Bed slats for 4x8 sheets… what’s everybody using?

What’s everybody using for bed slats? I measured and it seems a 1” x 7” would fit perfectly…. Like that’s a thing at the big box stores.

Is everybody using 2x4 for strength and not worrying about it being flush with the bed? Or cutting down a 1x8 to notch in? Or 2x8 and double notching?

I’m curious because I’m going to need to haul some 4x8 sheet soon.

 

2 2x4's fit perfectly in each.

 

Ah…. Now that makes a bit of sense. But they sit a little high don’t they?

 

Just a tad, but I imagine it has very little impact on how much weight could be loaded.

 

There’s no need to try to make it flush with the bed moldings, the two sets of 2x4s are all the support you need for the plywood.

 

I used to have a bed platform that was placed on top of these 2x4's.

 

I just leave the tailgate up and slide them in on top of the wheel wells. I don't understand why anything special is needed.

 

That works too.

 

I used 5/4 X 8 ripped down to 7".

See post #14 in this thread for another idea:


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/anyone-have-photos-of-how-you-carry-4x8-sheet-goods.600362/

 

5x10 utility trailer.

 

I remember that thread….. now.

That’s a great idea. Leaves what, 1.5’ hanging over the tailgate?

 

I now remember wondering if I could make a short cable that clips to the tailgate cable on one end, and my bed stiffies on the other end. Making that cable short enough that it would pull the tailgate up a little. Might need to walk out to the garage and investigate now.

 

And one more….

I just fiddled around a little. It *looks* like you could use that extra bolt you bought to replace the lower bolt in the latch and it would be just about right. You can almost slip the cable hook over the latch. That would have been super easy… just slip over and put a locking pin in place. I think a little dremel work to open up the hook a little would do it. You wouldn’t have to touch th weight bearing end.

 

Are the wheel wells less than 4' apart? With my '95, 8'x4' material wouldn't sit on both wheel wells, so they had to sit on an angle. With drywall, I was worried that if I stacked too many it might break or warp.

 

I think it’s 42-45” or so. 57” for 2by on the wheel-well pocket.

 

Is it possible for one side to slide off the wheel wells?

 

Any way you do it you need to strap it down.

 

Doesn't the Maverick have a feature like that? I recall vaguely that it has a bunch of tricks to make the bed usable, and this seems familiar. But I'm definitely making an not of this for when I get my 3rd Gen next week. Never had a crew cab short bed before and I'm a bit apprehensive about the smaller bed size.

 

2X6 won't move around strong enough for what ever you put on it.