How is riprap size chosen for a project?

It's matched to the water velocity and slope it needs to resist — faster-moving water or steeper slopes need larger, heavier stone to avoid being washed out. Engineers typically size riprap based on flow calculations for serious drainage or streambank work.

Can riprap be installed without heavy equipment?

Small quantities can be hand-placed, but riprap projects of any real size typically require an excavator or skid steer to position stones of this weight accurately and safely.

How much Riprap (2"–6") can a half-ton truck carry?

A typical half-ton truck with a 1,500 lb payload can safely carry about 0.57 cubic yards of Riprap (2"–6").

How many cubic yards per ton of Riprap (2"–6")?

Riprap (2"–6") weighs 2,650 lbs per cubic yard, so one ton (2,000 lbs) equals approximately 0.75 cubic yards.

How Much Does Riprap (2"–6") Weigh?

Large angular stone (typically 2"–6") used for erosion control along slopes, streams, and culverts. Weight varies by stone type; limestone riprap runs ~2,500 lbs/cu yd, granite riprap ~2,700–2,800 lbs/cu yd.

Riprap is large, angular stone — typically ranging from 2 to 6 inches or bigger — used specifically to armor ground against moving water, not to fill or surface an area the way smaller gravel does. It's placed rather than spread: pieces are set by hand or machine to interlock and form a stable, erosion-resistant layer along the stone's natural angular faces.

Source rock varies by region, with limestone and granite both common, and the choice affects both weight and durability — granite riprap tends to hold up longer under constant water flow than softer limestone. Because the pieces are large and irregular, no two loads look identical.

What Riprap (2"–6") Is Used For

Slope and embankment erosion control
Streambank and shoreline stabilization
Culvert inlet and outlet protection
Drainage channel and ditch lining
Retaining wall and foundation drainage backing

Weight Facts

Weight per cubic yard: 2,650 lbs
Weight per cubic yard: 2,650 lbs
Weight per cubic foot: 98 lbs
Weight per ton (yards): 0.75 cu yd
Category: Aggregate & Gravel

How Much Riprap (2"–6") Can Each Truck Carry?

Truck	Payload	Safe max (cubic yards)	Full bed wt.
Ford Maverick	1,500 lbs	0.57	3,268 lbs ⚠
Honda Ridgeline	1,500 lbs	0.57	3,327 lbs ⚠
Chevrolet Colorado (2nd Gen)	1,400 lbs	0.53	4,112 lbs ⚠
Chevrolet Colorado (3rd Gen)	1,500 lbs	0.57	4,112 lbs ⚠
GMC Canyon (2nd Gen)	1,400 lbs	0.53	4,112 lbs ⚠
GMC Canyon (3rd Gen)	1,450 lbs	0.55	4,112 lbs ⚠
Ford Ranger	1,560 lbs	0.59	4,250 lbs ⚠
Nissan Frontier	1,160 lbs	0.44	3,936 lbs ⚠
Toyota Tacoma	1,100 lbs	0.42	3,376 lbs ⚠
Jeep Gladiator	1,200 lbs	0.45	3,484 lbs ⚠
Ford F-150	1,525 lbs	0.58	6,115 lbs ⚠
Chevrolet Silverado 1500	1,600 lbs	0.60	7,037 lbs ⚠
GMC Sierra 1500	1,500 lbs	0.57	7,037 lbs ⚠
RAM 1500	1,240 lbs	0.47	6,036 lbs ⚠
Toyota Tundra	1,485 lbs	0.56	6,439 lbs ⚠
Nissan Titan	1,460 lbs	0.55	5,850 lbs ⚠
Ford F-250 Super Duty	3,000 lbs	1.13	7,705 lbs ⚠
Ford F-350 Super Duty (SRW)	4,000 lbs	1.51	7,705 lbs ⚠
Ford F-350 Super Duty (DRW)	5,500 lbs	2.08	7,705 lbs ⚠
Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD	3,200 lbs	1.21	8,195 lbs ⚠
GMC Sierra 2500HD	3,200 lbs	1.21	8,195 lbs ⚠
Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD (DRW)	5,700 lbs	2.15	8,195 lbs ⚠
GMC Sierra 3500HD (DRW)	5,700 lbs	2.15	8,195 lbs ⚠
RAM 2500	1,950 lbs	0.74	7,332 lbs ⚠
RAM 3500 (DRW)	6,280 lbs	2.37	7,332 lbs ⚠

⚠ = full bed weight exceeds truck payload. Safe max is by payload rating, not bed volume.

Hauling Riprap (2"–6"): What to Know

Riprap is heavy and dense-packed, running around 2,650 lbs per cubic yard for a mixed load, though granite riprap can push toward 2,700-2,800 lbs per yard while limestone tends to sit closer to 2,500. Given the large individual piece size, riprap loads settle unevenly in a truck bed compared to smaller gravel, so weight can concentrate in fewer contact points — spread the load and don't assume a partial yard is automatically a light one, since a handful of oversized stones can weigh as much as several buckets of smaller aggregate.

Buying & Ordering Riprap (2"–6")

Riprap is sold by the ton, often in specified size classes (light, medium, heavy) matched to the water flow or slope it needs to withstand, so tell your supplier the application — a culvert outlet and a lakeshore need different stone sizes for effective erosion control. Because it's usually placed rather than dumped and spread, ask about delivery logistics for machine placement if you're covering a large slope, since hand-placing riprap of this size across a big area isn't practical.

Calculate Your Load

Truck

Material

Quantity

cubic yard

“Fill Truck” sets quantity to whichever comes first: payload weight limit or bed volume.

Estimated weight2,650 lbsTruck payload rating1,500 lbsLoad as % of payload177%Load as % of bed volume81%

⚠ Overloaded — 1,150 lbs over capacity

This load exceeds the published payload rating and may damage the truck's suspension, frame, tires, and brakes. Reduce quantity or use a higher-rated truck.

Standard AWD EcoBoost payload. Tremor drops to ~1,140 lbs; the 2025+ Lobo off-road trim is lower still (~1,045 lbs). Check door-jamb sticker.

2 trips needed with your Ford Maverick

Quantity per trip0.50 cubic yardsWeight per trip1,325 lbs

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Riprap (2"–6") — Frequently Asked Questions

How is riprap size chosen for a project?: It's matched to the water velocity and slope it needs to resist — faster-moving water or steeper slopes need larger, heavier stone to avoid being washed out. Engineers typically size riprap based on flow calculations for serious drainage or streambank work.
Can riprap be installed without heavy equipment?: Small quantities can be hand-placed, but riprap projects of any real size typically require an excavator or skid steer to position stones of this weight accurately and safely.
How much does Riprap (2"–6") weigh per cubic yard?: Riprap (2"–6") weighs approximately 2,650 lbs per cubic yard. Large angular stone (typically 2"–6") used for erosion control along slopes, streams, and culverts. Weight varies by stone type; limestone riprap runs ~2,500 lbs/cu yd, granite riprap ~2,700–2,800 lbs/cu yd.
How much Riprap (2"–6") can a half-ton truck carry?: A typical half-ton truck with a 1,500 lb payload can safely carry about 0.57 cubic yards of Riprap (2"–6").
How many cubic yards per ton of Riprap (2"–6")?: Riprap (2"–6") weighs 2,650 lbs per cubic yard, so one ton (2,000 lbs) equals approximately 0.75 cubic yards.

Related Material Weights

Gravel, pea (washed) — 2,500 lbs/yd³
Gravel, crushed stone (#57) — 2,410 lbs/yd³
Gravel, river rock — 2,600 lbs/yd³
Gravel, limestone — 2,610 lbs/yd³
Gravel, recycled concrete (RCA) — 2,410 lbs/yd³
Gravel, crusher run (DGA) — 2,700 lbs/yd³
Decomposed granite (DG) — 2,500 lbs/yd³
Lava rock / scoria — 1,650 lbs/yd³

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