Lengthwise and low
A log laid crosswise on top of other cargo has two bad futures: it rolls off the side, or it slides into the cab. Lay logs lengthwise, tight against the cab, stacked only as high as the bed rails and no higher. The rails are not a suggestion. A log above them is uncontained on the sides. Strap the stack at two points to rated anchors, with the straps truly tight. A loose strap looks used and does nothing when a round log starts to turn. Put the largest logs on the bottom. A small log under a large one is a roller. Bark and mud make the pile heavier and slicker. Knock off what you can at home so the stack sits flat.
The round shape is the hazard
Even a strapped log can rotate inside a strap if the strap is on the smooth bark and the load vibrates. A second strap, and a neighbor log that blocks the roll, matter more than cranking one strap until the hardware bends. Do not rely on the tailgate alone. A tailgate is a door, not a cargo net, and a log that creeps will bend it or ride up over it. If a log is longer than the bed, you have an overhang to secure and flag under your road rules, and you should think about cutting it at home instead if you can do that safely. A long log changes how the truck turns. Leave more room. This is the haul. Whether the site calls the wood organics is something you confirm before the straps go on.
Unload from the top, one at a time
Set the brake and loosen one strap while a second person stands clear, not in the drop zone. Roll the top log off by hand if you can do it without standing in front of it. Do not dump the bed by accelerating and braking. Logs dumped that way bounce in directions you do not pick. If a strap cut into the bark and seized, cut the strap, not the person holding the log. Replace that strap later. Check the cab glass and the tailgate before you leave the bay. A crack you did not have in the driveway is a log that moved, and the next trip needs a lower stack.
Before you go
- Lay logs lengthwise against the cab, largest on the bottom, no higher than the rails.
- Strap the stack in two places so a round log cannot rotate free.
- Do not use the tailgate as the only stop, and flag any real overhang.
- Unload one log at a time with a person standing clear of the drop.
A single crosswise log resting above the rails on top of a loose pile of branches.
Questions people ask
Can I stand short cookies on end?
A short round standing on end will fall over at the first corner unless it is boxed or strapped to something solid. Lengthwise is the steadier default.
Do bed liners hold logs?
A liner protects the paint and adds little grip on a round, muddy log. Straps and a tight stack are what hold it.
Search Dumpmapper by ZIP code or city, then call the site before you load the truck. Hours and accepted materials change.