Weight Concerns!
 

Okay folks, I've just been presented with a problem. I've a small deck building project I need to attend to, and have discovered I'll have to haul the lumber/materials myself (my dad's van won't be making the trip, which I had planned on using before, dammit). I can save on buying materials in my home state (Oregon; no tax, etc.), but the building site is about a 600 mile trip.

Anyway, as said, this isn't a huge project, but I will have to haul a butt load of lumber, and I think it'll be short enough to fit in the car with the back seats folded down. Which brings me to the main question: How much weight can the 3rd Gen. Pro handle? It's listed in the manual, I know (which I don't have with me right now), but I wondered if anyone thinks it's safe to maybe go a bit over the limit. It's stock suspension; no mods (2001 model year).

I would compromise and just buy the lumber locally, but I need to treat it for outdoor protection first and allow it to dry. I'll only be on site for 4 days, so I won't have time to let it dry out if I bought it and treated it there. Not having that van really screwed up my plans... :doh:

So I'm hopeful I can overcome my two concerns:

1. Getting it to fit in the car in the first place
and
2. The car being able to handle the weight

Thanks for your input, all!

I'm not sure how to answer your question, but Good-Luck :)