It's been a few years since I hauled topsoil in my truck. I am fairly certain I used to haul 1 cu yard with no issue. However, the place I just went to told me that I could not do that because it weighs about 2500lbs/yrd. After making two trips, I went to Google to try and verify this. I found very conflicting information.

A 1 cuft bag of topsoil at Lowes is marked 40lbs:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Timberline-40-lb-Top-Soil/999973086
27 of these (1 cu yrd) would be 1080lbs.

However, there are 10 websites like this that list 1 cu yrd of topsoil/dirt at around 2000-2300lbs.

https://www.thecalculatorsite.com/articles/units/how-much-cubic-yard-weigh.php

I guess the question is: Can you haul a yard of fairly dry topsoil in a 1/2 ton full size truck? I thought I used to do this with no issue. Thanks in advance.

That lowes bag isn't dirt...it has a ton of bark in it...hence why it weighs 50% of what dirt would.

Photo from link:

That's a very good point. Probably more like ground up pallets......

Bonfire97 said:

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That's a very good point. Probably more like ground up pallets......

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Look up the payload of your truck. I wouldn't be too concerned if you load it up more than that number...I've personally gone higher. I just make sure I don't go a long distance and go slow since braking is reduced.

6x12 uhaul trailer is $30 a day. WAY cheaper than the potential damage to truck suspension.

My 99f150 single cab struggled a bit hauling half yard.

Update: Well, I did the haul over lunch with 1 yard in there. Truck was sitting on the axle even with load up front as best I could get it. I drove slowly and only drove 5 miles. However, I wouldn't recommend it. Truck is 14 years old so I figured I'd try it. I certainly wouldn't do it with a newer one.

1 cu yard weighs around 1100 lbs

The real answer is that it depends because weight/mass is a matter of volume and density.

Two different soil types with different densities yield two different weights for the same volume. A compacted soil also has a higher density than non-compacted even if they're the same soil type.

Also, you need to take into account moisture content. Dry soil weighs less than wet soil.

agnerd said:

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6x12 uhaul trailer is $30 a day. WAY cheaper than the potential damage to truck suspension.

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This is how I haul. I used one to jail a couple yards of pea gravel and about a ton of flagstone and other block. It helps that the Uhaul place is right next door to the landscaping place.

I own a dump trailer business in College Station if you're located in the area. $100 delivery charge for me to go to All American or wherever you order the dirt from and I'll dump it right where you want it. Texags price

https://www.aggielanddumpsters.com/

Compacted dirt has a density of about 95 - 110 lbs/ CF. There is no way dirt put in your truck has more than 50% compaction, so id guess its around 1350 lbs at most.