Hey guys. Not a repair question - I need some advice. I'm going to be moving a pretty hefty gun safe and it will fit in the back of my 95 S10 Blazer (4 door), but I'm wondering about the load capacity.

Safe is 850 pounds

Door jamb says vehicle load capacity is 1039 pounds (471kg).

Does it matter how that weight is distributed in the vehicle? Will it bust the rear axle or damage the leaf springs if most of the weight is sitting toward the rear? My body weight + the safe is running really close or slightly over the load capacity, so I'm guessing I should take it easy on the drive (all paved roads and highway).

Also, if anybody knows or has done this, should the tailgate be removed to put this thing in? Seems like almost 900 pounds on that plastic housing isn't going to work too well.

Thanks

 

Rent or borrow a trailer

 

It would run me $550 to rent a trailer from U-haul one-way. I'm buying the safe for $500, so that doesn't sound like a very good idea if I can get it into the backend of my truck for free.

 

I'm sure it would handle the weight once it's in, but you'd need a forklift to get it in and out as the safe would most likely break the support cables and or buckle the hinges. It may be worth borrowing a truck for this. $.02

 

1039 pounds is the capacity when it was new. After 18 years, $550 for a U Haul would be cheaper than suspension repairs

 

Heh. Good point.

I'm thinking I'm either going to buy a cheap trailer or rent an open top one and strap this thing down like there's no tomorrow. A lot of the cost of the previous quote I got from U-haul ($550) was for a closed top unit that can accommodate the height of the safe, and I'm thinking I'll just get an opened top one instead and cover the safe with tarp or plastic.

The utility trailers only run $15 a day and I have a 3500lbs tow setup. Also, having a low trailer with a loading ramp will probably make up for the pain the back that lifting it into the bed would cause.

Thanks guys.

 

A rental would be the way to go because it would be just about impossible to get it in and out of the Blazer without breaking your back
the trailers they rent here have tons of tie down places also

a pallet truck and sheets of plywood will really help you out if moving it over a lawn or other soft surface