Tractor Supply Kimmels Coal Is It Worth It?

My problem wasnt sag, it was sway. Seemed like the ass end was swaying. That was with sub par tires. New tires now. Dont know if that could have something to do with it.

Stoker6268 wrote:My problem wasnt sag, it was sway. Seemed like the ass end was swaying. That was with sub par tires. New tires now. Dont know if that could have something to do with it.

Yes sir, tires and air pressure in the tires both will have a lot to do with it. Add an extra 5 lbs. of air when hauling heavy, it will help a lot. Thin sidewalls on tires will cause sway also.

Yeah they were original tires. Looked kinda cheap and were getting worn. I did get 74k miles out of them though!
Might try a ton again and will pump up the pressure.
Thanks.

I am running load range E for summer sneakers with a 10 ply rating on my Sierra 1500. No soft sidewalls, but ride is a little rougher and I am not even running 80 PSI!

2001Sierra wrote:I am running load range E for summer sneakers with a 10 ply rating on my Sierra 1500. No soft sidewalls, but ride is a little rougher and I am not even running 80 PSI!

Just remember,those wheels on your F150 or 1500 are NOT made for 80 psi !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This may be considered an off topic post,but I am concerned about the danger of 16" wheels on the 1/2 ton pickups having 10 ply tires mounted on them. The rims on the 1/2 ton probably have a max psi rating of 40-45 ,not 70-80 We don't need members hurt from stupidity/lack of tire/wheel knowledge or have readers getting the bright idea to turn their 1/2 ton into a Super Duty truck. BE CAREFUL, BE SMART,BE SAFE,BE HAPPY,BE WARM THIS WINTER AT HOME WITH YOUR FAMILY.Sometimes the cheap way isn't the cheapest way.

windyhill well said and penned what I was thinking as too. Everyone be safe first and most important.

Stoker6268 wrote:My problem wasnt sag, it was sway. Seemed like the ass end was swaying. That was with sub par tires. New tires now. Dont know if that could have something to do with it.

Timbrens reduce sway and sag. If your stock and want a strong 1/2 ton within reason they are a good deal. I don't know if a 1/2 ton could handle a ton of coal in the bed. I never owned one. Have had 3/4 to 1 tons my whole life. But Timbrens have a niche to help carry loads on the heavier side.

I also agree with Windy that one doesn't want to overdo things. After all , we are talking about a 1/2 ton truck.

With that said, one ton of coal isn't too much for a 1/2 ton truck. I've hauled that in every 1/2 ton truck I've ever owned. I usually haul bulk, so load placement doesn't come into play. When hualing pellets for my sister in my old Dodge Dakota with 15" tires I would put 40lbs. of air in the rear tires, and center the 1 ton skid over the rear axle. I did install extra helper springs on that truck. They were coil springs that I purchased from JC Whitney soon after purchasing the truck. They leveled the truck out nicely.

My current truck, a 2013 Ram 1500 comes equiped with 20 inch rims, I do not add extra air to the tires to haul a ton of coal. I have not added helper springs or anything to it yet. The back of the truck does drop about 1.5 inches when loaded. I travel 22 miles one way with the coal and I experience no sway or other ill effects with it.

One other safety precaution that needs to be mentioned for those contemplating transporting their own coal.

Overloading a truck isn't just about overloading the suspension and tires. The difference in some truck's braking systems being able to handle controlling a vehicle at factory recommended maximum load, verses running 100% over weight, can be huge.

The half ton van I had would stop ok when fully loaded, but coming down long hills here in CNY - where they put all the stop signs and lights at the bottom of hills - can get exciting.

My next van was a true one ton with braking system to handle a full load, plus a trailer load. The differences in emergency situation braking was pray you can stop in time with the 1/2 ton - while with the one ton, stopping in time was not the problem, not planting your nose in the windshield was the problem !

Paul

I went with 10 ply not to increase load capacity, and run at max tire pressure of 45. I agree with safety, and loads are determined by suspension and axle capacities. I like the tread patterns available with load range E , a little more aggressive and the sidewall thickness is more durable off road when hauling my dump trailer, and going to the scrap yard.

2001Sierra wrote:I went with 10 ply not to increase load capacity, and run at max tire pressure of 45. I agree with safety, and loads are determined by suspension and axle capacities. I like the tread patterns available with load range E , a little more aggressive and the sidewall thickness is more durable off road when hauling my dump trailer, and going to the scrap yard.

The other side of this is that with 10 ply tires running only 45 psi,if you are driving at 70 mph for long duration with a decent load on the truck,the 10 ply tires will tend to overheat as they are technically under-inflated,this can lead to the tires blowing apart or simply coming apart from the heat.

Sunny Boy wrote:One other safety precaution that needs to be mentioned for those contemplating transporting their own coal.

Overloading a truck isn't just about overloading the suspension and tires. The difference in some truck's braking systems being able to handle controlling a vehicle at factory recommended maximum load, verses running 100% over weight, can be huge.

The half ton van I had would stop ok when fully loaded, but coming down long hills here in CNY - where they put all the stop signs and lights at the bottom of hills - can get exciting.

My next van was a true one ton with braking system to handle a full load, plus a trailer load. The differences in emergency situation braking was pray you can stop in time with the 1/2 ton - while with the one ton, stopping in time was not the problem, not planting your nose in the windshield was the problem !

Paul

We live in a sue-happy time,a time when liabilities are high on anything we do .These days if there is a fatality wreck,the vehicles will be scrutinized closely,including the weight capabilities & whether or not it was exceeded therefore making the "overloaded"vehicle liable.

Why not just buy the correct rim rated for the tire pressure or run tires made for the existing rim?

Just want to mention here in Pa. the State Police can usually spot an overloaded pickup. The front end up & rear end down are dead giveaways. I know a few folks who have been fined. I would'nt even try it with my wimpy S10 though I did haul bags last year because I had no bunker. 800 lbs was the max I hauled at a time. This year I am getting it bulk conveyed straight into my bunker.

Getting back to the OP I hope I don't have to wait long or not get my full order because all of you all buying up Kimmels as well. Lets keep it our secret.. Ha.. I had a guy here PM me once to tell me not to tell how nice Blazcek coal is. I bet some could guess who that might. I won't mention names..
After all I need it more then you guys...Just look at my Thermometer... It's common to get those temps here.