There you go, got it home alright without boards. I went and got some boards today and reloaded it. I don't actually think the boards do anything to help as the tailgate appears to be slightly raised over the bed, and for it to even out the load it would need to be level. Plus the boards and tires sit almost right on top of the Step handle.

Debating getting a new platinum with a 6.5" bed or maybe a F250, don't think I trust that much weight on the tail gate for 1k+ mile trips.

On a side note, did haul 2 cubic yards of topsoil in the bed today and the truck handled it like a champ. I wouldn't recommend it for long trips, but only had to go 5 miles home with it. Not sure what weight that came in at, but it had to have been close to 2 tons lol. It was squating pretty good.

Jason