Loading a Kawasaki Mule into a 2007 Chevy 1500

[csp45]

I recently purchased a 2007 Chevy 1500 new design.
I would like to load a 610 Kawasaki Mule onto the pickup using ramps on the tailgate.
The Mule weighs 1000 lbs with a 200 lb rider.
Has anyone had similar experience? A friend told me it might bend my tailgate.

 

[gordon21]

Will you do this on a regular basis or a one time event?

One time: Take the tailgate off and load away. It will be a pain in the butt, but no chance of damage. Check the length first!!!!

Regular hauling: I would not do it until you hear from a 2007 Chevy owner. That's a lot of weight hanging back there on the edge nearly 2' from the body.

 

[csp45]

I would like to do this a few times a year.
I am thinking the tailgate itself would not have over 800 lbs on it. This would be similiar to 4 X 200 pounders seting on the tailgate.

 

[gordon21]

Not exactly the same. Four adults will have their weight spread over many many square inches of area (wide butts) and the load would be evenly spread from side to side. The Mule will have all it's weight over two spots where the weight first starts to rest on the tailgate. The top inside edge of the tailgate is the spot I am worried about. The first 5" from the top edge going down towards the hinge area. There is usually nothing behind this area on a tailgate and you stand the chance of crushing that zone.

Look at tailgates the next time you are at someplace like Home Depot where there are dozens of trucks in the lot that actually get used like a pickup. Tailgates seem to be beat up all over the place. Interior dented walls are very common.

 

[Gator6x4]

I have a 2007 Chevrolet 1500 series, extended cab, 4wd, Z71 suspension, etc. I have transported 1600 lbs of fertilizer without a problem. The 610 has the following specs, Dry weight 979 lbs, Overall length 107.1 in, Overall width 52.6 in, Overall height 70.9 in and Wheelbase 70.0 in. I haven't measured between the fender wells in the bed /but four foot comes to mind for some reason. The 52.6 width may not fit between the wheel wells in the bed and have to be driven over. It is a simple matter to remove and replace the tailgate. No tools required, un-do the cables on each side while holding the tailgate to keep it from falling, rotate the tailgate to about thirty degrees open from the closed position, lift up and out. When removing remember the tailgate needs to have the right hand side pulled up and to the rear first, followed by the left side. The left side has a male female connector, where the right side has a slotted connector. The company advised on it web site the 610 unit is transportable in a full sized pickup truck.

 

[Unclebuck257]

OK, I faced a similar problem about two years ago when I went from an F-250 4X4, back to a gas engine F-150 4X4. I realize it's not a GM product, but the problem is the same. I have a Bombardier Quest 650 ATV and they are wider, longer, and heavier than your normal ATV of the same cc range. The back end of my Bomb hangs over onto my F-150 tailgate approx 10 inches and my Bomb weighs 850lbs, I believe.

I go to Colorado every year for first and second rifle season and my Bomb goes with me. I've had no problems with weright on the tailgate for the 14 hour trip, each way, BUT when you leave your tailgate down you must be mindful of road debris, stones, etc, hitting it and marking it up.

I checked and there was nothing on the market to "cover" and protect the tailgate. Cabelas has a product where you remove your tailgate and hook this "bed extension" into your tow hitch receiver and it supports the back end of your ATV. Weight concerns on your tailgate are of no concern at all then.

What I did, as I wasn't as concerned about the tailgate weight as much as I was about road debris marking up the down turned tailgate, was I bought one of Cabelas cargo extensions that also hook into the tow receiver and cut a piece of plywood to fit inside the cargo extension "tray". It sits about 8-10 inches below the lowered tailgate and has blocked/stopped all mud, stones, etc, from hitting the actual downed tailgate.

You might look into Cabelas ATV extensions. That would solve any concerns you have about your tailgate, I would think.

 

[Harvey7]

I recently purchased a 2007 Chevy 1500 new design.
I would like to load a 610 Kawasaki Mule onto the pickup using ramps on the tailgate.
The Mule weighs 1000 lbs with a 200 lb rider.
Has anyone had similar experience? A friend told me it might bend my tailgate.

CSP

My ATV weighs just over 600 lbs, plus gear 50 lbs, plus myself 210, for a total of approx 860 lbs. I have a 2000 GMC Sierra and load on a regular basis with no problems, I realize this is quite a bit lighter than what you have.