Transport 1x6 decking boards - max length?

I need to replace some decking boards (cedar, 40 years old!), going to pick up 1x6 PT boards in my long bed, no rack.

Boards come in 10, 12 and 16 feet, and I only need a very few in 16 ft length.

I wonder how long I can get away with, boards flat in the bed, with the addition of the puny Harbor Freight extension?

 

Could you put a red handkerchief on the end of a board and hope you get home B 4 U get stopped ?

 

Just strap them down well.... As long as you flag the end and its light out you should be fine... I've had a 16 foot canoe tied in this way....

 

Most states require a red flag or red light on loads extending more than 4 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle why don't you just use a thick pad [old sleeping bag, furniture pad etc.] and load them extending over the cab with the back extending no more than 4 feet and secure them with a couple of ratchet straps.

 

Place the 16' footers in first, then pile on the smaller ones over them..... all against the front bed wall.... with straps. Good to go!

 

Throw an old blanket folded up nicely on top of the cab and open the tail gate, use ratchet straps

I used to do it all the time with a fair bit of lumber. Never an issue

 

I was transporting 16' boards the other day and I put a few sand bags on the one end of them to keep them in the bed and not bouncing out (plus a tie-down). Still not fun and I was glad to get home.

 

How many boards total would you need ?

 

This^

But it all depends on how far you're driving, and how busy those roads will be....

 

Do you have a rear sliding window? This is the main reason I get one and probably the only time I use it. Just slide the boards through that and rest them on the top of the tailgate and use ratchet straps. you can put the smaller boards on either side of them, the will be angled forward and when strapped down shouldn't want to move anywhere. I usually get them up to the dash and just use a rag and hope I don't scratch anything - but its a truck and that's why I bought it.

 

All good ideas, thanks.
I will run a test around neighborhood quiet roads with the blanket-over-cab + straps method.

 

And then take a picture

With the tail gate down, a good way to lock the tails of lumber is from the trailer hitch with a full loop around the lumber with your ratchet strap.

 

Buy a headache rack , problem solved