I have a '91 f150 with an 8 ft bed, 9' with the tailgate down. I need to carry about 15-20 pieces of angled steel from a windmill from Ia to Fl, each piece is 14' and I'm nervous about travelling 1000 miles on the interstate with it sticking out. If I had a hitch assembly, I'd buy a bed extender, but I have no hitch other than the hole in the bumper kind. Friends tell me that tied up with 9' in the bed and 5' sticking out behind w/red flag is no big deal--what do you think, and what would you do? thanks!

 

How much will all of this weigh? I would borrow a trailer if that's possible.

 

From a balance point of view, you'll have about 70% of the weight in the truck, so you shouldn't have a concern there (assuming it's not over-loading the truck weight-wise). I'll assume that you're going to lash the material down thoroughly so that he can't move.

So really, I would think the primary concern comes down to flagging the material hanging off the end, and what the regulations might be in that regard. I imagine there's also an over-hang limit regardless of flagging. Bear in mind too, those regulations might vary from state to state. I went through that recently when towing (via dolly) a non-registered vehicle through 4 states. Some states it was legal, some it wasn't. I just gambled and got lucky - fortunately I was mostly towing it in daylight.

 

Travelling that far, I'd fab up an overhead stock rack, or maybe find a used one on CL. They're pretty easy to put on/take off, and you'd probably find it useful to have...

 

Traveling with the load that close to the ground is a risky venture, even with a flag. Like mentioned earlier, although it is possible

weight wise and physically, every state you pass through may have different laws regarding extended loads. Daytime travel maybe

safe, but traveling at night maybe an issue. The steel pieces are a hazard for people driving behind you, the load will be at a

dangerous height in a rear end confrontation.

Your doubt has me concerned.

Are you in Iowa now? or do you have to travel to get the steel?



FOR SOME REASON, WHEN EVER I HAUL OR TOW AN UNUSUAL LOAD, PEOPLE SEEM TO DRIVE AS CLOSE AS THEY CAN BEHIND ME, JUST LIKE A BUG

TO THE BUG ZAPPER. I CAN NEVER FIGURE OUT WHY PEOPLE DO THIS.


I often carry 20 foot long steel or longer lumber on an overhead rack I have on my truck.

 

I was going to suggest that but for whatever reason assumed it was a heavy and/or awkwardly shaped load that might not lend itself to being located up there.

 

I had 1800 pounds of steel up there, but I only had to travel 23 miles, quite a bit less than 1000.

 

assuming the load part and being safely secured get some of those cheap harbor freight magnetic lights and put at the end not sure if its really legal but much better than just a flag

 

I would put the angle iron in the truck with the tailgate CLOSED. Strap them all together in a bundle with a flag on the end. You will want to put some sort of weigh on the front end to keep it from bouncing. Then ratchet strap it tight.

or go with a rack like some others have posted. Don Not do the trailer for anything that weights less than 1000lbs, you fuel milage will GREATLY suffer for no gain

 

I would suggest you check with D.O.T , any thing over 3' over hang must have lites for night operation. with as much overhang as you will have , you may be limited to day light only.

ken

 

I used to haul flatbed freight and 4' overhang is the max allowable by dot. get an overhead rack and you will be fine. if needed add a 2x6 tied to the steel to help support the center of the load from bouncing or sagging in the center.

 

Let's see if being retired from truck driving since 2010 Check on the DOT FEDRAL RULES about oversize loads.... You will need a 12" ? square flag for day time travel and a red light (could be 1 or more) lights on the rearmost part of the load... IF your load extends MORE that 3 ft past the LAST support from the vehicle (tailgate) . Some states COULD DIFFER so you will have to check.
I would go to the local commercial DOT TRUCK SCALES in your area ... or go to the Hwy Patrol office and ask for a commercial officer just to be safe and legal !!
Good luck !!!

 

craigslist rack is the way to go. Ive bought 2, both were new old stock, both were $200 each.

 

I would agree with that, I didn't know they could get them that cheap !!! then sell it for as much as you can !!!

 

WARNING: the lights he mentioned come with magnets that will fall off when you reach speeds above 35 MPH. if you use these, either upgrade the magnets yourself, or use plenty of duct tape to tie them down.

that said, you'll have a 5 foot overhang, which is significant but not huge and scary. i've done much worse!!

doing it with the tailgage up will put the ends of the steel at a height where it won't kill someone if they rearend you - doing it with the tailgate flat would be VERY ugly if you were to be rearended.

all that said, a rack is your best bet

but whatever you do, tie it down twice as well as you think is necessary - i've seen too many lost loads in my day.
a strap at each end may be enough, but add a couple more just to be good and darn sure!!