Finally Got My Kubota RTV900

Dargo · Apr 8, 2004

Thanks Jippy. I had two different Gators during the last 6 years and have always used them for "tailgating" after fishing and never had an issue. I realize the RTV's are new, but this is a definite oversite by their designers to put such flimsy cables on the tailgate. Also I only weigh about 180 and my fishing buddy about 165. In my opinion, if Kubota didn't design the tailgate to hold that much, I'm gonna have issues with my new purchase. Certianly it is just one of those "new" issues they missed in design. If I knew how to attach a picture, I'd show you that at the break point in the cable, it is only about the thickness of a #2 pencil lead (not the whole pencil, just the lead). Thanks for your reply!

Ricochet · Apr 8, 2004

It sounds like you got some bad cables...they should be much thickier than No. 2 pencil lead. Sending you a PM now. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Ricochet · Apr 9, 2004

I did some more investigation and according to the cable’s specs; the “breaking point” is 396 pounds. So, theoretically the tailgate cables together should hold up 700+ pounds.

MessickFarmEqu · Apr 9, 2004

The only complaint that I have with the RTV is those cables. For the cost of the vehicle you would think they would come up with a slicker system. Defentialy somthing I plan on passing onto Kubota.

Ricochet · Apr 9, 2004

Maybe not the best design, but the Mule has the same basic design. The Gator design may actually be better since (if I recall correctly) it uses a metal rod to hold up the tailgate, but that is about the only better design I can think of on the Gator. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

As noted above the RTV900 tailgate (cables) should support over 700 pounds, so if they break...they are more than likely defective.

Dargo · Apr 10, 2004

After owning two different Gators over the last several years, I actually like the RTV tailgate design much better than the Gator's. I pinched my fingers more than once closing the ones on the Gator. As you said, I must have gotten some bad cables. The design was fine, they just weren't strong enough. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

lloyd123 · Apr 11, 2004

Here's a link to a photo that would suggest the cables were designed to take a fairly large load:

http://www.aldermans.com/Kubota/Jpeg's/KUB_RTV900_5.jpg

Dargo · Apr 11, 2004

Yup! No doubt me and my buddy, even with our cooler, didn't weigh that much. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I must of gotten the cables intended for the Mule....he he he, just kidding. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

lloyd123 · May 21, 2004

I noticed in the RTV900 manual (p.29) that there's a "CAUTION - To avoid personal injury: Do not apply a load to the tailgate while the tailgate is open, or the wire loop may break."

To add to the problem, I noticed that the right-hand wire loop on my RTV900 is slightly shorter than the one on the left. This results in the tailgate being supported only by the right-hand wire loop while the left is actually slack.

I had the Kubota bed liner installed and the liner on the tailgate has two cup holders moulded into it to use when the tailgate is down. I hope it can support two Cokes (or Sam Adams).

Dargo · May 22, 2004

I have the spray in liner and also the Kubota liner over that. I'm hoping that with the additional weight of the spray in liner and the weight of the actual Kubota tailgate bedliner that I do not exceed that weight limit for the tailgate before adding the drinks to the two allocated places. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
I've actually sat on my tailgate several times now after I got the replacement cables and have not been dropped on my butt even with the added weight of a cooler. Now I just have to watch for my wisecracking buddy not to push the dump lever to the "float" detent position. If that is done, the entire bed will raise up and drop you if you sit on the tailgate! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif