Don’t want to overload gravel how do I tell when?

I am picking up some gravel tomorrow as much as I want but I don’t want to overload the truck. Any tips on when is enough? Maybe see how much it sags or something else? Was tempted to bring a scale to see how much a shovel full weighs so I can count them.

 

Load it to the top of the bed and be sure to post a video driving away. YouTube gold.

 

https://www.inchcalculator.com/gravel-calculator/

Somethung like thar might help

 

Rent a double axle trailer

 

I just take 1 scoop, which for the frontloader that the hardware store has is 1100 lb. My Tacoma is a 1/2 ton so 1 scoop is OK.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl1FNX08HFc

 

Enough= spilling over the sides

 

OE springs sag quite a bit with just a few hundred pounds,, keep that in mind. Depending on trim and options most have a capacity of about 900-1,100 pounds including passengers.
In short; not much at all. You’re better off buying bags and starting small.

 

You're going to load a truck with gravel by the shovel?
And then unload it in some similar manner?

 

If you have leaf springs under there, they shouldn't be shaped like, or be the shape of a frown: especially the top 2-3 ->

For reference, six 70lb tubes of sand (bags) just starts to load my bottom leaf. (#4)

70x6=420

 

Haven't hauled any rock in the 3rd gen.
Hauled some river rock in my 1st gen. once. Couldn't go above the wheel well before the tires were shoved right up there.
Even that made me nervous driving home.

 

Depending on your springs and tire condition, I did 1,000 lbs short hauls without problem.

 

I don’t understand why people get scared when their leaf springs compress under load. If that bothers you, I suggest replacing your leaf springs with an I-beam.

Pickup life is only appreciated by the few.

This is in response to some of responders in this thread, not the OP.

 

Highly recommend renting a trailer or better yet a full sized truck, I highly suggest putting a very large tarp in the bed/trailer that goes over the sides so its easier to clean out once its 95% empty. If your paying for the gravel already might be worth seeing what the local going rate for gravel delivered is.

 

This is 1500lbs of flooring, she sat on the bump stops.
Get a trailer, you will be able to haul a ton more.
But if you want to load your bed, you can fill it to about 5 inches deep of gravel, and you will max out your trucks payload.

 

Damn. I'm not sure I would want to drive over a stick with that weight. Good looking truck though. Lifted?

 

Pro suspension with eibach lift on it. Only drove about a mile home. It handled it pretty well though, but you could see where the bump stops were rubbing when I got home.

 

Trucks have certainly gotten weak over the years.
I had a ‘88 Chevy S10 pickup 4x4 reg cab long box with the mighty 2.8 V6 5 speed and it had a cargo carrying capacity of 1,500 lbs. Thats more than a lot of 1/2 tons nowadays.

 

I love that guy. Wish I had money to just do stupid shit all day

 

3/4 inch washed crushed granite may weigh in the 115 lbs per CF range. (Cubic foot 12x12x12 inches.) A bit more if wet or more fines.

Your Tacoma will have well under a half ton capacity, or some 900 lbs.

A Tacoma with 44 inch between wheel wells and 5 ft bed (66 in.spec) is roughly 20 square foot or more.

So 900 lbs/ 2OSF is 45LB/SF max load.
45LB/SF x 1CF/115LB = 0.39 ft height load.
0.39 ft x 12 = 4.7 inch max recommended load.