I have a 8 cylinder 2001 dodge ram 1500. I need to get some sand, but I am a little worried I'll overload the box.
What weight can I safely put in the bed of the truck?

Thanks,

Jmsloan

 

A thousand pounds worth. You're welcome.

 

no clue on an exact number for you but i recall times where the bed has been full to the rim or higher with tons of crap im sure you wont overload it unless it was concrete maybe

 

if your leaf springs go flat then its probably a little too much.

 

Have you ever wondered why they call 1500s 1/2 Ton, 2500 3/4 tons, and 3500s 1 tons? Well, That is how much you can haul in the bed. 1000 pounds.

 

^ I know on our trucks it's kind of a moot point, but truck manufactures haven't been following the 1500= 1,500# rule for a long time. It's getting higher, but the 1500 , 2500, and 3500 is staying the same. I guess now, technically, the 2010 HD rams wont have a 2500 or 3500 marking anymore.

 

Here's how much sand weighs.

damp sand weighs 3240 lbs. per cubic yard
dry sand will weigh 2700 ibs. per cubic yard
wet packed weighs 3510 lbs. per cubic yard

 

id say not much over 2200 -2400 lb if your going any distance, and keep your OD locked out

 

Maybe 30 years ago...

 

for some reason i think the bed can handle alot more. The only mod i got on my truck is the Monro Sensatrac Load Adjusting shocks, and i was able to put just over 4000lbs of mulch in the bed. Rode like a caddy, but the leafs were'nt even really bending much.