is this a safe payload?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Virginia beach, VA
is this a safe payload?
A friend of mine asked me to help him get some bricks for a small set of stairs. I'm actually not really sure what they are, in the picture they looked more like cinder blocks than bricks, but anyways it is about 3/4 of a palette. A quick google search showed me that the average palette of concrete blocks weighs 3500 lbs. We will be unloading the palette and spreading out the blocks evenly in the bed. I have a 2007 f-250 with overloads and air bags so I'm not really concerned about the suspension. My problem is the tires. They are Mickey Thompson ATZ E rated for 3,195 lbs, so together the rear axle can be 6,390 lbs. Worst case scenario, lets say the palette is the full 3500 lbs, that means there has to be less than 2,890 over the rear axle as it sits right now, unloaded. That seems a little too close for comfort for me. What do you guys think?
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
You are right about the tires usually being the weakest link, but wrong about spreading the load evenly. Most of trucks have the rear axle closer to the front than to the rear of the bed, meaning evenly spread load not only puts whole weight on the rear axle, but also takes some of the load from front axle making the truck hard to control. You want the load center of gravity as close to the cabin as possible.
That said, I routinely carry 3 pallets of concrete blocks on my flatbed.
That said, I routinely carry 3 pallets of concrete blocks on my flatbed.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 939
Likes: 1
From: Central Kansas
How far are you going? Are we talking a couple miles or a couple hundred miles? If you're not going that far, honestly I'd just do it. I think you're probably fine regardless but w/out knowing the exact weight it's hard to tell. Could use a trailer if you're that concerned.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Virginia beach, VA
Kajtek, thanks for the info about putting the load closer to the cabin.
maverick, the trip is about 40 miles, mostly highway.
kd0axs, I asked him to see if his neighbor will let us borrow his trailer but he is giving me a hard time about it for some reason. Guess he feels weird asking?
maverick, the trip is about 40 miles, mostly highway.
kd0axs, I asked him to see if his neighbor will let us borrow his trailer but he is giving me a hard time about it for some reason. Guess he feels weird asking?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Gilbert Az.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
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I would do it - It only weighs about 2,700 pounds...
But some say I am not the brightest bulb in the chandelier!!!
But some say I am not the brightest bulb in the chandelier!!!
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
shove that pallet in there towards the front of the cab and go. That is not so much of a load.
Suggest that you know the true wt of your truck empty next time. Take it over the scales at a truck stop.
Truck stop scales will tell you the drive, steer and total wt.
Then you will instantly know whether it will be too much.
Suggest that you know the true wt of your truck empty next time. Take it over the scales at a truck stop.
Truck stop scales will tell you the drive, steer and total wt.
Then you will instantly know whether it will be too much.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 939
Likes: 1
From: Central Kansas
I think you'll be fine. Not sure I'd want to go a lot farther than that though. Just make sure you give yourself plenty of braking room!
Keep in mind it's not his truck or insurance if something happens.
kd0axs, I asked him to see if his neighbor will let us borrow his trailer but he is giving me a hard time about it for some reason. Guess he feels weird asking?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,315
Likes: 9
From: Mid Atlantic
You will have no problem carrying that load. Just make sure your tires are properly inflated and you put as much of the load forward in the bed as possible.
I have carried 2 pallets of 8" block in my F-350 SRW below..w/out any problem.
I have carried 2 pallets of 8" block in my F-350 SRW below..w/out any problem.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 594
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From: Full-time RV
FWIW, scales said I had 3,060 lb. on my rear axle, F350 DRW. I'll bet the rear on your truck is probably less. I'm sure you'll be fine for one 40-miler. As a couple others mentioned, throw 'em towards the cab to put some of it on the front axle.
