[RJR]

When I picked up my 500 I was disappointed to find out that I could not shut my tailgate like I did with my 400. Even though I strap my bike in well, I hate riding with the tailgate down. I just feel more comfortable when it's up plus I don't have to worry about other stuff sliding out. This is what I came up with to keep the tailgate up on my Z-71. When I cinch the straps down, it tightens the tailgate against the rear tires. The weep holes were already in the tailgate so all I had to do is throw together a couple of quick-links. Works for me.

 

[dirtysouthforeman]

I have an 03 z-71 and I can close mine if I put it backwards. have you tried that?

 

[RJR]

My ramps are left over from when I had smaller bikes and they are pretty narrow. Part of my tires hang off of each side when I drive up them. I don't know if I've got the nerve to back up them. Plus the back basket rack prevents me from backing in. I do need to upgrade to a wider ramp.

 

[homie189]

Looks like a good solution. I too hate to drive with the tailgate down.

 

[MAD MUDDER]

i aways run a strap from the hitch on the 4wheeler to the hitch on the truck and that always keeps the tailgate up. not sure how strong it is but helps.
-Aaron

 

[Ditch Donkey]

Does that model tailgate come off by opening it at a slight angle and lifting up? Don't want you to loose your tailgate on a bump in the road.

 

[RJR]

QUOTE ("Ditch Donkey":1kntnku6)

Does that model tailgate come off by opening it at a slight angle and lifting up? Don't want you to loose your tailgate on a bump in the road.

I don't think so but I have never taken it off. I'll check my owners manual. I've made several trips to the hunting club without a problem. The tailgate is pulled up tight and doesn't even rattle.

 

[Caveman64]

yes, your tailgate will come off at that angle, whether a bump could do it or not is another question. I owned a 93' and an 01' and both tailgates come off the same way. You may want to just leave it down or get a bed extender or pro net.

 

[Yooperforeman]

That's a pretty good idea there,but I too would be worried about the tailgate coming off.Where do you keep the ramps? I leave my tailgate down,slide the ramps under the Foreman.My ramps are too long to close the tailgate.

 

[Unstuckable]

I've got a longbed F-150 and I put my tailgate down. Although, I also have a tool box in it as well, hehehehe. If my bed were 4 inches longer I could close it with my bike and a full size toolbox. **** you Ford.

 

[RJR]

Thanks for the heads up about the tailgate coming off. I had not thought of that. I checked and it will not disengage at that angle. It has to be closer to a 45 degree angle to come off on my truck so I should be good to go. If I had larger tires and the tailgate was down more it could definitely be a problem.

QUOTE ("Yooperforeman":3qm79iai)

That's a pretty good idea there,but I too would be worried about the tailgate coming off.Where do you keep the ramps? I leave my tailgate down,slide the ramps under the Foreman.My ramps are too long to close the tailgate.

My ramps slide under the bike and will fit with the tailgate closed.

 

[drew7693]

if you were ever going far you could always deflate your tires. Then it wold fit.. Did i spell deflate right?

 

[bump530]

just back the bike in and u can close the tailgate. i dont think u should have to worry bout the tailgate coming off doing it the way u do though. thats how ive done my tailgate before with my fourwheeler or when i haul 2 dirt bikes. ive drove up to bout three hours away and my tailgate is still there, and i dont take it easy either.

 

[dastagg]

I really wonder if the tie downs that you have mounted in the holes of your truck are rated for the weight load? If a very fast stop is needed, would they be secure enough to keep from crashing into your windshield?

 

[big_daddy_bigfoot]

I'm going to start hauling mine in the back of the same kind of truck. I want to pull in front first too. My question is my winch I know it will hit the back window. What if I install a headache rack how much more will it hang off the bed onto the tail gate? I don't care about the tail gate being down really I'll strap the crap out of it!

 

[phq2foreman]

you need a louisana guard dog it goes in the reciever hitch around the tail gate and hooks on the ball on your atv. holds atv in place when tail gate is down and you can lock it.

 

[RJR]

QUOTE ("dastagg":439y94ig)

I really wonder if the tie downs that you have mounted in the holes of your truck are rated for the weight load? If a very fast stop is needed, would they be secure enough to keep from crashing into your windshield?

The tie down hooks I'm definitely not worried about. I've used them for almost 10 years with several 4 wheelers and never had anything budge, not to mention everything else I've tied down with them. The Penda Hide-A-Hooks are rated for 400 pounds each.

 

[rickster]

www.highlifter.com and look for the cabsaver look under loading and securing devices.<a href="http://www.highlifter.com/product.php?pk=6965&pname=" target="_blank">http://www.highlifter.com/product.php?pk=6965&pname=</a> , just copy and paste this link in your URL.

 

[dwconn]

I have a bed extender on my Toyota... Works great.. 4 Wheeler can not fall out the back and I have a little extra room for a cooler or other stuff...

 

[bigred_foreman]

easy solution,put your weight on the rear of the bike or have someone sit on it.than ratchet strap the ******.thats it.one strap.tailgate open.never a trouble.dont be worryin about bikes fallin out or gates fallin off unless theres something seriously ****** up