Using Tacoma to pick up construction materials

And it's useful for other things.

The boards across in the bed pockets allow use of full width of the bed.

Problem is you still only get about 9' of direct support. Fine for lumber, but I'd be reluctant to move 12' drywall that way.

 

I wouldn't use one of those hitch/bed extenders for drywall sheets. Drywall will sag and break in transit if its not supported properly. Rent or buy a trailer.

 

Home Depot closest to me rents flatbed trailers for cheap. I would just do that if you have the tow package.

 

Call a friend with a real truck

 

I couldn't live without my 5x10 utility trailer. I got it off CL for $600 and it's paid for itself many times over.

 

Get it delivered, it will be worth every penny. Call some local supply houses and get prices for it to be delivered, you might be surprised.

 

For a few sheets of drywall and lumber? Why? If you're moving a skid steer, sure, get a friend with a full size. But materials for a small home project like this? Tacoma is plenty capable.

Most places charge $200 for delivery. No thanks. I can rent a trailer/truck at HD, pick up a guy or two and pay him $10/hr and still be ahead.

 

Loading? Who loads thier drywall at the big box store? Ask them to do do it either into your own truck, trailer or their rental truck. Its free and you get to watch them do it.

 

You're missing the point. But I had to the last time. Busy Saturday and no one to help. I said forget it and did it myself. Then you've got to unload it when you get home. Have you tried getting drywall up/down from a roof rack? Not fun.

 

Yeah, that was a part of my college incentive summer job from hell when I graduated from high school. I also got to help hold it up to the ceiling while it was nailed using a pole, and I also got to cut it and square off all the corners I broke off of the boards while carrying it! It was the only job I ever had where I never really figured out if I quit or was fired, it all happened at the same time

 

You have a friend with a 12' bed?

 

I was having some 805 over here.

 

‘12 OR carried 12’ 2x6’s with a few cement bags stuffed on top of them near the front of the bed. Had the d rings which helped strap them down too. Strapped them on the rear as well. Looked funny as hell, but it worked. Never had issues.

‘08 OR carried a shitload of wood harvested from the Angeles National Forest all the way back to Topanga. I got crazy and way past the bed rails every time. Road the axle all the way back home all those times. Never had an issue.

However...don’t EVER carry 9’x9”x9” solid Oak railroad ties with the tailgate closed. Oh, the tailgate was fine, but the Taco’s bed ended up with a permanent lean

Tacos can be tough.

 

I added an extra set of bolts for the tailgate cables to hold the tailgate in line with the boards in the bed pockets. Works great for carrying 8 foot sheet goods in my 6 foot bed and super simple to change over.

 

Save a buck like everyone suggests and then cry when you have to replace all of that unused material that is broken and worthless.

I just had an incident 2 days ago. Picked up some aluminum angle and a couple of sticks of 3”aluminum flatbar. The flatbar came untaped from the angle and slid though a crack in the sides of the trailer and wrapped itself under. $50 lesson and a return trip to pick up some more. Just because something looks like it will be ok doesn’t mean you won't be learning a financial lesson. When there is any doubt stop and think about the cost if it doesn’t work out.

 

Lay 2-3 12’ boards lengthwise and place the drywall on top.

 

Great idea. I was surprised to see Toyota didn’t see fit to make the secondary peg stock.

 

This load of green Eucalyptus firewood was no match for the 3rd Gen Taco. In all honesty, it carried the load A LOT better than the 2nd Gen.

 

12' drywall? If it is more than 5 sheets or so, get it delivered by a local supplier. They will boom it, or have some dudes carry it into your house. My around here does it for $15 bucks. Long boards, 16 or 20' pvc etc.., I open my back window and slid it through.

 

I hauled similar (16 footers of molding, plywood, stick lumber) minus the drywall with a bed extender. It was easy as pie.