If I remember right back when I had my full size chevy [short bed] I had to leave the gate on as the back tire of my roadking rested 1/2 on the bed & 1/2 on the gate when loaded. Never had any problems with the weight hurting the tailgate. I currently have a 65 elcamino and have hauled the RK in that also without any dammage to the gate. I would do a good inspection of the support cables before loading the bike though. Just to be on the safe side. They seem to rust and fray very quickly on newer trucks.
|