From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Omaha, Ne.

I'm considering using a friend's truck but I'm worried about damaging it because it's brand new. I may be renting one. But still, is it normal to get dents or forklift damage at the weigh offs. I bet these guys can get a hurry. And I would feel horrible if my friends truck got damaged. I guess I'm looking for encouragement by people who have been to many layoffs without damage.

9/11/2014 8:28:13 PM

Concord, CA.

Go rent a Home Depot rent-a-truck. $19.95 per hour, first hour is free. Get weighed first, then leave to get the truck back ASAP! Read the weigh-off results here.

9/11/2014 8:32:41 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I see from your diary that you are counting down the days to Anamosa. If you are coming here and John the Pumpkin Master is running the forklift, you don't need to worry. He has been doing this forever and hasn't dropped one yet. With big pumpkins they use the lifting ring to get the pumpkin off the truck and a short distance to the scale. Loading up they just move it on the pallet, but John is very careful and we have people to help watch out for him. I haven't seen any damage yet, but there always a chance when moving something so heavy. The high school wrestling does any "grunt work" and we have plenty of experienced people supervising. My son Jacob and I usually help out and we will keep an eye out for you.

9/11/2014 9:05:35 PM

Western NY

The big thing is to put the pumpkin fairly snug to the cab so it doesn't hit the cab if you have to slam on the brakes.

The worst hazard is usually loading it in the patch, the weighoff sites have always been top notch running equipment in my experience.

9/11/2014 10:35:57 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I agree with Andy. The pumpkin in the truck is the biggest hazard. You growers than don't strap them down, and use straw bales are crazy. My F-150 had 818lbs of pumpkin come loose, and hit the straw bales. If those were not there, we would have been sitting with the pumpkin. Had an emergency stop when another driver pulled out at 55 mph.

9/12/2014 7:27:38 AM

Maine

Would your friend consider hauling a trailer with his truck? You can rent a trailer fairly cheap from U-Haul and if something goes wrong your friends truck will be spared. you may want to get the insurance.

9/12/2014 7:37:20 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Isn't this just common sense for anyone who owns a truck? If not, they must not use the bed.

9/12/2014 7:51:50 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Yup, Got plenty of mementos from loading. We slide them to the center pushing up against the straw bail, then strap down.... the bigger they are, the harder they are to load. Unloading fairly easy. But some dingZ do happen......

9/12/2014 10:16:54 AM

Cornelius, Oregon

One way to tell a long time grower from a newbie is how rounded the bed of their truck has become from pumpkin truckin'.

9/12/2014 12:27:44 PM

Ltb

the pumpkin went heavy and broke your truck

9/14/2014 10:17:33 PM