I was wondering about the legality or safety to haul a plastic 275 gallon tote full of clean wvo on a trip in the bed of my f250. I have used the find function but had no luck.

Safety will mostly relate to how you secure and where you locate the tote in the bed as well as remaining within the load rating of your vehicle. Obviously you do not want to exceed the load rating..but placing the load too far back can so significantly effect handling that emergency maneuvers may not be possible or worse..the handling may degrade so far that the vehicle may not be stable in normal driving.

As for legality...
It may vary from state to state.
However I know of no state (possibly with the exceptions of California) where simply hauling a tote of WVO is not legal...as long as you are doing it safely.

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Originally posted by harry3:
I was wondering about the legality or safety to haul a plastic 275 gallon tote full of clean wvo on a trip in the bed of my f250. I have used the find function but had no luck.

The weight of a full 275 gal tote of oil is between 2,200-2,300 lbs. This is probably as much weight as the truck can safely handle in the bed as long as it's situated over the rear axle and strapped down securely. Cover it with a tarp and cross your fingers. I've carried 180 gallons in the bed with absolutely no problems (2 x 55 gal drums + 70 VO aux tank).

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This is probably as much weight as the truck can safely handle in the bed as long as it's situated over the rear axle and strapped down securely.

I would advise placing weight as close to the cab as possible rather than over the rear axle. The front susension in most heavy pickups is engineered to carry some of the weight in the bed. And at least in my experience overall handling is much better if you place heavy loads closer to the vehicles "center".

I rolled 45 miles last week with a full 330 gallon tote in the back of my F250. No problems. It felt like I had 2500 lbs in the back but no problems.

Thanks for all the info. I once went on a trip with two 55's but the way I transferred the oil was kind of a hassle. With the 275 I will reduce off the two “ valve to 3/8" pipe to a small block chevy pump (12 volt scooter motor), to an existing 3/8" inlet on my 40 gallon tank which also has a ball valve on it. I will have a push button switch in the cab to run the pump. The 275 tote should also be easier to secure down to the truck than the barrels. I should get at least 3000 miles pulling my 13' Scamp camper.

E]A 275 gal tote is a little too much for my needs ( capacity, bed area ). Are there smaller easily available surplus containers like the IBC 275 gal totes with dimensions less than the 48” x 40” base ? Otherwise, I am considering setting up a 2 X 55 or 3X 30 poly barrel "trip tank" arrangement in the bed of my F250 . I might even dispose of empty barrels during the return trip to gain some cargo space . This thread gives a me starting point . - Thanks

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Thanks for all the info. I once went on a trip with two 55's but the way I transferred the oil was kind of a hassle. With the 275 I will reduce off the two “ valve to 3/8" pipe to a small block chevy pump (12 volt scooter motor), to an existing 3/8" inlet on my 40 gallon tank which also has a ball valve on it. I will have a push button switch in the cab to run the pump. The 275 tote should also be easier to secure down to the truck than the barrels. I should get at least 3000 miles pulling my 13' Scamp camper.

[QUOTE]harry3[/QUOT

This message has been edited. Last edited by: rkpatt,

Haul it in the extreme front of the bed as close to the cab as you can. If you have to make an emergency stop, it will slide forward. If you are turning while braking hard, it could possibly slide and when it hits the side of the truck box, could put you out of control. If you want to know the damage a sliding tote can cause, ask my father. A few years back, he was hauling 1 tote of water on routes. The car in front of him stopped, when he slammed on the brakes to stop, the tote slid and tried to come into the cab of the truck thru the back window. That mistake cost him $8,000. I agree with Dana, you want/need the weight in front of the rear axle.
3 times a month, I load up my 2500HD with 540 gallons of water (4500 lbs.) which tips the scales at 9200 lbs. (the GVWR for the vehicle is 9200 lbs.)These are installed on the truck so they are "locked down and low as possible"

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If you have to make an emergency stop, it will slide forward. If you are turning while braking hard, it could possibly slide and when it hits the side of the truck box, could put you out of control.

Never rely on gravity/friction to secure a load.
Use ratchet straps to secure a tote, keep them tight, and hook them to something that will be capable of resisting the force an emergency maneuver will place on the straps.

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I am considering setting up a 2 X 55 or 3X 30 poly barrel "trip tanker" arrangement in the bed of my F250 .

The poly barrels are the least expensive option I have found.
In cold temps you may have to loop a bit of coolant line under them to keep the WVO liquid. I just cut a U shaped groove in blue foam 3/4 as deep as the hose diameter and glue the loop in the groove with construction adhesive. A few tees and ball valves and you can direct hot coolant to all or none easily. The weight of the full barrel compresses the hose slightly for more surface contact/heat transfer.

I have also used exhaust heat for this (with a "cubee trailer" and my Mercedes) but coolant is cheaper and easier in the back of a pickup.

By law you can carry up to 1000 gal of liquid with out a CDL, And as long as you are under the GVW of the f250

I've hauled close to 9oo gallons before.