Does anyone know if my 94 f150 can handle carrying an older upright piano? I'm not sure how much the piano weighs. Also, would I need to be careful about the tailgate while loading and unloading? Can the tailgate handle that kind of weight?

 

The bed yes, tailgate... I wouldn't.

Question is can the piano handle the truck? I'd wrap it in plastic, then heavy quilts. Put a sheet of heavy plywood on the bed so it stays flat to the floor. Don't let it stay outside long cause the humidity is murder on the state of tune.

How far you gotta' go?

Good luck

 

Sure your truck can handle the piano!

Take the tailgate off the truck if you want to, doing this will allow you to use the bumper as a step instead trying to climb around the tailgate.

BTW, pianos should be tuned after you move them anyway.

 

The piano is at my aunts in Victoria and I have to bring it over on the ferry to the mainland. Probably 45KMs driving but about 3-31/2 hours of time in the back including the ferry ride.

I'd definitely put a sheet of plywood down as the rails for my 5th wheel hitch are in the way. I'm guessing that the secret is enough strong backs to lift it up and past the tailgate...hmmm...

 

If you value your tailgate, take it off.......

The tailgates on these model years are cheap tin with no backbone whatsoever.

Undo the cables at the top, lift gate to 45* angle and lift off the passenger side, reverse to reinstall. No tools needed.

 

A small upright piano weighs 300 to 450 pounds. Unless you have some body builder friends, I suggest you make a ramp or rent one from a mover.

 

If they would fit you could probably haul 3 of them and not even come close to hurting the truck. And I personally think the tail gate would take the whole weight without a problem.

 

It shouldn't hurt Your Truck,thats why fords are "Built Ford Tough"

 

I used to buy, repair and sell upright pianos...so I've had quite a few in the bed of my various pickups.

The average (pine or walnut) upright piano weighs around 500 lbs. (550 lbs. for oak).

Add another 150 lbs. if it's a player piano.

Loading: You do not want the piano's weight on the tailgate, so unhook the two straps, and let the tailgate drop all the way down till it touches the bumper.

Put a 5 foot long heavy quilt or blanket on the edge of the bed, load the piano onto it and slide it in. It takes a minimum of two ppl to do this.

Make sure the "belly board" is secure. Run straps horizontally all the way around the girth of the piano in several places (above and below the keyboard), then tie it down.

 

If the tailgate is touching the bumper then wont the outside of the tailgate get dented when the weight pushes it into the bumper?

What NumberDummy said makes sense except for that. I would just take the gate off.

 

Thanks for all of the replies guys. I'm going to go and pick it up on Saturday and will follow the advice of taking off the tailgate prior to loading. A buddy has a piano skid so we'll use that.

Anybody from the Victoria area feel like damaging their back for a complete stranger? ...Anyone? ...Bueller?

 

i thought the same thing when i read that.

just take the gate off.

 

Me too, happens when the cables snap too. Tailgate drops to bumper and it gives it a nice crease and scratches it all to....

Myself I liked the old stamped steal plate straps. Never had one break.

 

tuning pianos is a bitch

 

lol? uhm...