Hauling drywall

What's the best way to load drywall/sheetrock in the bed? I'm buying 1/2"x4'x8' sheets a couple at a time. I've been debating the best way to load them in the truck FOREVER and I actually have to go buy some now.

I just don't want to lose it all over the road or waste it by having it damaged from the trip to the house. My whole justification for buying the truck was remodeling, so I have to get this done myself (no having it delivered). The trip from the store is pretty short, but not too smooth. Top speed limit is around 40-45 MPH depending on which store I buy from.

I have the longer bed, but no hitch or trailer. Straps? Rope? Net? Tarp?

Thanks!

 

Just put it in the truck and go have fun. you have the long bed and with the gate down you will be fine....just don,t tip her over

 

I dont think they fit between the wheel wells right? If they do just slide them in and leave the tailgate down and strap em.

If not, I would lay them in like this / Just more lower. Put the left against the floor and wheel well and the right against the top of the top. Then strap them in.

 

i just put them in and rest them on the top of the tailgate. if your really concerned, get two 8' 2x4s and use them to support the drywall

 

Buy a sheet of 3/4 ply at the same time as the drywall , put a 2x6 across the notches in the bed walls above your wheel wells . Put the plywood on the 2x6 , leave the gate up and stack the drywall on the plywood . As long as you aren't stupid about how many sheets of gyproc you take in one trip this will work and the drywall will be supported by the plywood and won't crease or crack .

 

This is what I did.

 

I keep a piece of plywood (4' x8') and take it to the supply store to support the drywall over one of the wheelwells. As above, I still load it on an angle /, tailgate down, and I just put the plywood on bottom. As always the drywall is in two packs with back sides facing out, but if you separate the sheets make sure one of the back sides is facing the plywood. I have put a strap over the end for piece of mind but the load is very heavy and I doubt would shift but you never know who may cause you to make a sudden move on the road. Good luck, makes me tired just thinking of hanging drywall. Also if you are new to drywall and jointing check out www.drywallschool.com I found it pretty helpful.

 

this works great

 

Man, you guys are fast. They don't fit between the wheel wells and they hang just over the end of the tailgate with it down.

I've taken MDF and plywood home on top of the closed tailgate, but I didn't think the drywall would survive the trip.

I was considering having the gate down and making some kind of "ramp" to help support it. I know if I buy 2x4s just for the drywall it will seem like a waste and I'll have to haul them to the store every time.

 

i've carried 6-8 sheets of 8' at a time for a decent distance and never had any issues

 

the sheets aren't light, it'll take a lot to get one airborne

 

Well, I guess I risk $14 (2 sheets) and try the AK27 method. Thanks guys. I post if it doesn't work out.

 

I'm not sure about lumber prices where you are but 2 or 3 , 8' 2x4's are going to cost about $10 . Return them when you are done if your budget is that tight , but if you are remodelling , some spare lumber is always handy .

 

i am not responsible for any damage!

 

I usually do this, but a little different. I put 2 screws in each board to hold the plywood, and leave the tailgate down. Use the D-Rings and ratchet strap everything down in the front and rear.

 

This is what I do, 2x4x8s are less than $3 each. I also secure the whole load with tie downs.

 

I have a bed extender in my Tacoma and what I've been doing lately is placing three 2x4s from the front of the bed going over the extender at an angle then laying the drywall down. Throw on a couple of straps and it works great.......

 

Old post but a tip from another DIY'er. I put 2x4 rails across the bed in the notches designed in the bed, usually there are three and then lay the drywall over it. I have hauled 12 sheets like this in my Dakota. Use a strap at the back going fom under on the left to over on the right to hold it in the back.

This method makes UNLOADing a hell of alot easier compared to having it all resting on the tailgate on an angle. As for you 5ft bed guys, you may have to use a sheet of drywall or 2x4s running lengthwise to keep the stuff from snapping.

Cheers

 

I trimmed the ends of 2 2x6's so they rest flush in the notches with the top of the wheel wells. Then just load the sheets on top of the boards and they are supported by the two boards and wheel wells. Then ratched strap accross the ends using 1 D ring and 1 tailgate latch. I think I have hauled about 20 sheets at a time and there is still room under them for more supplies. I just keep the boards in the garage when not using them. You could probably buy 1x6 and screw a strong back to the lower side if you dont want to notch the ends of a 2x6.

 

This ^^^

Also do yourself a favor and spend the extra $0.20 a sheet and buy the lightweight drywall. It weighs about 30% lighter and believe me it's worth the extra expense. Your back and arms will thank you.