Vehicles That Fit A Sheet Of Plywood???

[David Weaver]

When the mrs and I got our last vehicle, I wanted to get a minivan to haul sheets. The mrs. didn't, and consequently, we spent more than $10,000 less than we would have on a minivan going downmarket to a scion XB.

I have gotten wood and sheet goods (that wouldn't fit in the scion), up to 200 miles away, about a half dozen times and probably spent a rental total of about $600 in five years. I've rented vans from enterprise and uhaul, depending on how far I've gone, and I'm not sorry I did. The difference in gas and insurance (due to the lower value of the vehicle) has more than paid those rental fees, and at this point, my wife now thinks we should have a bigger vehicle and I'm convinced we should stay with what we have.

[Kevin Groenke]

I have a Honda Element for criteria very similar to yours (fits in sml garage, 4 passengers, not a mini-van, somewhat economical, no room for a trailer). While I did make a system to haul sheet stock on the side of the Element like a glass installer, I rarely use it anymore and just use the roof rack instead (probably weekly for something or another). I transported a queen sz mattress home up there last weekend, a bunch of 20' rebar a couple weeks ago, 14)2x6x16's last month : you're not going to fit any of that inside of anything short of a full sz van or box truck.

Any decent roof rack properly mounted on about any car can easily handle 6+ sheets of 3/4" stock. I've had up to 20 sheets of 1/2" osb on my Yakima rack without ill effect. (though such racks are "rated" for much less than what they'll hold)

David's comment about renting when necessary definitely has merit. How often are you going to buy 4x8 sheets? Does that frequency really merit buying a specific vehicle?

-kg

[Lee Schierer]

My 2012 Xterra will fit width wise, same as yours. If you're worried about gas mileage, the Pilot is probably a better bet. As you already know, the Xterra is a gas hog, but I believe the Pilot is available with the option for your cylinders to shut off to save gas. A coworker said he can get up to 30 in his new Pilot, I'm lucky to max out over 20.

My pilot has the ECO cylinder management option and we've seen 25 mpg (actual). The computer is a bit optimistic when it calculates and displays the MPG. We check ours by recording the actual miles and gallons to fill up. Maybe if you drove somewhere at 45-50 mph on flat ground or down hill for 100 miles you would get 30 MPG, but most folks won't. The pilot is a great vehicle very stable and comfortable.

[Stephen Cherry]

Chevy 3/4 ton pickup fits 5 adults, can carry lots of sheets of plywood, AND has the capability to carry "some" wood, or "some" mulch (that is 3,600 lbs of mulch BTW).

Attachment 275356Attachment 275355

Looks a little shaky. Plus, check the air in the left rear tar.

[Charlie Velasquez]

. . . . A small utility trailer was what I chose for this purpose and that also insures that the interior of my vehicle doesn't get damaged by materials.

+1
Mercury Sable, Hitch purchased and installed for $210. 5X9 trailer off CraigsList for $300. 2000# payload. Hauled dirt, mulch, lumber, sheet goods, brick , sod, old shingles... and new shingles, sofa and loveseat and recliner, queen size bed set, Sable interior is still clean. Gas mileage is 24-26mpg. Trailer and hitch paid for itself over a bigger truck with poorer MPG.
If space is an issue, HF and others have foldable trailers in the 900# category, I think.

[Bryan Slimp]

+1 on the Outback. I don't know which year it started, but the 2013 has integrated roof rails and isn't too high, plus it's easy to open a door and climb up to get stuff on top.

You can safely get two or three on top depending on weight/thickness.

[Ole Anderson]

As a woodworker who lives in snow country, open trailers or roof top carriers don't cut it. I need to be able to haul sheet goods in inclement weather and keep it dry. To do so I load the ply on 6'x12' painters drop cloth, and flip the excess up and over the last foot of ply hanging out before I drop the hatch. Plus my HOA doesn't allow outside storage of a trailer. If it did, I would probably have a 5'x10' one for all sorts of hauling, including my mower and including lumber in good weather.

[Mark Patoka]

On the test drive, you're just gonna have to tell the salesman you need to stop at Lowe's or Home Depot for a minute and do a test fit.......

[Wes Mitchell]

My pilot has the ECO cylinder management option and we've seen 25 mpg (actual). The computer is a bit optimistic when it calculates and displays the MPG. We check ours by recording the actual miles and gallons to fill up. Maybe if you drove somewhere at 45-50 mph on flat ground or down hill for 100 miles you would get 30 MPG, but most folks won't. The pilot is a great vehicle very stable and comfortable.

Beats the heck out of my 16mpg

[Derek Arita]

Let me repeat...can't do a truck or trailer, hauling sheetgoods on rooftop is not optimal, nor is renting a vehicle on demand. Also, large SUVs are out because of space issues. So far, the Pilot, Acadia and 4Runner sound like good options.

[David Hawkins]

all full size pick up trucks (8' bed) will accept 4'x 8' stock
Dodge Grand Caravan with all seats removed and seats pulled way forward, (don's try it if you are over about 5'10"!) I've used mine to haul plywood and sheetrock.

[Judson Green]

On the test drive, you're just gonna have to tell the salesman you need to stop at Lowe's or Home Depot for a minute and do a test fit.......

I did that. No salesman with me though.

[greg lindsey]

'06 Dodge Durango. I haul 4x8 sheets of acrylic and they fit perfectly. Great ride also.

[Derek Arita]

'06 Dodge Durango. I haul 4x8 sheets of acrylic and they fit perfectly. Great ride also.

Thanks...didn't know that. I'll keep the Durango in mind as well.

[Jim Becker]

Thanks...didn't know that. I'll keep the Durango in mind as well.

The current Durango isn't anything like those older ones...it's essentially the same vehicle as the Grand Cherokee Summit I drive...same assembly line and many of the same parts. (although it does offer a cramped third row seating option not available in the Jeep) It's not a good choice for hauling sheet goods for both width and length. (as previously mentioned, I use a small utility trailer for that, although I typically order plywood from the nice folks at Industry Plywood and have them deliver it )