I have the truck in my sig with these tires: http://www.michelinman.com/tires/light-truck/ltx-ms/

I have some pecan trees in a rural area with no way to get water to them other than by taking it to them with my truck. I am planning on getting a 525 gallon tank like this one: http://www.loomistank.com/horizontal-leg-tanks.html

Will my truck be able to handle the weight of a full 525 gallon water tank in the bed or will I need to get something smaller and make multiple trips? I'm guessing the tank will weigh around 200 pounds dry but I have no idea how much it will weigh when full. I won't be driving faster than 30 MPH so interstate or highway speeds are not a concern. The roads are also pretty smooth. I'm thinking I should probably get a smaller tank but maybe I am underestimating a 1/2 ton truck's ability.

 

One gallon of water weighs ~ 8.35lbs. Taking that into consideration, 250 gallons will weigh approximately 2,087.5 lbs, and that doesn't include the 200lb weight of the tank.

 

Oh wow that is a hell of a lot. I guess I could just go smaller and make two or three trips instead of one. I only need to go 5 miles with the tank full though. I searched and found some threads where people put 3,000+ in the bed of a 1/2 ton for short distances but I don't want to stress my baby out too much.

 

I had put 1 ton (2000 lbs) worth of rocks in my bed once for a very short distance. I don't think I would do it again.

It was all back roads, slow speeds, but the handling was terrible, not to mention the braking. The suspension just could not handle the weight. Every little bump through the truck, it was a handful to say the least.

I'd consider mounting the tank on a trailer if this will be a regular thing you need to do.

Probably the easiest and safest way out

 

To add to the above, water sloshing around adds an entire new dynamic to (loss of) control.

 

So what about a 230 gallon tank? It will weigh about 70 pounds dry and 230 x 8.35 = 1,920.5. So that should be right around 2,000 pounds. I would have to make multiple trips but I would rather do that than damage my truck.

EDIT: Just saw the post above about 2,000 pounds. Do you think it would be okay for 5 miles at 20 MPH or so on smooth roads with just an occasional bump?

 

i think you'd be better off to pick up about 4 plastic or steel drums of about 55 gal each and lash them into the bed. fill them full with lids to prevent sloshing. that'd be about 1600 pounds. your truck would be reasonably safe to drive.

 

That would still be 220 gallons, though. We're talking 2,000 pounds with a 230 gallon tank so I don't see how 220 gallons would be 400 pounds less. I really don't want to have to pull a trailer. I think I'll look into beefing up the rear suspension so that it can handle 2,000 pounds or so. I have no idea what that will entail or what it will cost but getting 2,000 pounds in the back of the truck safely at low speeds and short distances would be ideal for my situation.

 

You answered your own question. Pull a trailer, and while you're at it you should upgrade your wheel cylinders.

 

I would agree that a trailer would be the way to go, but if you must put that much into the back of your truck, a set of airbags is a good adjustable way to "beef" the rear suspention...

For the record though, I weighed my truck (98 QC SB 4x4 318 auto) and it was about 5300 fueled but unloaded. GVWR is 6600 lbs. That means that people, gear, and load maximum is 1300 lbs....not really all that much to play with.