1993 Dodge Dakota, Ext Cab, 5.2L, Rear Wheel Drive, Auto Trans

Anyone know how much weight I can safely put in the bed without trashing my truck? Need to get some pea gravel. Gravel probably weighs 2,500 lbs per cubic yard. Pretty sure I don't want to do that but thinking I could handle a 1/2 cubic yard at 1250 lbs. No passengers, no other crap in or on the truck, just me and the gravel.

 

Well, first off, what's the GVWR on the door sticker?

I'd go off of that.

But yes, the Dakota was supposed to be a 1/2 ton pickup, so 1250 lbs should be OK. BUT. Do a once-over to make sure you don't have any broken springs in the back etc.

Addendum: Fill the back tires to the sidewall max also. And make sure to take it slow and easy while driving; don't tailgate, don't push it, don't mistake it for a C8 Corvette or some other great handling sports car.

RwP

 

Yeah, my GVWR is 5200 lbs but problem is I don't know what my truck weighs to know the difference for load capacity. But I kinda feel relatively safe at 1250 provided I don't drive like a raped ape. Just nice that someone else agrees.

And your advice to take it easy is good with or without gravel in the back end.

 

For comparison...... My 87 standard cab long wheel base 4 WD 5 speed v6 with me and half tank of gas is 4060....... I'm 200 of it.

 

That sounds about right. That would leave about 1200 load capacity per spec.

 

I have a 5X10 utility trailer I pull. I've had it for 30+ years. It can carry more, if I don't unload it all the way I can unhook it and the bucket is away from the truck when they dump the load into it. It ran me $500 and they don't run much more than that now. About $700 now. It has a 3500 pound axle and weighs around 500 pounds. With 3000 pound plates I can legally haul 2500 pounds. Plus, I can take my time loading it.

 

before i sold my 96 4x4 xtended cab i hauled some dirt and was 800lb over gvwr. only drove about 15mi but it was fine. 1200lb would be fine but i wouldnt go any higher

 

I put 2404 lbs on mine!! But.... went a short distance, on hardtop, and most of the weight was to the front. Would not suggest this to be tried!!

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...kota-haul.html

 

For the record as the OP of this thread...

I had a half cubic yard of pea gravel loaded in my truck. It was uniformly spread front to back. Aprox weight of gravel: 1,300 lbs. It handled it fine. Definitely knew I had something back there but did not bottom out the shocks/springs or point the front toward the sky. Drove moderately and did not get crazy. When I pulled in the gravel yard I told the guy I wanted some pea gravel and he said (before I did) "A half yard". He knew what it could handle and probably wouldn't load more even if I asked. I concur...1,300 lbs is fine but I would NOT recommend more.

Thanks for your input fellas.

 

Your yard guys are obviously smarter than the ones around here...... I went to get some topsoil, the loader guy put two scoops into the bed. It didn't *look* like a lot, but, the scale said 5000 lbs........ (3/4 ton truck) of dirt in the bed.... The front was EXTREMELY squirrely, and I don't think there was much suspension travel left in the back.... Fortunately, I didn't have to go far, and I didn't go any faster than about 30mph........ The next time I went to get topsoil, I went with a dumptrailer, with brakes...... MUCH better experience.