Safe weight and height--hauling in the bed of my truck

[jkidd]

Looking to take 2400 lbs about 500 miles max payload is about 3400lbs. Don't want to take the trailer if i don't have to, but want to be safe as well.



I have 2001 short bed 2500.



Hauling 2 crates that are 6L x 4W x 3H. I will need to stack them if I put them in my bed. the 1300lb on the bottom the 900lb on top.



This will put some of the weight pretty high as I will need to stack them. I tow a lot of trailers and 5th wheels, but have not yet loaded the bed much.



any suggestions...

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

You could probably do it, but I'd say take the trailer. Distribute the weight out instead of up.

 

[MCrossley]

I have had some huge things in the bed of my 01 and that is getting a bit top heavy especially a short bed I think you will have a uncomforable trip if you do take it on though make sure to use some very overated straos to the bed tie downs as well as the 2 crates together as if you get any momentum built up you will loose the whole thing...

 

[jkidd]

thanks for the advice, I don't think it would be worth it to save 1 hour and $50 worth of gas on a 1000 mile trip.



So I can learn... . what would be a safer limit... . just the height?

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Ya, if it was a single crated item sitting on the bed it wouldn't be so bad. But you'd have a seperate 900# crate at least three feet above the bed. If you had to stop or swerve suddenly and the upper crate rolled or shifted, it could cause loss of control.