Do not fill every foothold
People fall when the only place to stand is a loose bag, a tire, or a wet sheet of drywall. When you load, leave a strip of bare bed floor at the tailgate or a clear spot on the ground beside the truck where your feet will be. That strip can be narrow. It has to be real. If the bed is completely full, unload the first layer from the ground, reaching in, rather than climbing on top of the cargo. A high pile you have to summit is a pile that should have been two trips. Wear shoes that can grip. The bay floor is slick.
Tailgate as a platform only when it is shut and strong
A latched tailgate can be a place to set a bag on the way down. It is not a diving board and not a step for a person if the manufacturer did not intend it as a step. Many gates are not built to hold a standing adult plus a sofa. Stand on the ground or on a proper step. If you must be in the bed, stand on the floor you left clear, with the gate latched, and hand items down to a second adult. Do not jump off the bumper with a bag in your arms. You cannot see the nail you are about to land on.
Keep the landing zone clear too
The ground behind the truck should be empty before the first item comes off. A bag tossed at your own feet is a trip on the next step. Set items to the side the attendant named, then step, then take the next one. If a spotter tells you to move the truck closer so you are not carrying items across a lane, do that instead of making a longer walk with no place to put your feet. When the bed is empty, you should still have been able to stand safely for the last piece. That is the test of how you loaded.
Before you go
- Leave a clear patch of bed floor or plan to unload from the ground.
- Do not stand on bags, tires, or an unlatched tailgate.
- Set items to the side so the landing zone stays clear.
- Move the truck closer instead of carrying pieces across the lane.
Climbing on top of loose trash bags to reach one more box at the cab.
Questions people ask
What if the bed is too full and I am alone?
Take items from the back edge while standing on the ground. If you cannot reach the front without climbing the pile, remove enough to rebuild a foothold or make a second trip.
Are bed steps worth using?
Yes if they are part of the truck and still clear of mud. Use the step, then the ground. Do not skip the step with an armload.
Search Dumpmapper by ZIP code or city, then call the site before you load the truck. Hours and accepted materials change.