The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1/2 ton rating vs reality

For those with stock suspension in your rigs and who uses their truck, like they should, to haul heavy stuff, how much weight do you dare put in the bed? Wife and I are doing more yard renovation and I need to bring home compost, top soil, etc. If 1/2 ton = 1,000 lbs, stop at 750lbs?

"Don't be such a wimp" says the wife.

If your truck is in good condition I wouldn't be concerned at loading 1000 lbs. The ratings on mechanical items are often conservative. Over engineering and under rating prevents lawsuits. Look at the new "half ton" pickups & their rated capacity. The new Silverado 1500 has a payload capacity over a ton. Google the payload capacity of your truck and go from there.

Does anyone know how much 1 yard of topsoil weighs? I suppose it might be a full ton depending on moisture content.

I think a half yard would be smarter, but I have no concerns at a full yard. But I pay close attention to my following distance since the brakes are stock. And the weight has noticeable impact on the steering. The truck can easily handle a half-ton.

Don't forget to pump up the tires if you are running a full load.

My 1/2 ton has a pay load of ~1500 lbs.

The real problem is how much does the load weigh? If you are buying top soil and it has been raining, the top soil is much heavier than dry top soil. I'm guessing that wet top soil weighs no more than 100 lbs per cu ft or 1350 lbs for 1/2 yard, so I limit my top soil purchase to 1/2 yard. Loader operator says "she'll take more", but he may be thinking it's a 3/4 ton or some other customers let him overload their trucks.

"A cubic yard of typical topsoil weighs about 2700 pounds or 1.35 tons." Internet search.

depends on the wetness of the topsoil

Hmm. Pretty good guess. Guess those years in engineering paid off.

Depending on moisture content its usually closer to 3300.

If you turn the steering wheel and the truck doesn't turn, you have too much weight in the bed. That is how I roll. I haven't broke anything yet.
If you have ever worked on a farm, you'd understand how much load to put on a truck of any description.
Carl

Thanks all for the quick replies:

Yes according to my local soil supplier, 1 yard of top soil = 1.25 tons (2,500 lbs).

Yeah, I'm probably not giving my truck enough stress test. Been limiting the weight to be around 800#-ish.

Depends if on the flats, or in steep terrain, too.

Ed

Tires also. Gotta be in good shape and air them up to the max recommended on the sidewall. After loaded and If you look under the rear of the truck and the frame is on the axle and the springs are flat, it may be overloaded. Here's you sign

RonR

Yes yes, wet sand maybe more.
Yes yes, wet sand maybe more.

I load my 4 cylinder Ranger till the bed touches the tires and then have one of the guys walk along side with a soap solution in a weed sprayer to stop the tire smoke. D@mn thing is starting to get weak and it only has 400k miles on it.

Tsk, nothing lasts anymore

Safety Nanny alert: In general the limiting factor is your ability to stop.
Chuck

Yes, note to self, lots of air in tires and good brakes to halt the load.

I occasionally get a load of gravel for my driveway and they usually put in about 1/2 yard (at least that is what they tell me!), the bed drops a lot, but does not get too close to the tires. That is as far as I like to go. Then I drive the back roads home to avoid traffic and keep the speed below 40. I am also still running the original springs, so that can make a difference too for you if yours are in better shape.

Lee.

I would have them put a ton of gravel in the back of my '58 3100 Napco, and it took up a pathetically small amount of room in the bed. But I have the 10 leaf heavy duty 3/4 ton springs.

Brakes? What?