Rocking a Load - hauling 1,200 lbs of rocks

[JJMM]

After 25 years driving a GMC Sierra and never thinking twice about hauling rocks, dirt, trees, etc., I had some reservations when the Commander in Chief asked me to bring in a load of river rock. I checked the load limit in the manual and headed down to the landscape materials supplier. With 1,200 lbs. of rocks in the back, the Little Truck That Could covered the 9 miles home at 43.7mpg and, while I could feel the weight, there was no appreciable effect on driving. I took this photo after unloading about a quarter of the rocks. Mission accomplished and my '25 Lariat Hybrid is ready for the next command from HQ.

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[Glen Baker LLC]

It probably rode real nice

 

[themartymac]

Good to hear. I traded in my Ford Explorer for the Maverick largely because I missed the bed, and want to haul my heavy ADV motorcycle (~600lbs) plus camping gear for some long distance trips. Easily in the 1000lb+ range once all the supplies are packed in. I'm curious to see how the truck will do with this type of task.

 

[Prickly Pear]

Did you hand load the rocks or just let the loader drop them in?

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Good to hear tho

 

[JJMM]

Did you hand load the rocks or just let the loader drop them in?

Great question! The yard guy used a Bobcat with a front-end loader and dropped the rocks into the bed. That's why I laid down a heavy tarp. Wanted to be sure the bed light and exposed metal was all protected. Worked perfectly!

 

[KenR]

Dent the bed? A few inches of sand-dirt or sheet of plywood would help protect the bed from dents.

 

[Tbone289]

Good to hear. I traded in my Ford Explorer for the Maverick largely because I missed the bed, and want to haul my heavy ADV motorcycle (~600lbs) plus camping gear for some long distance trips. Easily in the 1000lb+ range once all the supplies are packed in. I'm curious to see how the truck will do with this type of task.

I drive with loads like this fairly frequently. I think you'll find that the most noticeable effect will be increased understeer. I improved mine by adding Air Lift bags to the rear springs and a stiffer rear swaybar.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Great question! The yard guy used a Bobcat with a front-end loader and dropped the rocks into the bed. That's why I laid down a heavy tarp. Wanted to be sure the bed light and exposed metal was all protected. Worked perfectly!

Forklift bag available at HD, LOWES, ETC can be used to set bulk loads with forklift into bed without dropping (subject to fork driver of course ).

 

[JJMM]

That would be a terrific solution!

 

[JJMM]

Dent the bed? A few inches of sand-dirt or sheet of plywood would help protect the bed from dents.

The heavy tarp did the job. I don't yet trust that the bed liner is enough to resist dents from a load like this but it did its job. Also, I have to chill a bit and accept that the truck is doing exactly what I bought it for. Very happy with the increased confidence this trip instilled.

 

[rlhdweman]

I just hauled 1200lbs of bagged stones for someone yesterday, truck did fine definitely a smoother ride, the steering was a bit squirrely though.

 

[Rexus99]

Just one question. Did your commander in chief help you get your rocks off?

 

[Rparry]

I recently carried about the same amount in gravel in my Mav. I have a thick rubber mat in the bed and made a three sided OSB protection for the edge of the box. I have a charger for my PowerStation that I did not want gravel in. Worked a charm.

One thing I noticed was when I used the tow haul with my Hybrid the "transmission" acted like it had multiple gears? Is this normal for Tow/Haul? It makes no sense to me, increase engine RPM to maximum power for the hill and leave it there, let the eCVT and the electric traction motor figure it out from there.

BP

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I recently carried about the same amount in gravel in my Mav. I have a thick rubber mat in the bed and made a three sided OSB protection for the edge of the box. I have a charger for my PowerStation that I did not want gravel in. Worked a charm.

One thing I noticed was when I used the tow haul with my Hybrid the "transmission" acted like it had multiple gears? Is this normal for Tow/Haul? It makes no sense to me, increase engine RPM to maximum power for the hill and leave it there, let the eCVT and the electric traction motor figure it out from there.

BP

Maybe faking gears by increasing amps by stepping changes instead of gradually(?).

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