Tailgate-loading TWO ATV's ??
 

OK -- here's the followup question about carrying TWO ATVs:

It looks like the cross-bed racks are the method preferred by folks on this forum for carrying two ATVs on a long-bed 3/4-ton pickup.

Sometimes I want to carry two quads, sometimes just one.
The cross-bed racks admittedly keep the weight pretty high-up on the truck -- not so good.
They also weigh quite a bit themselves -- some as much as 500# for two ATVs.

SOOOOO -- what about putting ONE cross-bed (cross-siderails) rack behind the cab, then loading the second ATV into the bed lengthwise, so its rear wheels are on the truck's tailgate?

Would that distribute the weight a bit better? (front-to-back, & high-vs.-lower) ?
What about tailgate strength -- would the stock tailgate & cables be strong enough, our would you guys reinforce them in some way?

Tailgate-loading TWO ATV's ??
 

I've seen a truck do what you want to do. 1 atv across and 1 atv still in the bed. I have an ford explorer sport trac and i have a yamaha bigbear and i has to be on the tailgate cause that bed is so small. Those cables are strong enough. I would just think a lot of weight in the middle of the tailgate might bend the tailgate.