Hi All,

I am in need of transporting about 1800 lb of hardwood floors from Portland OR to Seattle WA (roughly 200mi)
To my understanding the max recommended payload for my truck (2005 ram 1500 4x4 quad cab 5.7 hemi) is around 1600lb. - please corect me if I am wrong.

What are the dangers of doing this trip?
Also I have never driven the truck with any load at all. Are there any recommendations/warnings about it? I am guessing it takes a lot longer to stop for once but is there anything else I should watch for?

Thank You,
CVS

 

If your not comfortable putting the weight in the back of your truck, just rent or borrow a trailer and tow it. 1800lbs is nothing to tow. I drove from Louisiana to Pennsylvania with about that much weight in my truck and it didn't skip a beat. But you are right, you are going to have less brake, especially if your rotors/pads are worn.

 

The truck can handle it, I took a couple loads of river rock at 2200 lbs. a load (pre-air bag days too). But only over about 22 miles. If you are not used to driving with a heavy or unstable load, especially at highway speeds, you do really need to consider moving it with a trailer...

 

You'll be over the GVWR of your truck, and if you get caught it can mean a big fine... For a couple miles it would probably be ok, but for 200, I would go the trailer route. The trailer takes all of the weight, and you don't risk damage to your truck.

 

+4 on the trailer...it'll probably take around the same amount of time either way (10-15mph lower speed limit on hwy with trailer vs crap load of weight and having to drive slow with payload) so might as well make it easier on your truck.

 

+1 on the trailer.

However either way, take it slow. Be very cautious. Pay attention to your load and you surroundings. Never get to close to anyone in front of you, If someone cuts you off, take your foot off the gas and back off. Leave your self lots of room to break, Rember and object in motion wants to stay in motion, This goes double for very heavy loads. Use the break sparingly, When you do use the breaks put slow steady pressure on them, You don't want them to overheat. If your load is over center of gravity, Make sure you take your turns relativly slow and the wider the turn the better. Sharp turns are a sure way to throw around your load and possibly your rear end if the load doesn't go first.

If you do load it in your bed, I believe you can get helper leafs in an autmotive shop for a fairly small price (Like $30 or so.), This will help reduce sway in the back of your truck. Also reduce wear and tear on your leafs. They can be put on and taken off pretty easily.

I have driven Lots of loads in tons of different vehicles from full fledge semis carrying double trailers to my current vehicles.

Stay safe and all will be well, you will be fine.

 

if you can get a trailer with brakes that will really help the braking issue. I have a 6.5 x14 trailer that i bought new with brakes on it because if i use it it's LOADED if its 5 miles or 500 miles trailer brakes help a ton