I have a 2003 SCrew, 4.6L, 2wd, 3.55, Automatic. I need to move 2000 lbs of pea gravel 12 miles. Is this something I should attempt, or will I damage my truck. I know the powertrain will handle it, but my concern is that I will damage the body or frame. I would like to fill the bed with the gravel.

 

I would be more concerned with your tires, if you have LT tires you should be ok, but if you have p tires, you better make 2 trips.

 

I unfortunately have p rated tires on it. If I use my flashers and drive really slow over the 12 miles do you think I can pull this off. The place I am picking up the rock from closes at noon and I am not sure that I can get it all picked up and unloaded fast enough to make 2 trips between the time that they open and close tomorrow.

 

as long as you dont go fast you should be fine. ive hauled a bed full of bricks, rocks, sand, dirt, mulch to the point where it was just heaped up there. i was almost to the bump stop on the frame so i didnt have much travel and had to take my hitch off cuz it would drag. and beware you wont be able to stop quickly with the momentum and your brakes will heat up faster so just be careful.

a boxed trailer is a safer/easier way to go i say.

 

I wish I had access to a boxed trailer. I have contemplated trying to rent a trailer, but cannot find a place with a trailer that will meet my needs.

 

renting is expensive. my dad bought a 12ft flat bed w/ rails and built a box and i welded anchors for when we put a tarp over it we have something to tie into. but just go slow.

 

Yes you might not feel the strain right now but your truck will hate you in the long run, and you better hope thatthe 5.0 don't see an issue.

 

whats wrong with the 5-0? what would they say: your going to slow? i see lots of ppl hauling heavy loads and going slow. as long as your not in the fast lane...

 

just do it!

built ford tough baby!
haha

 

I moved a similar amount with a u-haul trailer but my tranny is beefed and my motor makes a lot more power than yours does and I still made two trips


what's wrong with getting one trip this weekend and one trip next weekend????

 

thats what im wondering.

id honestly never put 2k pounds of cargo on P-rated tires. I have not clue what the tires are rated to but id feel alot safer on LT tires.

 

It's a definite overload, but 12 miles at 35 mph or less will be okay. Max out the rear tire pressures before you get the load. I've seen a lot worse.

 

I move 7000 all the time with a trailer. There's a big difference doing that then there is throwing 2000 lbs in the bed. Hell I have beefed springs + 1 and 2000 is a little much, I could probably do it with out a problem. Fact is , I don't know how much I can put in the back now lol. I think stock , they come with just 3 springs and are pretty weak. - I would have it delivered if that was possible. - She's going to sink with the stock set up if you do it, unless you use a trailer lol. I dunno tho, I even tried pulling with an 01 5.4L and it sucked so bad I sold it lol. It just wasn't set up right. Love the 98, shes a runner

I can't remember the rating on tires. The pressure's are higher than normal. The truck is 45 lbs, but the trailer tires (car hauler/tandem axle) runs @ 70 lbs. Those tires are expensive as hell.

You need to visit Shiftys work truck thread lol - he has a a pic with a 5000 lb Bridgeport in the bed lol. He actually moved it, but that's just nuts.

Hey - Look under the truck, most came with 3 springs, but some have 4 - that fourth spring makes a big difference.

 

I went ahead and rented a 6x12 uhaul trailer. I figured that the $30 for the rental is worth not potentially damaging my truck.

I regularly haul a 5000 lb travel trailer, so 2k in a trailer was barely even noticeable. Thanks for the input.

JJ

 

Yea, 2000 lbs in a 6x12 tandem axle Uhaul Utility Trailer is nothing.

Those Uhaul trailers are nice,- built very well