How much can a bumper support

[libtech01]

This isn't so much a question regarding my trailer, but a question regarding my quad and loading it in my truck.

I have a 2015 Ram Sport Crew with the 5'5" box. I want to load my 2011 Outlander 650 in the box without the tailgate. I've figured out that if I use two car ramps in the box, and back it in, the front wheels sit about 4 inches from the rear of the box.

For safety, I want to extend my bed of my box by about 4 to 5 inches. In order to accomplish this I want to remove my tailgate and place about 4" of wood (2x4 or otherwise) along the length of the bumper. This will bring the bumper up to the same height as the bed. Then I'll get a sheet of 3/4" plywood to run the entire length of the bed and overtop of the wood sitting on the bumper. I'll then screw the plywood in to the wood on the bumper too.

My concern is can the bumper support the weight of the quad while loading? Once its loaded, there wont be any weight on the bumper. I know the bumper says max tounge weight for towing is 500 lbs. My quad is 670 lbs dry from what I understand, so with fuel and skid plates I gather its somewhere in the 800 lb range, 300 +/- lbs above that rating.

Now I figure there has to be some leeway in that 500 lb rating, as when you're towing let say 500lb of tounge weight the force will go up and down with bumps in the road.

Think it can support the 800 lb without bending any brackets while I'm simply loading the quad with the ramps? I attached a photo below of what I mean:

[Grit_dog]

libtech01 wrote:
I probably am over thinking it. Yeah the front wheels are definitely on the bed of the truck so thats not an issue, I just wanted to give a little more room for comfort is all.

I have zero concern with the weight of the quad in the back of the truck.

I don't want to use the tailgate soley because it will be in the down position while driving, and I don't want any rock chips.

There is a point in time while loading that the entire quad's weight is on the tri-fold ramp. However I am guess half the weight is still support by the ground and half by the truck correct? Because its distributed over the entirety of the ramp?

If you haven't driven a significant distance with a tailgate down, it doesn't chip up the tailgate from rocks, ever, in my experience. Rain or shine, snow, dirt roads, thousands of miles with tailgate down just on my current personal truck, including driving to AK with the camper loaded.
You'll get more rock chips everywhere else on the truck.

[BenK]

I'd just leave the tail gate on and in the lowered position

It is a truck, IMHO...but if road debris/stone/etc chips are of that high a concern...consider adding anyone of the front hood, clear plastic stone/debris tape to your tailgate

PS...wood is NOT a good material for this kind of usage. It will degrade quickly over time under dynamic loading. Toss in weathering and it will accelerate even more...unless protected from the elements...but the dynamic loading will still degrade it

[TakingThe5th]

Would it be possible to install your 4x4 to "extend" the bed after you load the quad? Or do the front wheels hang over too much? Might want to replace that 4x4 with a fabricated wooden tailgate-like setup (a 2x6 board?) that mounts in place of the tailgate and would help capture and hold the quad in place.

[libtech01]

I probably am over thinking it. Yeah the front wheels are definitely on the bed of the truck so thats not an issue, I just wanted to give a little more room for comfort is all.

I have zero concern with the weight of the quad in the back of the truck.

I don't want to use the tailgate soley because it will be in the down position while driving, and I don't want any rock chips.

There is a point in time while loading that the entire quad's weight is on the tri-fold ramp. However I am guess half the weight is still support by the ground and half by the truck correct? Because its distributed over the entirety of the ramp?

[TurnThePage]

Though I also think the tailgate could take the load, I agree with the OP's decision to remove it, or at least purchase one of those vinyl covers that protects it from road debris, if it has to stay in the down position. They also make straps that allow a tailgate to hang part way open. Something like this ventlock maybe...

[drsteve]

Grit dog wrote:
Bumper will hold that fine, but that's what tailgates are for. Pre made bed extender! You won't hurt it either and it will take u 0 minutes to make!

That's what I was thinking too. The tailgate isn't going to care--I've seen two or three big guys sitting on tailgates, seen the tailgate used as a ramp loading full dress Harleys, heavy snowmobiles, etc. with no problems.

[Grit_dog]

Bumper will hold that fine, but that's what tailgates are for. Pre made bed extender! You won't hurt it either and it will take u 0 minutes to make!

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

You'll be fine. You're loading a quad not a D4 in the back of your pickup.

[DutchmenSport]

With your idea, you will never have all 650 pounds directly on the "bumper". When on the ramp, some weight will be going to the ground, some to the truck bed, some to the "bumper". Once on the truck bed, 2 wheels are on the bed, and 2 wheels will be on your extension. 650 divided by 2 equals 325 pounds at most on the "bumper". Add the weight of the wood, and you still be OK.

If in doubt, add one more support from the ground to the bottom side of the bumper with a couple 2x4's. Then weight would be no problem at all, or even make that 4 inch extenstion 6 inches, and use a 2x4 support all the way from the ground to the bottom of the plywood? (if you have doubts.). ... Then after it's loaded, simply kick the 2x4 out and toss it in the bed of the truck. This way, there's absolutely NO weight directly on the bumper at all.

Just an idea!

[dodge_guy]

The bumper will not have an issue with loading the quad!

[TakingThe5th]

Please disregard this.

[Ralph_Cramden]

Huntindog wrote:

libtech01 wrote:
The photo is just an illustration. My ramps are long enough to get the quad in the back just fine with no high centering issue at all. I've loaded the quad many times prior. I've also had the quad in the back and on the ramps and there will be plenty of room. The plywood will not shoot out the way I am designing it. My only concern right now is the weight on the bumper WHILE i load it.

Payload wise the truck can handle 1550 lbs in the back of the truck. I'm not planning on towing so I'll be completely fine. Even if I did eventually tow my travel trailer I'd still be within limits, its small and I've already done the calculations.

Again my only concern is that 500 lb max tongue rating on the bumper and if it would hold the quad while I load it. I have always loaded with the ramps on the back of the box or on the tailgate, not on the bumper itself.

The term "payload" is being misunderstood here.

Payload is NOT the amount that the back, or bed of the truck can handle. It is the total weight that can be added to the truck... Options, tools, bedliners, passengers etc....

I, or should I say my wife misunderstood it yesterday. She called me while I was on my way home from work and asked if I would stop at the landscape supply where she was at, and haul some pea gravel home. When I pulled in, in my F150, I saw the guy that owns the place start laughing. She told him she wanted 2 tons and had already paid for it LOL.

I had the guy dump in as much as I could get in without spilling over the sides, an 8' bed with a 30" Weather guard box at the front.
Gravel=2911 lbs
F150 payload= 1880 lbs
Steering on way home= Very easy
Disaster/Calamity/End of world = NO

[Huntindog]

libtech01 wrote:
The photo is just an illustration. My ramps are long enough to get the quad in the back just fine with no high centering issue at all. I've loaded the quad many times prior. I've also had the quad in the back and on the ramps and there will be plenty of room. The plywood will not shoot out the way I am designing it. My only concern right now is the weight on the bumper WHILE i load it.

Payload wise the truck can handle 1550 lbs in the back of the truck. I'm not planning on towing so I'll be completely fine. Even if I did eventually tow my travel trailer I'd still be within limits, its small and I've already done the calculations.

Again my only concern is that 500 lb max tongue rating on the bumper and if it would hold the quad while I load it. I have always loaded with the ramps on the back of the box or on the tailgate, not on the bumper itself.

The term "payload" is being misunderstood here.

Payload is NOT the amount that the back, or bed of the truck can handle. It is the total weight that can be added to the truck... Options, tools, bedliners, passengers etc....

[Ralph_Cramden]

First off without seeing how Dodge mounts the bumpers you could possibly deflect it a bit.

Second I would not piss with any wood going by your picture, the contact points of the tires are sitting squarely on the bed floor. It's all about securing the load. I would put a 2" wide ratchet strap across the back from bedside to bedside along with whatever else your securing with, lock it in gear, and hit the road.

Perhaps your over thinking it coming from one overthinker to another?