I can't comment on loading, since I cheat. I get mine loaded with a big commercial log grapple, for free. Some of it goes to 48" round, and 30" long. Too heavy for me!
Unloading is by 3 boy power, with occasional help from Dad on the bigger ones.
The problem comes with the tailgate. My nissan tailgate is bent pretty badly, to the point where the latches are difficult to work. Iv'e used a come-a-long to straigten it, but it's still pretty bad.
I'm looking for a new one, and I'll reinforce it before I roll heavy rounds across it.
Watch that gate of yours, Wood Doctor. It's starting already, and it only gets worse. It's a little bit at a time, a little bit at a time. I'd so some reinforcing now, if you can.
Once on the ground, it gets sawn or split down to manageable size. If it needs to travel to the splitter, my 1000# hand truck does the job.