What if the weight limit was increased to the point where all but the strongest characters would have to be encumbered in order to pick up a single barrel? You could definitely use barrels, but you'd be slow as hell.
See I see the logic in this. Honestly, I have never even considered toting around giant barrels. There should be a major weight issue in doing that. I mean the average weight of a quarter barrel of beer is around 87lbs, and that is not even as large as these barrels filled with oil or pitch or whatever it is.
