How much dirt can a C20 hold???

[1972_Buford]

I tried searching on google but didn't find what I was looking for. True C20 with 8 lug axles. Only issue is a PO tried to lower it by removing some of the rear springs. I hope to fix that with a newer set this weekend and replacing the worn out tires.


I need some fill dirt for a raised garden and it costs $65 to have it delivered. At $15 a ton only about 6-7 miles away it would cost more to to have it delivered than the gas and the dirt. I dont mind making a few trips just don't want to overload it.

Thanks
-B

[dan42]

Generally, 3/4 tons can handle over their rated load capacity to a certain point; I have grossly overloaded half tons with no ill effects, but i would safely say a ton if you are going just a few miles.

[1972_Buford]

hmm, I have to fill an area approximately 90 feet long, 2ft wide and 16 inches deep.... can anyone calculate how many tons I will need? I dont have a problem making several trips unless it is really excessive.

[Square_78]

I would guess 5 or 6 full loads if u can carry it. Just load it up and see how it looks. Just make sure the front wheels don't come off the ground haha
Posted via Mobile Device

[SlowYourRoll]

When I was in the Navy, we had the exact measurement of that weight. It is called
"exactly one metic f*ck ton of dirt".

try this:
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=230746

and this:
http://www.gardeners.com/Soil-Calcul...efault,pg.html
1080 inches x 24 inches x 16 inches = 240 cubic feet of soil = 8.889 cubic yards of soil.
Of which it should be 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% transplant mix/container mix.

A cubic yard of topsoil weight depends on moisture content and how well packed it is but weighs between 2000 - 2400 pounds per google search.

60% (topsoil amount) of 8.889 cubic yards = 5.334 cubic yards of topsoil = 10666.8-12800.16 pounds (just for 60% of the space you need to fill).

(also, see this: Payload capacities )

Let's say you can carry 1500 pounds at a time (3/4 of a ton) because you don't want to risk breaking anything on your old truck that you have put so much time and money into, and we will say you are right in the middle and need 11733.48 pounds of topsoil.

11733.48 divided by 1500 = 7.822 loads.

This would be 8 trips back and forth to the store if you take the safe bet of not overloading. Maybe you can make it in 5 or 6 loads. But, why risk it? You'd have to drive 5-8 times back to the store, and you have a 72, so you get what, 9 gallons to the mile?
(Here come the arguments about why you should do this since it is a truck afterall.)

Get a friend or two and rent the Home Depot in town trucks for $20/3 hours or rent a UHaul and call some guys on craigslist to do it in one trip! These newer trucks should be more reliable, be able to carry more, and you don't have to risk hurting your truck! And this my friends is why you never buy a vehicle from a rental car company! LOL. Put the abuse on that truck, that's what it is there for, just get the full coverage insurance.

Anyways, It's too late to double check the math. I'm guessing 5-8 trips in your own truck is not worth it compared to one in the UHaul!

So, if they will deliver it for $65, you don't even need to think twice. Call them tomorrow and have them drop it off! Not even a question!

[JointTech]

and you have to unload the dirt after each trip. its worth $65 for them to come dump it where you want it and be done with it.

I think the technical answer though is, if she'll roll you havent overloaded it yet

[Square_78]

Yeah I agree its worth having them deliver it if its only $65. Or yes rent a truck for $20 and use it instead.
Posted via Mobile Device

[1972_Buford]

Wow, thanks for the replies. I used their calculator and remeasured what I needed. Based on their website I need approx 7 tons of fill dirt. I am tending to agree with you guys now especially since I would have to shovel it all out of my truck before getting the next load...
Thanks again
-B

[Stocker]

With decent springs & tires, it'll carry as much as you can stuff in the bed. Not sure how much but at least 1 1/2 yards, maybe 2 yards? I won't say it's the right thing to do but it won't hurt the truck and you're only going a few miles. I once did the same thing, a long time ago, over 40+ miles of mountain road -- just had to keep speeds down and be very, very careful. I made just one trip. The scales at the county yard weighed the load at 3 tons.

With all that said, for the amount of dirt and the number of trips you'd need to make...... I would pay the have it delivered.

[mrolds88]

Back in my younger days, I was a bit more daring. The 72 GMC in my sig I loaded with 4700 of crusher run. Drove like a Cadillac.

[GASoline71]

The '67 C10 (small window) I had back in my 20's, carried crap tons of wood, dirt and rock. Never bothered it. Used to load it till it hit the overload springs (sometimes even more). Used to damn near drag the rear bumper.

I miss that truck.

Gary

[kwmech]

The bed of the truck can hold 2-1/2 yards and be almost level with the rail. I've done it several times with my 3/4 ton with 10 ply tires and 9 leaf springs

\Depending on the moisture content of the dirt....about 3500-4000 lbs

I'll be doing it again here in a couple of weeks

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by kwmech

The bed of the truck can hold 2-1/2 yards and be almost level with the rail.

I never tried to measure it, and didn't realize it held that much. My 3 ton load (mentioned above) was to the rails and up to a peak in the center. The loader operator kept asking "you sure you want more?" and I kept saying "as much as she'll hold".

Never again, though..... and if anyone's wondering, the steering was a little light and the brakes were.... well, borderline.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

it all depends on how well you want to take care of your truck & how good of operator you are. with new springs & shackles 1000lbs wont hurt it but over that yes it will haul it but you run the risk of chassis/suspension damage. why take a chance. also if you get in a wreck and a cop see's your overloaded its a attourneys dream in court......
jmo
bob

[KrashMan454]

I had to buy a 87 flat bed with sides that dumps to finish a job because the gravel pit banded me because one of their drivers got stuck on my property. It cost $500 to get it pulled out. I would not pay the wrecker bill because it was the drivers fault. Learned several leasons after this. First and one of the most important it my truck would haul way more than it is surposed to just fine, but overloaded it will not stop. I have had a couple of close calls but been lucky. Even on a grade with grass or slick dirt, once you obligate it might not stop until you hit something or reach the bottom. Just a safety aspect to think about. I would Pay the $65 in a heartbeat! Good luck and hope this helps.

[69GWC]

Used to haul a water tank that was 475g and at 7lbs a gallon thats around 3,300 lbs (or is it 8lbs a gallon) but it would have handle much more then that.
Older 3/4tons sure could carry alot with little problems.
Posted via Mobile Device

[long69]

about four trips at maybe 1 gallon a trip = say $20 (sure its less but might be more) that makes delivery = $45. do it your self 4 trips just unloading 1 spot right at the truck maybe 3 hours including drive time. to me it makes sense to have it delivered. but i know if i were in your situation i would more than likely go pick it up over a few weekends. what i don't like about deliveries is waiting for them.

[sboris]

A little reminder to guys with c20s with coils reading this, know your truck. If there is any rust on the trailing arms, don't get too ballsy with it. Didn't think mine looked too bad, but 1800 # over a bumpy drive, snapped both trailing arms in half, sheared brake lines, snapped torsion bar, drive shaft kinked etc... NOT GOOD. Shock was bent like a horse shoe, tires went forward into the quarters. I was backing to a pile at the landfill. Bad day..
Posted via Mobile Device

[no_rice]

damn near 2.some odd tons of roofing goodies in the back of my 08 2500 dmax... it would still get out of its own way, but it sure squatted the ass end...

[steves1967]

My cab-over camper weighed in at 4486 lbs. Only time in the trucks life that it sat level! 71 C-20 with factory leaf springs....

[Lattimer]

Regardless of whether your truck can do the job or not, for $65, I would not shovel that much dirt out of a pickup.

I used to try to improvise ways to do things myself and save a few pennies. Its was sometimes a cost thing, and other times a matter of principal. I felt I had to prove I could do anything and everything.

I'm a bit more mature now, and I evaluate things much differently. Furniture, mulch, topsoil, etc. gets delivered. Just because I can do it with my truck or trailer, doesn't mean its a wise plan.

I look at it this way-----could somebody pay me the $65 to do this for them with what I have available for the job? If the answer is yes, I do it myself. If the answer is no, I just pay to have it done. The older I get, the more jobs I am paying others to do for me.