Hauling gravel

[bp02f150]

I'm in need of some gravel at my house and want to haul it myself. But am afraid to have that loader dump gravel all now the side of my truck and scratch it up.....i know its a truck but it kills me to think of that happening. Anywho, I was thinking about making something to protect the sides and tell me if you think it will work. I want to buy some rubber floor mat (about 1/8 thick) and drape it over the sides attaching it to the bed rails that I have on the truck. 27 iches gets me to the wheel on the rear tire and 7 feet will cover the length of the bed. Make some type of groment in the mat and secure them a bunge cord to the bed rails. Once its load I'd be able to fold the mat over the load and use is as a tarp. You think this will work? (bad idea pros and cons any suggestions) Heck they might have something like this already and I don't know

[ChrisT]

Sounds like a bit of over kill to me, but if that's what you want to do, go for it.

I get my truck loaded often with firewood, gravel, mulch, topsoil, etc. Key for me is going to a place that I know has skilled loader operators. I've never had any issues with my truck getting damaged, however when it was new I had considered draping a moving quilt over the side to protect the paint. Might be an easier option for you with less hassle.

[Oreo99]

Originally Posted by ChrisT

I had considered draping a moving quilt over the side to protect the paint. Might be an easier option for you with less hassle.

x2

[Raoul]

Your bed sides will be fine.

Lay a tarp half in the bed and throw the rest up over the cab.
That's where your potential for trouble will be come load time.

Then you can throw the tarp over the gravel, not that you need a tarp for a gravel load. What you can carry won't rise to the bedrails.

[Oreo99]

Originally Posted by Raoul

you shoulda burnt them dudes

[Raoul]

Originally Posted by Oreo99

you shoulda burnt them dudes

Those days are gone.
"...No structure within 300 feet of fire...."
Basically, you need a football field in each direction.

[APT]

I've never had problems even with my small 5.5' bed. The 6' wide buckets are dumped in on an angle. Some landscaping places have 3' wide buckets. I've never had rocks, though, only dirt, sand, and mulch.