[TrailNewb]

After many measurements, calculations and math lol, I tried loading the Zforce 500 in the bed of my GMC Canyon. It is the extended bed with 6 1/2' bed.  I got the DG tailgate supports, headache rack and some large rubber wheel chocks to place at front of bed to stop things after going over wheel wells.  I did add helper leafs on the back and it only dropped the back by 1 1/2-2".  I barely have half the front tires on the tailgate though.  Only have about an inch off headache rack.  Strapped down it doesn't move and can't go backwards without going over 8" high wheel wells.  The plan is flat tow behind motorhome and head out west.  Is this crazy or fine?

[TrailNewb]

Can't get multiple photos to load?

[TrailNewb]

One more I guess...

[motoman]

sketchy...

[NMKawierider]

I wouldn't do it...but I've seen others do it and get away with it. Too bad you can't get yourself a couple of 2x8s and run from the back wheels out 4-6" past the front wheels.

[TrailNewb]

Yeah, the wheel wells get in the way for that.  In my research there used to be an outfit that made a receiver hitch mount that came up at back of tailgate with short ramps that spread the load to bed and out another 3" or so from tailgate, but they no longer make them.  Only thing I have found that was weight rated enough.

[NMKawierider]

This company, Toy-Tote.com still makes them for any truck. This is a short vid I did on my friend's he had them do. Not cheap...but very safe, and he can still pull his camper with it on.

[doug80638]

I'd say sketchy.

While the bars are an added safety feature, I'm not convinced the locking mechanism is designed to carry that much weight.
Moment forces on a bumpy road could deform the pin, the lock, and/or the tailgate.
The center of weight distribution has been moved back quite a bit, lightening the weight on the front end and potentially impairing handling on such a light truck.

Then there there's the task of driving a CVT engaged machine (read: slip and grab) backwards,  up on ramps and over the wheel wells, and with very little wiggle room. This is one time I would not use 4WD to prevent kicking out the ramps.

At 1200lbs, you have about 400lbs left in rear carrying capacity. Add people and "stuff", and you are at the limit.

Will it work? Sure. Is it safe? It is certainly much less safe than available alternatives.

Flat towing behind a motor home? Again I would be concerned about the center of weight distribution. And that ignores the potential wear and tear on the Canyon.

If you have to tow it behind the motorhome for any meaningful distance, I would suggest a car hauler trailer.

[doug80638]

This is an interesting option:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYOpb-_D-X8

[Pnw zforce rider]

I also ran into problem hauling my Zforce in the truck bed, could not run with tailgate down, because I tow travel trailer.
I do have eight foot bed, but decided I wanted to extent things to end of bumper I used tubing across the inside of bed with catwalk like material to extend out to end of bumper, and same thing for ramps that store in the middle, this set up works great for me

[Pnw zforce rider]

another view

[TrailNewb]

Some great thought guys, thanks!  The Toy tote is what I had in mind, and it looks like you add 2 more receiver tubes?  I'll look into that some more.  The catwalk idea seems good too, but even more weight in truck.  The wheeled platform I looked into. The 2 support wheel version still only rated for 1,000 lbs.  I did a test run yesterday with 4 1,500lb ratchet straps tied down enough that it doesn't move without the truck suspension moving.  I added helper leafs on truck and that kept the back up and some weight down on front axle.  Jumped some railroad tracks and had 30mph cross wind at 70mph and it rode straight and while you know it's their, felt stable.  I was looking into trailers and may go that route, but would have to have a 5' tongue or better for behind for turns.  Also, it puts my overall length past legal.  Most people I have read about say no problem and never stopped for that, so may chance it.  Probably depend with my luck and some states?  And I know by asking, I kinda know the answer already...thanks again!!

[Arizona Bushman]

I wouldn't do it...but I've seen others do it and get away with it. Too bad you can't get yourself a couple of 2x8s and run from the back wheels out 4-6" past the front wheels.

2x8 or 2x10s work really well. It's just getting on there. Friend of mine made a bracket for the front of the planks to slide into and thus secure them so the front tires wouldn't flip the boards up when loading it.

Additionally, I don't recommend doing it the way you have it. The LAST thing you want is to be on your trip and have something on your tailgate to catastrophically fail and thus ruin a trip and open yourself up to ridicule from your significant other.