How to safely haul 12’ lumber?

16' 2x6"

I did flag it after I took the picture. There is a DOT regulation saying that you cannot carry anything longer than 4' beyond the end of your vehicle. Overzealous cops will look for that.

 

Check your state laws about cargo overhang length. Most places, 4' is completely acceptable, but check your state's laws to be safe. As always, secure with at least 2 straps, and hang a red flag indicator at the end of the load. A bed extender isn't a must, but its certainly a good item to have around for things like this, especially if your final project is going to need hauled at that same length.

 

12’ long, 3 foot wide, 18” high. It’s a raised vegetable garden bed made from cedar. Similar to this one that I built last year, but the one in this picture is 8’x4’. The new one is going to be 12’x3’. So I have to be able to transport that.

 

I've done 14' and 16' that way. Open the rear cab window, pass them through. Leave the tailgate up. Easy.

 

sounds like tailgate down/bed extender is the perfect ultimate end goal then

 

You can go beyond 4ft, although it is state dependent, but up 5-6ft is generally allowed before needing to declare yourself oversize, although that is a grey area for noncommercial vehicles. A couple states limit to 4ft full stop, a few more allow up to 10+ft of overhang. Just the rules become a lot more strict at 4ft and beyond, you must use, at minimum, a 12x12 safety flag, and a saftey light, the light is technically only needed at night.

 

You guys are pretty creative! Lots of good ideas here. Thank you!

 

The finished bed will actually be easier to tie down, since you'll be able to make an X with the straps (the front tie downs should be low enough for that). Then I would add another strap around the end, mostly for fun (and probably using the tailgate latch points for that, if the height makes sense).

 

i've done this many times with various trucks.
i always use blankets where wood contacts the truck to not do damage.
i also wrap a blanket around the front of the wood so if there is a shift in a short stop, damage is not done to dash or windshield.
and ALWAYS red flag the trailing end. someone rear ends your wood and you will not be happy.

i also built a rack that sat in the bed and used the cab roof (blanketed of course) as part of the bearing surface. overhanging the cab up front and the bed rack in the rear worked great for very long wood. rack was strapped into the bed. built out of 2x4's with triangular bracing for stability. easily assembled and disassembled for storage when not needed. once assembled, just strap wood to rack and bed.

 

More ideas on this thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-carry-long-materials-16-feet-long.609648/

 

The old school way is to sling the load under the truck. I helped my dad do it all the time, but I haven't seen it done for a very long time. That said I've got a bunch of 16' 2x4s that need a ride home and my short bed Tacoma isn't going to cut it for that. I was thinking about paying the delivery fee, but now maybe not.

 

Many local lumber companies deliver for no or small fee.

 

Harbor freight bed extender.
Adjustable height. I used it to haul stacks of 4x10 sheetrock. Put 2 boards in the bed pockets, so 4ft would fit width-wise. Tail was supported by the bed extender. Flags on the end. 12ft lumber on the bottom of the bed, with the same extender.
$60

 

I have done this but not if a long drive.
Strap it down TIGHT so if you have to break fast they will not go thru the front windshield.

 

My favorite lumber place is ~50 miles away. I select lumber by the wood species, grain pattern, and width with less regard to length. Usually the lengths are 10-12 ft so I run them through the back window resting on the tailgate in the rear. Then I fix them to the bed with multiple ratchet straps, one to anchors in the front and one to anchors in the rear. You'll want to wind a turn or two around the bundle before tightening. I have never had an issue doing it this way. As long as your lashings to the bed are solid, the load will not move.

The hitch mounted extenders look useful, but that's one more thing to store when not needed.

 

Don’t overthink it

 

YES very important, IMO

 

Can you take raw material to the end destination and build there ?
or
Buy raw materials closer to destination for convenience and safety ? I've done that for things when I had a vacation cottage. Might cost a little more but worth the less problems.
or
Build the thing in 2 sections. Transport on 2 trips. Put the 2 together at the final destination.

 

Cut in half, GLUE