Anyone have photos of how you carry 4x8 sheet goods?

As in plywood, drywall, paneling, etc. Or long lumber or other building materials?

I suppose 60" x 60" baltic birch plywood sheets would be a challenge.

 

2x6 slots in the bed are there for creating easy crossbars.

 

Hitch hand.

 

Most 4x8 sheet goods go in the bed. I have a topper and platform. Long stuff like extension ladders or lengths of trim or dimensional lumber on the roof on a pair of Thule bars(one on the cab and one on the shell). I no longer need or want full time lumber racks so this works for me.

 

I'm wanting to replace my 4 x 6 trailer with a 5 x 10 trailer.

 

Yup. I transported all the drywall and subfloor for my kitchen on 2xs in those slots with the tailgate down.

Long lumber goes up top on the rack:

 

Just load it in. You could use the 2x6 slot but I’ve never really used them. 4x8 sheets fit fine, load the first sheet so it rests on the left wheel well and the second on the right. By spreading them you end up with a flat load on your tailgate.

 

Notched 2x8 crossbars and bingo:


And, you should keep your enemies closer, but your beer closest:

 

When I've loaded 8' sheetrock, I usually buy a few 8' 2x4's at the same time just to put underneath, but it's really overkill. Like the picture above, leave the gate up and hang the 2x4's and rock over the top of the tailgate. Remember that 5/8" rock is about 2.3 lbs per sq ft. so if you need any more than 8 or 10 sheets I'd use a trailer.

 

I have a 5x10 wood floor trailer I bought new with a new spare for $800 .

 

That would work for carrying the 60” x 60” sheets. But not needed for 4’x8’ materials. Most people don’t have a place to store a trailer. Renting one when needed makes more more sense for most.

 

A good friend with a trailer is a handy thing to have. I've been on both sides of that.

 

I installed an extra set of bolts for the tailgate cable so I can align the tailgate with the notches in the bed. Works great and super simple to change over.

 

That's a great idea!

 

Haha, don't I know!
For the past 15 years, I've had a small utility trailer (now 5x8, used to have one a little larger), and out of all the times it's been out on loan, not once, has anyone come over here to repack bearings, throw money in for taxes, tires, boards, etc etc. The good part? You borrow my trailer, but not my truck. If you damage it enough, just keep it, and go buy me a new one.

 

Long lumber with a hitch extender.

 

Really long load with hitch extender in a front hitch.

 

I really need to do this. It looks like I have just enough room with the bed stiffeners in place.

 

Legacy unit, carrying shingles, but i used the same rig for plywood.

Legs sit on top of the frame rails to minimize bending load on the bed. Overkill for drywall, but just gives some alternate ideas.

 

I added bed stiffeners after I did this. Plenty of room for both.