How to carry long materials? (16 feet long)

I have an interesting issue.

I just purchased my 2014 Regular cab 4WD 5MT Tacoma. I've been using it to haul steel fabrication projects to clients and occasionally using it for materials. I've been able to carry up to 10' tubes in the back but now I have a client that needs 16' lengths of round tubing.

Without buying a contractor's rack, do I have any alternatives? I was thinking about laying down 6' 2x4's on the bed, strapping em down to the tie downs and using the right side of the wood to make little "U" holders so the tube can run down the passenger's side of the truck?

Has anybody else ever done something ridiculous like this?

Thanks!

 

Following to get ideas...... for a friend

 

If it's a one time thing why not rent a trailer for the day?

 

Well you are going to have to go over the roof since you obviously won't be able to have 10' sticking out the back. I would say racks that are at least as tall as the cab and something that attaches to the front end to carry the front of those lengths. I would Fab up something that can be removed easily and can attach in a way that would allow the truck to remain stock in look. I also like your idea but what are you going to attach it to in the front of the truck?

 

Get a trailer

 

Hang it underneath. Plumbers do it all the time.

 

That's where I'm stuck. I would have about 3 feet hanging out the back if the front of the 16' meets the front of the truck. I haven't made a plate bumper for this truck yet ( actually, I could just make a bracket for the plate bumper on my other truck ) so I have no attachment points in the front.

You must be trolling....?

 

This might just have to happen. I'll just charge him up the wazoo for it.

The problem is I need to get it to a powdercoater then transport it a few cities away. So I'd have to rent it twice. SIGH

 

You mean the customer needs to pay for it twice due to his unique request


Aside from that or a contractor rack I can't think of a safe means of transportation for such long pipe.

Good luck

 

Nope.

 

I've seen many trucks where they have a rack on the side of the truck at about rocker panel height. I think in the back it hooks to a receiver hitch, on the front I guess it depends on the truck. I tried to find a picture but my google fu is failing.

It might be easier than going over the top anyway, assuming its actually legal.

 

Regular ladder racks then put a 20' ladder on there and strap to the ladder.

 

Get a Yakima bar (or similar) on the cab.
Get an inexpensive load extender that mounts in the receiver and matches the height of the bar. When you have no load you're at std length vehicle.Reese makes 'canoe loader' that pivots to allow you to load the material, then walk the other end around and place it on the cab. Less than $50.00

$78 Reese Towpower 7018100 Canoe Loader - Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0024FOTOW/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_4?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

 

Prinsu rack.

I run around with a 20’ ladder up on mine all the time.

 

My vote

 

with a ladder on top seems like the easiest solution to me. Seems crazy to use a trailer for a couple of pipes.

 

There are no easy answers for stuff that long. A ladder rack seems to be the best answer. They make bed extenders that slide into the hitch, but 16' is longer than I'd use with those. My 12" kayak is about as long as I'd want to put on one. A trailer is an option, if it is long enough. Don't be like this guy.

 

Can you imagine being that stupid?

 

A couple of feet on roof with a bunch of padding underneath
A couple of feet hanging over tail gate
Ratchet straps to d-rings

Have done this with lumber

 

I saw one at Lowes the other day. 16' deck boards, at least 50 of them, being loaded into a full size Chevy with a 6' bed. Pretty sure more board was out than in, even with the tailgate down. Not sure how he strapped that but I would never even attempt it.