How do you transport sheet goods?

[Eric DeSilva]

Looking for ideas... a better way of transporting sheet goods. I've got a full size truck (RAM 2500), but it is only a 6' long bed, and the wheel wells interfere with the "floorspace." To date, I've been throwing some long 2x4s in the back and stacking sheet goods on them--one end of the 2x4 at the front end of the bed, other side resting on top of the tail gate, maybe 3 to 4 across. That has the benefit of being easy, but wondering if there is perhaps a more elegant solution someone's pioneered. I'm also about to transport some 4x10 sheets of drywall, and kind of wonder about the strength of my solution.

Anyone built a better rig? I was sort of thinking along the lines of a tilted over "L" where the edges would rest along the short leg and the flat sides on the long leg... Maybe 3 or four structures like that, all carriage bolted to 4x4s that ran the length of the bed and cantilevered out the back end of the truck? (So, if you were looking at the back of the truck, the short sides of the sheets would diagonal going from high to low left to right (or right to left).

Alternatively, maybe I should build something like what I've got, only flatter and designed to just clear the wheel wells. (So, if you were looking at the side of the truck, the long side of the sheets would diagonal high to low from the back of the bed to the front).

Ideas? Suggestions?

[Jeff Duncan]

I'm confused by your post, you say you have a full size truck but can't fit a 4 x 8 sheet in the bed? Something seems wrong there, I've driven mostly Ford and GMC trucks and the bed, even with a liner, always fits 50" between the wheelwells. Is there something else going on with your bed that won't allow you to fit them?
JeffD

[Jim Becker]

To use the truck bed with longer materials, a receiver hitch "extender" can be helpful. And if you indeed cannot fit between the wheel wells (unusual for a full sized truck even on a short bed), there are usually slots on the side that you can insert some 2x material to "raise the bed up above the wells for carrying materials. I had the receiver hitch extender (one from HFT, actually) when I had my Tundra. Now that I drive a Highlander Hybrid, I have a utility trailer that I use for carrying sheet goods and other oversize materials that cannot be safely carried inside the vehicle.

[Matt Meiser]

My Colorado has a nifty feature to hold the sheets level by moving the tailgate cables and a couple 2x4's between the bed sides as Jim describes. But if I have a lot to carry, I use my trailer.

[Doug Jones from Oregon]

40' curtain van. Makes unloading with the forklift from the side a breeze!

Doug

[Ben Cadotte]

I have a 1500 quad cab short bed, and do the same thing you do. For me it works just fine. Less chance of the sheets sliding out. When I worked at the lumber yard in college. I can't tell you how many people that loaded stuff in the back with the gate down. And then later hear they lost a couple sheets when it slide out. Especially OSB. That stuff is slicker than you know what. Had one guy with a duraliner in his truck, loaded a bunch of boards and sheet goods. He didn't even make it out of our parking lot before he lost it all. He even tied the stuff down.

[sullivan mcgriff]

doesn't the Dodge have pockets in the side of the bed that takes 2x4 or 2x6's to form a shelf so you can carry sheet goods and still have room below for other bits ?

[Dave Falkenstein]

I have a Chevvy Silverado with a short bed. If I have just a few sheets to carry, I do it the way you described. If I have a bigger load, I stack them on the floor of the bed with the tailgate left open. I run two pieces of rope across the ends of the material to keep it from sliding.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

1990 Toyota Pick 'em-up. It's the best wheelbarrow I ever had.
I stack sheet goods so they over lap the tail gate.

Every year I tell myself that I'm going to get me an F250 diesel 4wd put a locker in the rear, chip it, inject it with propane and nitrous and run a 6" SST exhaust.
(Woo Hoo)

And every damn year that Toyota refuses to break. It's been about 130-Thousand miles since it was new. It's had only one tune up, one set of new ball joints, one used rear end from the salvage yard (I smacked it in the ice) and maybe three oil changes.

Some day it has to break. Till then I stack the sheet stock so it over hangs the tailgate.

[Norman Pyles]

Eric, it sounds like you already have it figgered out. To me, simple is better.

[Eric DeSilva]

Dang... Jeff D. may have it right. I've always assumed a 4' wide sheet wouldn't fit in the back, but maybe I have bad parallax vision or something... Just googled specs on the truck and they say 51" wheel to wheel... If that is the case, it makes it kind of a no-brainer. Guess I can lay some 2x6s down to support the overhanging 4' of sheetrock and just make sure I run cam-locked webbing tie downs to keep it from sliding out the back.

No wonder my joints don't match up cleanly... I apparently can't eyeball anything worth a damn.

[Lance Norris]

doesn't the Dodge have pockets in the side of the bed that takes 2x4 or 2x6's to form a shelf so you can carry sheet goods and still have room below for other bits ?

I have a first year Dakota(1987) and it has pockets built into the sides of the bed just as described. Its made for 2x6s and then sheets of plywood lay above the wheelwells. Ive done this many times and it works great. I have a 6-1/2' bed and with the tailgate down, the total length is 8'. I just tie a rope to the front corner inside the bed and out over the end of the sheets and back to the other front corner, and then you can go 100 mph and nothing will fall out.:) I wish my bed was 8', then I could close the gate, but this works great. I always shake my head when I see an S-10 or Ranger, because I wonder if you can haul sheet goods like that with one of those trucks...?

[Bob Knodel]

I have a 1500 Chevy Silverado and I use a hitch extender for the longer stuff. You can pick one up at Harbor Freight for way less than you could make one for. Basically it inserts like a hitch stinger into your receiver and is the shape of an "L". The long end goes into the receiver and the short end goes up. There is another horizontol piece that slides over the short piece and is adjustible up and down and is what your stock lies on. I have used it maybe a hundred times and everybody asks me where I got it when I start to load up at Lowes. One thing to consider is that it makes it very easy to overload your truck and give it that "I'm competing in a tractor pull" look. I have also installed rear air bags in the truck so this has allevieated that for the most part. I'm at work so I dont have it with me but I will take photos when I get home.

Bob

[Mike Heidrick]

2006 Nissan Titan

Has enough space between the wheel wells for plywood sheet and I also have the sliding tailgate extender.

[Greg Hines, MD]

I drive an Avalanche. It holds a full sheet of plywood in the bed, when you drop the midgate, so that it is enclosed by the tailgate.

Doc

[Jeff Duncan]

Eric, you probably don't need the hitch extender, my F-150 has the 5-1/2'
bed and with the tailgate down it's about 92". No room for any extender to fit. I usually have my materials delivered, but when I do need to pick something up I just drop the gate, load her up and throw a rope around the back twice.

Cliff, I have bad news for you, if your waiting for your Toyota to break, you may be in for a long wait. My buddy used to drive an 87' and the engines can keep going until there's no body left:) I actually really like the look of the F250, but the 150 just had a much better ride and I really don't load her up or tow much.

JeffD

[Jim O'Dell]

Ford E-250 extended van. Full sheets fit inside with almost 3' to spare. I can get 12' 2X material inside with the doors closed. I have a platform built about 2' tall from the backs of the front seats to the tailgate. Bad weather don't bother me!! :D Jim.

[Tim Byars]

With a seat out and the back seats folded down, I can get full 4 x 8 sheets in my wife's Honda Odyssey. It's kind embarassing, actually...leaving my Tahoe at home and taking the minivan because it's so much easier...

[John Thompson]

2006 Dakota... sheet goods between the wheel-wheels with tail-gate closed. Stock up to 14' in center with tailgate closed so it tilts up.

I drilled two holes in the forward bed.. two on top of the forward bed wall and two on top of the read side panels. Bolted in 2 1/52" eye hooks along with the original hold-dwons. I just ratchet strap it all down as I don't care to open the tail-gate with stock on board.

Sarge..

[Ted Jay]

How do you transport sheet goods?............................................ ...

Why, like this of course.......:D Doesn't everybody?

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=88367&stc=1&d=1210634317

Somebody had to post it...!

[Bill Huber]

I always shake my head when I see an S-10 or Ranger, because I wonder if you can haul sheet goods like that with one of those trucks...?

Lance, I have an S-10 (2003) and it has places for 2x4s and I use it just like you and a carry 4x8 sheet goods all the time, now my gate is open and not closed but that is not a big deal.

[Jay Hart]

Who needs a pickup?

[Bob Knodel]

Who needs a pickup?

I hope you are only carrying 1 sheet at a time? I own a body shop and I have worked on quite a few cars that people have carried too much load on their roof/luggage racks. These things are made to carry luggage and skis, not lumber. The wind resistance from a sheet of plywood also puts a big strain on the crush nuts that hold the rack to the roof. I had one that blew completely off with the wood still attached and hit the car behind it :eek:. Be carefull!!!!!!

[Lance Norris]

Lance, I have an S-10 (2003) and it has places for 2x4s and I use it just like you and a carry 4x8 sheet goods all the time, now my gate is open and not closed but that is not a big deal.

Bill... thanks for clearing that up. Seriously. It never looks like the tailgate is 48" wide, but it must be.

[Bill Huber]

Bill... thanks for clearing that up. Seriously. It never looks like the tailgate is 48" wide, but it must be.

It is about 52 inches wide believe it or not. It does look really small and I thought that I would have a problem with sheet goods but they fit just fine.

[Peter Quinn]

That's hysterical! Seen that one before..whats's hard to see is that the guy also has the back seat and trunk full of 80# bags of sakrete!

I use my chevy express van to move sheet goods, no problems with space or weather. Nice for camping too!

[Kevin Groenke]

I've developed a system to transport sheet stock held vertically (think glass truck but removable) on the side of my Honda Element.

Pics and details here:
http://sawmillcreek.org/showpost.php?p=708884&postcount=12

-kg

[Bob Knodel]

Here is the bed extender that I use. Pretty simple and very effective.

[Jim Andrew]

I usually order my sheets from Liberty Hardwoods, and they deliver in the curtain truck. Last time the minimum order was 400$, and haven't bought any just lately, been busy with shop improvements, but only problem is you need room to get a semi into your yard. I just have them drive up parallel with the shop, and put the sheets on the plywood rack right inside an overhead door. The cool thing about Liberty is you can get prefinished sheets. They have a very tough clear finish, and then the inside of your cabinets are finished when they are assembled. Just stain and finish the exterior and the doors. Jim

[Tom Elgin]

Cheapo HF 4' x 8' trailer towed by my Honda CRV. When done, I fold the trailer and tongue and push it into the corner of my garage.

[Wayne Cannon]

Thanks. I always wondered what those detents in the sides were for.

[Chuck Saunders]

40' curtain van. Makes unloading with the forklift from the side a breeze!
Doug
Why do that when you could just have a spur from the railroad. Actually, the tracks run right behind my shop, if I made a ramp and....

[Jim Chilenski]

Bob,

I have the same HF load extender and use it with my '98 Nissan Frontier. I have two by four braces built to raise the height above the wheel wells so that the sheets lay flat. One suggestion to anyone who does use the pockets in the side walls to support a two by, add some vertical legs to each brace so that the weight is carried on the floor rather than by the pockets. This removes the stress placed on the pockets if like mine, they are formed into the bed liner.

And Bob, that HF load extender can be reversed so that the short leg goes into the receiver and the long leg is vertical. Then you can carry even longer loads, like a 30' ladder, across the roof of the cab back to the extender. Just be certain to pad the roof to protect it.

Jim

[Bob Fraser]

... Just googled specs on the truck and they say 51" wheel to wheel...

I mean this in the best of fun Eric - but what a commentary on today's technology this is - here is a guy who builds things, but googles his truck's dimensions rather than taking a tape measure to the truck!?

bob

[Bob Knodel]

Bob,

I have the same HF load extender and use it with my '98 Nissan Frontier. I have two by four braces built to raise the height above the wheel wells so that the sheets lay flat. One suggestion to anyone who does use the pockets in the side walls to support a two by, add some vertical legs to each brace so that the weight is carried on the floor rather than by the pockets. This removes the stress placed on the pockets if like mine, they are formed into the bed liner.

And Bob, that HF load extender can be reversed so that the short leg goes into the receiver and the long leg is vertical. Then you can carry even longer loads, like a 30' ladder, across the roof of the cab back to the extender. Just be certain to pad the roof to protect it.

Jim

I never thought to switch it around. Thanks for the heads up.

[Josiah Bartlett]

Here's my wood hauler:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/josiahtheengineer/RcumYCC6iGI/AAAAAAAAAA0/936JeTwyUE8/s400/truckload.jpg

Its slow but it gets us there in style.

Bed is 52"x80", so the gate has to be down for plywood, but it lays flat on the floor. (Which is also wood).

[Eric DeSilva]

I mean this in the best of fun Eric - but what a commentary on today's technology this is - here is a guy who builds things, but googles his truck's dimensions rather than taking a tape measure to the truck!?

In all fairness, I was at work sitting in front of a computer and the truck was sitting in my home driveway miles away... Curiousity got the better of me... With diesel priced the way it is, a RAM2500 CTD is not a daily driver... ;)

[Rob Will]

For me, anything less than an 8' pickup bed is worthless. I refuse to buy those 6-1/2' (or less:eek:) beds that the industry is trying to force upon us.

If it won't fit in a real pickup bed, get a 16' utility trailer.

Rob

[Dirk Lewis]

Dang... I've always assumed a 4' wide sheet wouldn't fit in the back, but maybe I have bad parallax vision or something...

Little confused here, you said in your first post that you did carry sheet goods & they didn't fit?

[Doug Jones from Oregon]

Train car loads are just a bit more panel than I would want to purchase... there is a spur behind one of the shops here also with a loading dock running along side. I understand that at one time they used it for both incoming and outgoing products.

Doug


Why do that when you could just have a spur from the railroad. Actually, the tracks run right behind my shop, if I made a ramp and....

[Carl Fox]

'99 Chevy Suburban here. What's great is that I can leave sheet goods in it overnight and I don't have worry about theft or rain. Got a class A hitch for towing the big stuff.

[Eric DeSilva]

Little confused here, you said in your first post that you did carry sheet goods & they didn't fit?

I think I said the wheel wells interfered with the floor space, but the "didn't fit" part was an assumption that, apparently, I never tested. I'd always put 2x4s under sheet goods but never actually just tried dropping them on the floor... Apparently they will fit. Probably explains why I'm a crappy parallel parker too.