Did I Overload My Truck?

[69RoadRunner]

I have a 2006 Mega Cab 2500, and I just picked up a load of topsoil. They basically filled the short bed.



The rear was definitely lower than normal (duh). I have no idea how much this much topsoil weighs. The truck didn't feel dangerous, but I could tell that stopping distance was longer.



So, does a full bed of topsoil in the bed put me over/near the truck's rated limit? I wouldn't think it would, but I'm new to trucks.

 

[klenger]

The MC 2500 has very little payload. You most definetly overloaded the truck, but I doubt that anything was damaged. I am not a member of the weight police, but do watch the numbers.

 

[69RoadRunner]

Yikes! Well, at least it was only a 5 mile drive. I unloaded about 1/4 of the load already. I plan on unloading the rest tomorrow, but should do it ASAP to prevent any damage?

 

[Boondocker]

The only damage will be scraping the paint when you remove the dirt.

Tell me you have a bed liner

 

[Joe G.]

I've overloaded mine several times hauling material from a nearby place to my place (less than ten miles). No problem with that. I don't think I would want to get out on the highway running close to the speed limit with an overload. Just take it easy and leave plenty of stopping distance in front of you.

 

[69RoadRunner]

Yes, I have a LineX bedliner. I can't believe I used all the dirt and could use more. Maybe next time I'll get a half load. It's only $21 for what I got today, which is the smallest they sell.

 

[TowPro]

I have had 2000 lbs of stone in my last long bed, and it was about 2/3 the way up on the sides, and level in the center with the top of the bed. I bet dirt is a little lighter. Not sure what the Mega Cab is rated for, but I don't think you were over loaded, and if you were, not by that much.

 

[69RoadRunner]

Well, when we had me, my wife, my 2. 75 year old son and 3 month old daughter in the truck with a light load of brush in the bed, the truck weighed 7280 according to the scale at the dump.



There are lots of numbers on the Dodge web site. The payload capacity is 2220 for my SLT (why is the Laramie 3210?). There are a ton of other numbers on the site under capacity, and it's hard to figure out which one applies.



Maybe tomorrow I'll check what's actually on the truck.

 

[duckcarvr]

I got a yard of top soil in my F250 HD a while back and i have a long bed. it was about 1/2 full. i believe the seller said it was about 1800 lbs per yard. a yard is a 3' x 3' x 3' cube. rock - sand as mentioned above can go 2050 to 2800 lbs per yard. by measureing the truck bed you can figure where you were lbs wise at least a in the ball park robert

 

[abdiver]

Topsoil is about 1200 -1500# per yd its weight depends on how wet it is and the type of soil (real dirt) from a field or the manufactures stuff sold as topsoil normally mixed with feathers, wood chips, rice hull and just enough loam to pass as soil. A short bed filled to water level is about 2yds so you had around 3000 lbs.

 

[Mundgyver]

When you loaded up the truck, were you down on the overload springs??

 

[Froadin]

In my 01, I loaded 100 bags of sand, and each bag was 40 lbs.

So 4000 lbs in the bed, at LEAST. The sand was a little moist, and it was SUPER fine sand, so moisture adds up for weight.

Funny part, I had loaded up 3000 lbs in the bed and the back was down a bit, but nothing drastic looking. So I loaded up the rest, and it didn't really go any further down.

It wasn't till after I loaded it until I figured the weight.

I didn't go TOO far, but it actually drove fine. I hit a couple bumps going a little fast and I actually felt it slightly bottom out.



Not doing that ever again, but I didn't have a choice with a very limited time frame.

 

[69RoadRunner]

It wasn't down on the springs. I believe it was a cubic yard. That's the smallest amount they sell. Maybe I didn't overload it. I guess I could get another load next week for the back yard and my neighbor said he could use some. Like I said, it's less than 5 miles away, and while about 1. 5 miles of it has a speed limit of 50 mph, there are 5 lights in that stretch and lots of traffic, so I'll bet I didn't go over 40.



On my way home from getting the topsoil, I saw an F250 with granite slabs (I think) in the back. It was sagging so far down in the back that it looked like the space shuttle set for launch!

 

[Joe G.]

I seriously doubt that you were overloaded. I've had two yards of crushed rock on mine several times. That's overloaded. No highway driving between the landscape company and where I live. No problem, but I make sure I have plenty of stopping room. There is a short piece of 9% grade to climb just before my house. Mostly town driving on one long one way street so I'm never over 30. The suspension and drive train are ok. Plenty of spring travel left. The truck is actually pretty level. Stopping quick might be a challenge.



An eight foot bed full of dirt is only a problem if I go fast enough for it to blow off.

 

[klenger]

When you loaded up the truck, were you down on the overload springs??

Unless the MC is different, the 2500 does not have overload springs.

 

[Mundgyver]

Depends on which 2500 you have. If you have a high output type you should have the exact same rearend as a 3500 minus 2 tires. Springs and axle should be the same. . With no signature to look at, I had to ask

 

[rubberneck]

Depends on which 2500 you have. If you have a high output type you should have the exact same rearend as a 3500 minus 2 tires. Springs and axle should be the same. . With no signature to look at, I had to ask

i seriously doubt you were that far overloaded with that much dirt in that truck. I have had way more weight in my 01 2500. Not saying it is techincally "legal" but nonetheless, the truck handles it fine.

 

[69RoadRunner]

Depends on which 2500 you have. If you have a high output type you should have the exact same rearend as a 3500 minus 2 tires. Springs and axle should be the same. . With no signature to look at, I had to ask

I didn't think they had separate output levels on the 2006 2500 Mega Cab.



I just looked at my receipt for the topsoil, and it says 1 ton. If my payload is just over 2000 pounds, then I was close to the rated payload, but was OK.

 

[Mundgyver]

Just asking here, but what transmission do you have, stick or auto and do you know what axle you have in the back. 3rd gens have the General Axle I believe vice the Dana axles that 2nd gens have.



I have a 2nd gen H. O. SB with a Dana 80. The Dana 80 is good to 11,500 lbs. making my truck a 1 ton even though it is listed as a 3/4.



The question for you is in the General Axle line, which model do you have and what is the load rating for the axle on your truck. Usually the tires are the limiting factor and the load rating is base on the weakest point of the suspension. That will be tires and then springs. If you have a factory manual for your truck model and year, the information should be in there.



Like others have said already though, I doubt that you have hurt anything.

 

[MA2LA]

I have yet to load up my 06 but my 99 2500 was abused pretty bad. I judged the load by the disatance betwen the axle and bump stops. the worse was 1/2" and it was rough. drive line vibrated like heck and it cracked an Eaton steel 16. 5 wheel.