How much weight on tailgate before reinforcement is needed?

[murrman]

I'm wondering how much extra weight can be added to the tailgate before some sort of reinforcement is needed. I currently have a IAG tailgate table installed, and I was considering getting some sort of solution that would allow me to mount two 2-gallon RotopaX water containers to my spare tire. It looks like the tailgate table weighs 24 lbs, and I know each 2-gallon container weighs approximately 20 lbs each. That would be at least 64 lbs (plus whatever the actual mounting solution weighs). Would this be too much without reinforcement?

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[PWillette]

I could be wrong but 110lbs seems to ring a bell.

 

[Brian_B]

Ford says the rating is 133 lbs.

Mine got warped with a 96lb spare tire.

SAS tire is 87 lbs.

YMMV.

 

[murrman]

Ford says the rating is 133 lbs.

Mine got warped with a 96lb spare tire.

SAS tire is 87 lbs.

YMMV.

Now I'm starting to even question whether my current setup of the tailgate table and the BD spare tire is going to cause me problems. I believe my spare tire is around 74 lbs which would make my current total at around 98 lbs.

 

[Brian_B]

Now I'm starting to even question whether my current setup of the tailgate table and the BD spare tire is going to cause me problems. I believe my spare tire is around 74 lbs which would make my current total at around 98 lbs.

My recommendation is usually, if you are doing anything other than stock and maybe a tailgate table or subwoofer on the inside - at least get a brace. They aren't expensive and easy to install. Hammerbuilt has one of the more popular ones around here (https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...y-hammer-built-installed-photos-review.83134/), but there are competitors for <$100. These can be installed in under 30 minutes with just some Torx bits and a socket set.

If you are gonna be running 37s or hang a lot of overlander stuff off the tailgate, go for a full reinforcement. Turn Offroad is among the more popular ones, but again, there are a lot of competition (Ford Performance sells a Raptor-style one, IAG has an X-Brace, etc). These usually involve completely removing the tailgate for installation

 

[ThunderFlash]

The tailgate is surprisingly light, even knowing it's aluminum it surprised me at how light it was. Your use case weighs in there, too, even staying stock. Regularly hammering along in the open desert @ 70 mph is eventually going to shake the whole dang truck apart and do it much quicker than many, many, many miles of cracked pavement and gnarly speed bumps at 5 mph.

 

[crenca]

ammerbuilt has one of the more popular ones around here (https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...y-hammer-built-installed-photos-review.83134/), but there are competitors for <$100.

Hammer Built is local to me and I have been to their shop (just for a quote so far). They came across as the kind of folks that would do a branding delete (the "hammer built" labeling cut into this reinforcement kit) if you asked them. That would be important to me...

 

[Rkgzx9leftcoast]

Hammer Built is local to me and I have been to their shop (just for a quote so far). They came across as the kind of folks that would do a branding delete (the "hammer built" labeling cut into this reinforcement kit) if you asked them. That would be important to me...

I have the Hammer Build on mine with a 37 hanging on it, and have come down off of obstacles and dragged the tire and never hurt the tailgate.

 

[crenca]

I have the Hammer Build on mine with a 37 hanging on it, and have come down off of obstacles and dragged the tire and never hurt the tailgate.

Just to be clear, I'm not concerned the labeling weakens the reinforcement, I simply don't want my Bronco to be an advertising board for a sundry of aftermarket parts suppliers.

The Hammer built certainly looks the about the sturdiest reinforcement I have seen.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

Just to be clear, I'm not concerned the labeling weakens the reinforcement, I simply don't want my Bronco to be an advertising board for a sundry of aftermarket parts suppliers.

The Hammer built certainly looks the about the sturdiest reinforcement I have seen.

The BAMF tailgate reinforcement is pretty damn beefy. But also heavy. That's the tradeoff. Support with added weight.

 

[Fonz54]

Back in the Summer of 2025, I replaced my stock tires with Toyo Open Country A/T IIIs. The new tires are the stock size, 315/70 R17. I have noticed a significant increase in the squeaks and bumps from the tailgate going over bumps, and especially off-road. I am not sure what the weight difference is between the stock tires and the new tires. This has made me seriously consider installing one of the many Tailgate support brackets available.

 

[crenca]

I am not sure what the weight difference is between the stock tires and the new tires.

About 15 pounds each.

 

[Fonz54]

About 15 pounds each.

Thanks - Squeaks and rattles are definitely noticeable OEM vs Toyos.

 

[DBGBronco]

I just did the Ford Performance Braptor hinge upgrade. I can tell a difference just in the way the door closes. Stock SAS tire with Bison Gear tailgate table (the best). I was getting constant clunk down dirt roads and now they are all gone!!

 

[murrman]

I just did the Ford Performance Braptor hinge upgrade. I can tell a difference just in the way the door closes. Stock SAS tire with Bison Gear tailgate table (the best). I was getting constant clunk down dirt roads and now they are all gone!!

How difficult was the installation? The biggest ting that scares me about all these reinforcement solutions is the possibility of the tailgate coming out of alignment and not being able to line it back up again.

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