (Ford) trucks, doesn't it!

Posts: 2584

Don't worry about it...
The truck will handle the weight of the buggy while you back it up there. The 200lbs limit is a joke and not very practical. Heck at that rate you couldn't even climb in the back of the truck and we all know people that do that. If you're real concerned about it, place some wood along the entire length of the truck and ride it up and over these planks in the truck. They'll help distribute the weight into the bed. If it were mine, I wouldn't even worry about it. If it failed I'd file a warranty claim.

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Chris Dierkens
TeamHog

Posts: 2584

Speaking of hauling a buggy. I just remembered what it look like when IM4SEVEN was hauling his buggies to the NE Buggy Bash. He knows how to haul a buggy or two.

By the way, IM4SEVEN, do you know where I can get one of those single seat 125cc buggies like you have? If you see one let me know. I've got someone who it would be perfect for.

Thanks,

Chris Dierkens
TeamHog

Posts: 2641

I have a toyota tacoma... My manual only gives me max capacity in the bed of the truck, nothing about the tailgate!!! lol.. I have had my buggy in the back of my truck three times and NEVER, knock on wood, had any issues. if you have supports on each side of the tailgate you will be fine with the buggy in there... by supports, I mean those little metal cables (look like plastic) that hold the tailgate from falling down... The weight limit is probably due to the inferior metal and plastic that they use to construct the budy of the truck, and if the weight is not evenly distributed, it could cause alignment issues with the gate or closure issues... but the front of the buggy would be fine resting on there, and backing the buggy up will be NO problem... again... if you are that worried, do exactly what TH said... buy yourself a set of 2X6 planks and spread them out over the bed to help distribute the weight! using ramps and backing on should not harm the truck!

John Very Happy

Posts: 668

I've never heard of anybody having trouble, including people who drive big 4x4 4-wheelers up it but I guess it could happen. Probably a liability thing. I drove mine up ramps into the back of a toyota for years, including getting a pretty good run at it...

Posts: 23

Nice...

I didn't think it was a problem and I knew the 200 lb limit was a cautious number, but I figured rather than ending up ticked, I'd better ask. It does have the cables to hold the gate...the only thing I am missing is FORD rust for traction.

Thanks guys.