Best pickup for hauling pellets?

[SXIPro]

It's time for me to buy a new truck, although more than likely not brand new. I've owned 1/2 ton Dodges for the last 30 years. The Ram 1500s had no issues with a ton of pellets or even 1.3 ton of Oakies in the bed. Do you Toyota, Chevy, and Ford guys have the same results with your 1/2 ton trucks?

 

[bbfarm]

We have a 1995 f250 7.3 diesel. 3/4 ton with a 1 ton front end.

We have had 2 tons and the stove in it with no problems. It was squatting though

 

[jp0469]

A ton of pellets will push the payload rating of any 1/2 ton pickup but I'm sure any make will be fine for a short trip if you take it easy. Personally, I have a new GMC but use a 5 X 8 utility trailer with a 3000lb GVWR. I'd rather put the load on my $1000 trailer than my $40000 truck. The trailer is also easier to unload due to the height and the ramp/gate.

 

[P38X2]

Though I've done in once in a '94 F150 (cowed out bad) I wouldn't recommend it, nor would I do it again. You're overloading your truck's capacity by 100% or more. NOT safe and not legal.

It's not just the truck's chassis you need to think about. What about the brakes? The braking systems are big on high cap pickups for a reason. Same with the load ratings on the tires. The least that could happen is you'll break something on your truck. Cause an accident that's deemed your fault, and guess what your insurance company will be looking at first. Now think what else could be damaged, or worse, other than metal and plastic because you had to have pellets.

There are gray areas though regarding the truck's physical capabilitys. An F250(3/4 ton) has the same suspension (minus 2" on the rear leaf blocks) as an F350(1 ton) and the same brakes. However, the same legalities will apply in the event of a collision.

 

[Bioburner]

Ford is running ad now with a claim of 21oo or so. Just remember more than a ton. A lot more Al in their new truck.

 

[Mt Bob]

Best for the job?Your neighbors!The 1/2.3/4 ect. rating means nothing anymore,you have to read the build sheet/look it up.The industry doesn't use that standard anymore.Carefull of the toyo's when they went to the bigger style.true they had the highest bumper pull rating,but could not safely haul a camper,and could not safely put in a 5th wheel hitch.This may have changed in the last 2 years I have been away from them.

 

[Bioburner]

Best for the job?Your neighbors!The 1/2.3/4 ect. rating means nothing anymore,you have to read the build sheet/look it up.The industry doesn't use that standard anymore.Carefull of the toyo's when they went to the bigger style.true they had the highest bumper pull rating,but could not safely haul a camper,and could not safely put in a 5th wheel hitch.This may have changed in the last 2 years I have been away from them.

I've been borrowing aluminum 2 axle trailer. With two skids of pellets is just over 5100lbs. Load some up front for some bumper weight so things don't get squirrelly.

 

[JohnRXL]

1/2 truck will do it with ease, but I wouldn't travel long distances with a ton of pellets. Here's my 1/2 ton with 1 ton on it.

 

[AntPen]

I picked up a ton of pellets in my 7 passenger Trailblazer 2 years ago, but that was pushing it.

 

[Enigma869]

Just be aware that places like Home Depot and Lowes (at least the ones I go to) won't even load a ton of pellets into a half ton truck. I own an F150 and they made me take half a ton at a time. Not a huge deal for me, as I live a mile away from the place. Just wanted you to be aware that you could run into this issue.

 

[alternativeheat]

It's time for me to buy a new truck, although more than likely not brand new. I've owned 1/2 ton Dodges for the last 30 years. The Ram 1500s had no issues with a ton of pellets or even 1.3 ton of Oakies in the bed. Do you Toyota, Chevy, and Ford guys have the same results with your 1/2 ton trucks?

I have my garden tractor trailer, bought at HD years ago for around $700. I'm sure they are bit more these days but so easy to unload from, has a ramp for running equipment up onto it. I tow it with a Nissan X-terra, same thing I tow my boat with. I couldn't be happier with that little investment and I have a whole SUV for hauling the grand kids and my fishing gear around etc. I converted from pickup trucks a few years ago because I got sick of crawling in the back of them with a cap on there to protect my tubs of fly and spin fishing things with. More access to everything with the SUV, not crawling on my knees..

 

[ZBrooks]

If a 1/2 pickup is your preference, just use a trailer to haul pellets. I was taught at an early age that it is preferable to pull the weight around, rather than carry it.

 

[jimfrompa]

I have a 2005 Toyota Tundra with a small 4.7 V-8 and I know it would handle a full ton with no trouble at all. But as several other guys have pointed out, it's not legal and I'll add that if you get into an accident, you're in big trouble. The insurance company won't back you and the other guy will own your house. To my surprise, both pellet suppliers that I use will gladly put a full ton on any one half ton pickup. In Pennsylvania, if they overload a truck, they can be liable as well. When I pointed that out, they just shrugged - amazing. I always buy a ton and make two trips - better safe than sorry.

 

[tjnamtiw]

Hold off a little longer. Dodge is introducing their full size pickup with a smaller eco diesel with great fuel mileage. It still will pull over 9000 pounds. AND the upcharge isn't QUITE as ridiculous as other companies feel free to do for an engine with fewer moving parts and less complicated engine management systems. And it's not like they don't make many diesel engines or it's new technology. They make millions in Europe. Yes, I'm talking to you, Ford, Chrysler, GM, and VW!

 

[tjnamtiw]

I have a 2005 Toyota Tundra with a small 4.7 V-8 and I know it would handle a full ton with no trouble at all. But as several other guys have pointed out, it's not legal and I'll add that if you get into an accident, you're in big trouble. The insurance company won't back you and the other guy will own your house. To my surprise, both pellet suppliers that I use will gladly put a full ton on any one half ton pickup. In Pennsylvania, if they overload a truck, they can be liable as well. When I pointed that out, they just shrugged - amazing. I always buy a ton and make two trips - better safe than sorry.

It makes so much sense to just fork over a few thousand more for a trailer capable of handling the weight. Then you avoid the legal implications and you have something you can haul so many other things with it. AND you keep your trailer bed clean so your case of beer doesn't get dirty!

 

[Bioburner]

Hold off a little longer. Dodge is introducing their full size pickup with a smaller eco diesel with great fuel mileage. It still will pull over 9000 pounds. AND the upcharge isn't QUITE as ridiculous as other companies feel free to do for an engine with fewer moving parts and less complicated engine management systems. And it's not like they don't make many diesel engines or it's new technology. They make millions in Europe. Yes, I'm talking to you, Ford, Chrysler, GM, and VW!

Ford made the Escort with a three cylinder Perkins. Had one in the family, three owners, finally got sold out of the family and had short of 300,000 miles.

 

[Hoot23]

I put a ton in a 1/2 ton 2wd GMC. Squatted it pretty good. Won't do that again. I think that's where the busted spring came from. I use my 1 ton GMC work van now. Fits a ton snug in the back without unwrapping it.

 

[Ctcarl]

This year I payed $65 to Home Depot and got 3 tons delivered to the front of my garage. Took me 3 hours to stack them in the basement .

 

[Ash]

It's time for me to buy a new truck, although more than likely not brand new. I've owned 1/2 ton Dodges for the last 30 years. The Ram 1500s had no issues with a ton of pellets or even 1.3 ton of Oakies in the bed. Do you Toyota, Chevy, and Ford guys have the same results with your 1/2 ton trucks?

SXI, i haul a ton home 60 miles with my 2008 chevy 1/2 ton no prob. Think the truck is rated for around 1700 lbs or so and I don't think an extra 300 lbs would be noticable to anyone.

 

[SXIPro]

Just be aware that places like Home Depot and Lowes (at least the ones I go to) won't even load a ton of pellets into a half ton truck. I own an F150 and they made me take half a ton at a time. Not a huge deal for me, as I live a mile away from the place. Just wanted you to be aware that you could run into this issue.

Weird. I've had Ram 1500s (1/2 tons) the entire time I've had my pellet stove. So fifteen years, give or take,, picking up pellets at Agway, HD, Lowes, Tractor Supply. Pellets R Us and probably a couple more mom and pop stove shops, and none of them ever said boo when dropping a full pallet into my truck.

 

[Enigma869]

Weird. I've had Ram 1500s (1/2 tons) the entire time I've had my pellet stove. So fifteen years, give or take,, picking up pellets at Agway, HD, Lowes, Tractor Supply. Pellets R Us and probably a couple more mom and pop stove shops, and none of them ever said boo when dropping a full pallet into my truck.

I find it more weird that all of these other places load a ton on half ton trucks. I'm no Attorney, but I would imagine they would have some serious liability if something were to happen. Not to mention, as others have pointed out, if you get into an accident while hauling a ton of anything on a half ton truck, you're SCREWED! Whomever you hit, will own all of your worldly possessions.

 

[Augmister]

My 1/2 Range will take 25-30 bags of pellets, usually, two trips. This year, convinced the wifie to tag along in her Forrester so we now do the full ton in two vehicles. Easy peasey. Saved a couple of hours doing it this way and time is $$$.

 

[railfanron]

I think all you guys that think your 1/2 ton truck is hauling a ton no problem should go to a scale and weigh the truck empty with you in it to see what it actually weighs. Then you can look at the GVW sticker and see what your actual cargo hauling capacity is. I think most of you will be shocked. All my 1/2 tons could carry a ton in them but every one of them would be overloaded and I've had all the big three at one time or another. My Chevy 3/4 ton scales in at 7100 lbs with me, gas and my across the bed toolbox with about 100 lbs of tools in it. It's GVW is 9200 so I can get 2100 lbs of pellets in it without being overload. Can I carry more with no problem? Yes but I don't. The GVW of a stripped down 1/2 ton in a certain can size is EXACTLY the same as one with all the options it can have. Those options take away a lot of the cargo carrying capacity.
Ron

 

[THE ROOSTER]

I have a 1996 Z71 Chevy Extended Cab, it too will handle a ton of pellets with ease. I used to throw some up in the cab with me just to lighten the load in the back. But I now use a utility trailer and split the load up, just to make it easier on the springs/shocks.

 

[hossthehermit]

Kinda like the ? that always pops up on blade forums . "What's the best knife for killing zombies?" .......