Hauling long stuff in a 5 or 6 ft bed

There's lots of ways to haul but 12 ft lumber in a 5 ft bed is a bit iffy. I've done it.
I'm going to assume everyone already knows there is notches in bed for a 2x6 so you can haul 4x8 sheets of your choice.
I had a need to haul a few sheets of 4x12 drywall & some 12 ft lumber.
I've wanted one of these things from Harbor Freight but they are always out of stock
Scored one yesterday, the only one in stock. $59.95, 10% off & used my 20% off coupon too.
It's paint, not powder coat which is ok.
350 lb capacity evenly loaded, I'd make 2 trips before hanging that much weight out the back.
Brought some 12 ft baseboard to a job, easy peasy. Forgot the pic.
I will probably add some reflective tape to it so someone doesn't walk into it (like me)
I'd recommend a locking pin so someone doesn't steal it. Maybe 2 keyed alike.
Comes in 2 pieces but no hitch pin for receiver. No issue for me, I have lots.
Has hitch pin for top bar.
Multiple positions. All the way down is level with tailgate & bed floor.
All way up level with boards in bed notches.
Has 2 tie down loops on it.
Worth every penny.

 

A magnetic brake light would be nice that plugs into the 7 pin outlet

 

Nice accessory that many here have and use.

 

A (maybe less heavy-duty) version that I found on Amazon has me interested because it is foldable. I have very limited garage space and this would fold up and easily store in my shed when not in use. I have an old salfish sail boat that is I think around 12-13 ft long, and I have been searching for a way to transport it just a few miles to a nearby lake with my short bed.

$82 ECOTRIC Truck Bed Hitch Extender 2 in 1 Design Foldable Extension Pick Up Rack Canoe Boat Kayak Lumber w/Flag

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NVQDSTG/?coliid=I3UU1OVRRDC1HQ&colid=23ND5P0T3EN9

Not sure if this would work or if the boat would still stick out too far. How long did your trim stick out over the end of the hitch extender?

 

LOL, you wouldn't think so by how many complain about hauling or have no clue about the bed notches.

 

The HF breaks down into 2 pieces. The folding one you linked is still same length. Probably heavier to lug around.

12 ft lumber hangs 30" pass the support. That's ok
16' or 20' would need a lumber rack or delivery to job site.

 

One thing- the 2 tie down loops welded to the top of support bar are 46" inside to inside. I will have to do mods to carry 12 ft drywall that is 48".
Easy though. Bar is 49" so I could weld 2 flat plates to sides for a stop, then cut off & re-weld loops to the inside of bar. 10 minute fix, not a deal breaker.

 

I’ve seen this device several times on here. Is there a point at which such a device becomes illegal? It’s almost like adding a trailer with no brake lights, but I suppose because it is narrower than the bedsides, it never covers up the taillights.

 

Maybe if you drive around town without a load. It goes on & off easy, I will use it when I get to lumber yard & remove when I unload.

 

Very nice, I been looking at that at HF also. I have some upcoming projects that I'm going to need to transport lumber too. I will have to try to find one soon.
More immediate I'll need to get some 4x8 plywood for replacing a subfloor in the upstairs apartment. What's the best way to secure that in the bed. I know about the notches but never used them so far. I would have to get some 2x6 and cut down to fit. I'm guessing to keep the sheets from sliding I'd tie a strap from the bed anchor loops across the end to a bed rail tie down on the opposite sides. maybe I'm overthinking trying to picture it in my mind now I'm sure I'd get it home safe.

 

12' stuff goes in the Honda






16' stuff goes in the short bed

 

Most states the overhang limit is 4 feet
That does vary, and I don’t think it’s heavily enforced

 

I've always ran with racks. Never not been able to haul something.

 

Used the same one to haul some 16ft deck boards in my 6ft bed. Lil sketchy but worked

 

A nice aluminum trailer would come in handy.

 

The other day at our local Fred Meyer, about 5 cars up the narrow one way aisle, there was a pickup with the tailgate up on a short bed pickup with what appeared to be five or six 2x8x16s strapped in. They reached almost to the parked cars parked opposite side of the aisle. A car was able to squeak under, but an SUV had to back out the wrong way down the aisle. If they parked in the back of the lot somewhere, no big deal, but instead they wanted to be right at the front of the store.

 

Makes too much sense for many on TW, but I like it!

 

I may be old school... Yes, I AM old school...

But in my days I have been known to drop a rope down between cab and bed on my Dodge pickup, and cinch the ends of 20 foot lengths of structural steel up to the front and rear bumpers. Then haul up the bed/cab rope , tie it off in the bed. and drive to where I needed to go/

Not so useful for bulky dimension lumber, and those were solid axle days. ;-)

 

I did that with synthetic decking. I ordered 12' boards which I figured would be no problem. I got to the yard and they substituted 16' boards. Those things were practically dragging on the ground but I got them to the job by driving slowly on back roads.

 

20 foot load on top. I got the idea from reading an Amazon review of a bed extender.