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Old 03-24-2008, 01:33 PM   #1 (permalink)
ZeroPt99
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Hauling Sod - approx 2K lbs load in bed.

I decided to go get a pallet of sod this weekend, and asked if they could just put it in the bed of my truck. I actually own a utility trailer, but don't have a trailer hitch on this truck. Go figure.

They said to grab an empty pallet and make sure it fit in the bed. It fit perfectly between the wheel wells, so I told the guy to load it up. He brought one over on a forklift and as he set it down on the bed, I watched the rear end squat like crazy. I had no idea that a pallet of sod would weigh so much. The guy told me it was roughly 2,000 lbs, and said "that's pushing it for a 1/2 ton truck, but I don't think you'll have any problems". As he eased it forward in the bed, I watched the whole truck lurch back and forth on it's suspension. I was a bit nervous, as the rear tires were maybe 1.5 inches off the fenders. I've never seen my truck so low in back. However, I only had 3 to 4 miles to go, so I decided to give it a shot.

The truck acted like the load wasn't even there. I couldn't feel it taking off, and it was a nice and comfortable (I drove slow) ride back home. I was proud. First time I've ever loaded anything significantly heavy in the bed.

When I went to take the pallet back today to get my deposit refunded, there was a girl there in a 3500 dually, and she had TWO pallets in the back of her truck, and the thing didn't really even look like it was squatting under the load even.

I left quickly.
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