I'm thinking about steel plate 1/2" thick cut to 14" wide. I'm 6-4 and 270 pounds.
A foot length of that stuff would weigh nearly 24 lb. Way too heavy to avoid slipping when putting it in place and dinging the truck.
A 2x10 will hold an amazing amount of weight on the flat. I've used an 8 foot length as a bridge for a wheelbarrow full of dirt. Me and the wheelbarrow probably weigh 500 lb. A foot length of 2x10 weighs just under 3 lb, and a 2x12 is still under 4 lb/foot. That and wood is a lot softer when you bang it against the paint.
