Tailgate Plastic Scratched By Ramps

[Bigdaddy_D]

I was loading my 4-Wheeler on my Avalanche with my ramps, as I have done hundreds of times on my "old" Silverado. I have a pair of top of the line ramps and didn't think about the possibility of any problem, but when I took the ramps off, the top of the tailgate was scratched, and the scratches were deep too!
Just wondering if anybody else has experienced something like this.
Are there any "covers" for the top of the Avalanche tailgate like on other trucks? On my Silverado, I had a tailgate cover that matched my side-rails.
What about replacing the plastic on the tailgate, is this possible, and if so, what kind of cost would I be looking at.
Thanks in advance for any help I might get.

 

[gstreak]

Ya got any pics?

 

[Bigdaddy_D]

I'll try to get some pictures on the site tomorrow.

 

[jackalanche]

my ramp mates with the folded down top of my tailgate with an "L" that contacts the top of my tailgate and the backside. I am sure yours do the same, but my ramp (just one, motorcylce use) is plastic and has not scratched my Av t-gate top yet. Even so, I have thought about taking some spare indoor/outdoor carpeting piece and cutting a rectangle to match the part of the ramp that butts up against what is the top of my tailgate - I plan on using a construction adhesive to glue it down to that part of my ramp.

Maybe that would help you too.

 

[slargent]

i load a motorcycle with 3 folding ramps.
i place a nonskid pad (also used for tool boxes) under each,
seems to do the trick.

pic attached

 

[half-breed]

Jackalanche - plastic ramps? Who makes, how much weight can they hold?

Slargent - If you remove the seat can you back the bike under the roof with the rear seat folded down and close the tailgate? I haven't tried it but the tape measure indicates to close to tell, maybe sitting on it would allow it to clear. Would be nice to get the bike in with the gate closed. What kind of ramps?

 

[slargent]

I use the 10 ft ramps from rampmaster to allow me to ride it up into the truck....
http://ramp-master.com/motram1.html

I also use a terrific product to chock the front tire...
http://www.baxleycompanies.com/la_wheel_chock.html

I have no interest in folding the seats down, i never know about the weather. There is no issue w/ the tailgate down.

 

[jstrickl]

The plastic on my tailgate looks very beat-up also. I have only had the Av for 5 months now and probably only taken it on 10 Home Depot loading trips. But from these trips hauling QuikCrete (cement) and landscaping bricks, the backside of the tailgate is toast. I am guessing that's why it's plastic as I'd be upset if that were the paint! I guess it doesn't look real bad, but it definitely shows it has been used.

Jamie

 

[wrchism]

This seems to be a weak spot in the Av's functional design. I wonder what the options would be of adding a piece of stainless steel like I've seen over the edge of the tailgate on standard pickups? I'll have to look at mine tonight with this in mind . . . I wonder if it can be done without messing up the seal to the back bed cover?

 

[bfron]

i load a motorcycle with 3 folding ramps.
i place a nonskid pad (also used for tool boxes) under each,
seems to do the trick.

pic attached

Not trying to be picky, but are your safety chains crossed in the attached picture on the trailer? It looks like the left safety chain is hooked up on the left. Maybe just an illusion from angle picture was taken. Ive always been told to cross the safety chains to opposite side.

 

[slargent]

excellent catch, however the chains are not long enough to cross.

 

[jackalanche]

3 folding ramps to load a motorcyle? one on each side of the bike for your feet? Well when it's your baby, I can understand anything . . .

This is the ramp I use, it copacts and stores in the bed front to back both gates up when not in use, 750 lb rating per ramp:

maybe a Road King exceeds the MGVW of the ramp, otherwise it should handle anything. Good traction too, although an oiley back tire could be a problem, as with anything.

 

[got_change]

I had aluminum ramps and the tried to slide when I pushed my "scooter" up to the bed. And I mean up--- I was chicken to try to ride it in, and on the second try I reailzed to use the tie down strap back to the ramp to keep it from moving. The tailgate is so high off the ground I got a helper to roll the bike in.. I tried to out smart the hieght and slipped th tailgate off and put the ramp on the bumper and high centered an the tailgate lip. no damage ,luckily but to load the bike solo is taking a chanche