Payload Capacity?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2012
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Payload Capacity?
I have a 1989 F-250 Heavy Duty Super Cab Long Bed. I have to transport 2.5 cubic yards of 3/4" aggregate rocks for a job I am doing next week. I'm estimating 2,800 lbs per cubic yard. I'd like to know how much I can transport legally and safely in my truck bed. It's only about a mile from the rock place to the job site so I won't even be on the freeway. The truck has a rear GVWR of 6,084 lbs and a total GVWR of 8,800 lbs. My rear tires are stock-size, good condition and pumped up to 80 PSI. They have a load range "E" and have a listed 3,042 lbs. capacity per tire.
So, I'm estimating the truck weighs about 5,800 lbs unloaded??? So I can have about 3,000 lbs in the bed. Does that seem about right? I would assume the truck could actually handle WAY more than that, but don't want to get hit with a ticket for exceeding my GVWR.
So, I'm estimating the truck weighs about 5,800 lbs unloaded??? So I can have about 3,000 lbs in the bed. Does that seem about right? I would assume the truck could actually handle WAY more than that, but don't want to get hit with a ticket for exceeding my GVWR.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: 7th realm of hell, Va.
That would be the best way, weigh it at a scale. Make sure you and any regular cargo are in the truck, and if you really want to be safe make sure it is full of fuel. Remember gas weighs almost 8 lbs pr gallon.
Also the gravel yard may have a scale. i know the local gravel yard here in Norfolk has scales.
Matt
Also the gravel yard may have a scale. i know the local gravel yard here in Norfolk has scales.
Matt
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Bitterroots of Montana
As norfolknova mentions, the yard may have a scale. You can do a weigh in, and weigh out to see the diff.
I frequently get a yard or so of gravel, which is often wet, in my one ton, and it is usually around the 3000# mark. Even with air bags and the tires at 80psi, I can feel the weight. I've had more weight in it, and I could fit more gravel than I usually do, I don't bother.
I would guess that you will need to make at least two trips at the minimum.
I frequently get a yard or so of gravel, which is often wet, in my one ton, and it is usually around the 3000# mark. Even with air bags and the tires at 80psi, I can feel the weight. I've had more weight in it, and I could fit more gravel than I usually do, I don't bother.
I would guess that you will need to make at least two trips at the minimum.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2012
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Thanks for the info. I was planning on two or three trips. I was thinking the yard probably would have a scale as well, but I wanted to know before I got there for my own reference. I will take the truck to the scale tomorrow.
Fleet Owner
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From: Gilbert, PA
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Posting Guru
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From: Pueblo, CO
That's about right. I had my '90 SCLB 4x4 weighed with my fat butt in it is was around there, I don't recall the exact number, also my tanks were kinda low.
Anyway I'd say 2,800lbs is just a little over capacity plus whatever you, the fuel in the truck, and any other gear in the truck weigh. Rough guestimate you'd be close to 1k over GVWR. Sounds to me like two trips would be a good way to go or possibly put some in a trailer.
Anyway I'd say 2,800lbs is just a little over capacity plus whatever you, the fuel in the truck, and any other gear in the truck weigh. Rough guestimate you'd be close to 1k over GVWR. Sounds to me like two trips would be a good way to go or possibly put some in a trailer.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Lafayette, IN
That would be the best way, weigh it at a scale. Make sure you and any regular cargo are in the truck, and if you really want to be safe make sure it is full of fuel. Remember gas weighs almost 8 lbs <acronym title="Page Ranking">pr</acronym> gallon.
Also the gravel yard may have a scale. i know the local gravel yard here in Norfolk has scales.
Matt
Also the gravel yard may have a scale. i know the local gravel yard here in Norfolk has scales.
Matt
The only truck I ever had weighed was my '90 F150 (Reg cab, longbed, 302/AOD/2wd), and at a gravel pit, it weighed around 4400 with me and about 15-20 gallons of fuel in it.
Jason
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2012
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For the record, I had my truck weighed today at a certified scale. It weighed in at 5,900 pounds with my camper shell on. This is totally unloaded with no driver, passengers, cargo, etc and about 10 gallons (60 lbs.) of gas in the tanks.
I'm estimating the camper shell is about 200 pounds so the unladen weight of the truck with a normal amount of gas is 5,700 pounds. So with a GVWR of 8,800 pounds, and camper shell off, I can legally have an extra 3,100 pounds of passengers and cargo in the truck. So, it's safe to say my actual bed payload capacity is about 2,800.
Again this is a 1989 F-250 Heavy Duty XLT Lariat Super Cab 2wd with 460, stock wheels and tires, and ZF 5-Speed. Confirmed to be 5,700 pounds by a certified scale.
I'm estimating the camper shell is about 200 pounds so the unladen weight of the truck with a normal amount of gas is 5,700 pounds. So with a GVWR of 8,800 pounds, and camper shell off, I can legally have an extra 3,100 pounds of passengers and cargo in the truck. So, it's safe to say my actual bed payload capacity is about 2,800.
Again this is a 1989 F-250 Heavy Duty XLT Lariat Super Cab 2wd with 460, stock wheels and tires, and ZF 5-Speed. Confirmed to be 5,700 pounds by a certified scale.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Renton, WA
The only numbers that really matter is that 2.5 yards at 2,800 a yard is 7000, so 2333 per trip if ya take 3 even trips, or 3500 per trip for 2 trips. So can you handle 3500, sounds like a no, so your taking 3 trips.
The rear tires are usually the limiting factor, you said 3,042 per tire and 6,084 rear GVWR, anyone else find it odd that these numbers exactly match, that 2 tires at 3,042 is exaclty 6,084? You may want to double check that. That said you missed a chance to get an important number at the scale, the weight on the rear axle is what ya really need to know. Being an older F250 your springs might be a little soft but my 87 F-350 also shows a rear GVWR 6,084 so maybe there the same springs and I wouldn't sweat a 3500 bed payload but I got 3970 ratings on my tires.
The rear tires are usually the limiting factor, you said 3,042 per tire and 6,084 rear GVWR, anyone else find it odd that these numbers exactly match, that 2 tires at 3,042 is exaclty 6,084? You may want to double check that. That said you missed a chance to get an important number at the scale, the weight on the rear axle is what ya really need to know. Being an older F250 your springs might be a little soft but my 87 F-350 also shows a rear GVWR 6,084 so maybe there the same springs and I wouldn't sweat a 3500 bed payload but I got 3970 ratings on my tires.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Renton, WA
Right, and it occurs to me that maybe the 3042 in the OP is off the door sticker not the actual tires. And of course I assumed an 89 doesn't have the factory tires, the factory tires certainly didn't take 80psi. Time to take a look at the tires themselves.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Lafayette, IN
All the E-range tires I've seen at that size (235/85R16, IIRC) have had a weight rating of 3042 lbs @ 80 PSI molded on the side--I've had to shop for the tires a couple of times.
Jason
Postmaster
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From: Renton, WA
That's a load range E tire. My '93 has the exact same ratings (super cab, long bed F250HD). The door sticker says 80 PSI for the rear tires and 51 PSI for the front, and a GAWR for the rear axle of 6084 lbs. But, if you take the axle code (mine is 35) and look it up in the nifty FTE list (at the top of the screen under Articles/Specs > Decoders/Charts ), you'll see that the axle is actually rated for 6250 lbs.
All the E-range tires I've seen at that size (235/85R16, IIRC) have had a weight rating of 3042 lbs @ 80 PSI molded on the side--I've had to shop for the tires a couple of times.
Jason
All the E-range tires I've seen at that size (235/85R16, IIRC) have had a weight rating of 3042 lbs @ 80 PSI molded on the side--I've had to shop for the tires a couple of times.
Jason
Hmm gunna have to go see if I can read that part of the door sticker, it's not all that readable anymore.
Edit, well shoot that's what mine says, good info on there when you can read it, lol