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I just built a fence and had no problem hauling 10' lumber in my 5'5" bed. tailgate down extends the bend long enough to keep it all balanced. It does hang off the tailgate about 2' though.
I like this one because it has the vertical arms....which can be removed, or made wider/narrower depending on your load. Another one I was looking at didnt have these, but just had some rings that you could attach straps too...and if I recall some of the reviews said that the weld holding those rings on failed.
I currently have a crew cab Frontier with just a 5' bed. I just use the tailgate extender (not a bed extender like many here have used). I've made several trips with 10' lengths of 2x4's, 2x8's, and a bunch of trim/crown moulding. As long as the center of gravity is far enough inside the balance point, you'll be fine.
Once I was hauling some 12' length lumber. I placed a small sheet of plywood over the lumber at the base (nearest the cab) and then put sand bags over that to weigh down the lumber so it couldn't tip out.
I recently hauled 34 2x4x10s in my truck for a home project in my screw short bed. No problems whatsoever, I just made multiple layers of them across the back(with the tailgate up) and then threw 2 ratchet straps over it and away I went. No movement at all and I didn't feel like they were overhanging a "dangerous" amount.
I recently hauled 34 2x4x10s in my truck for a home project in my screw short bed. No problems whatsoever, I just made multiple layers of them across the back(with the tailgate up) and then threw 2 ratchet straps over it and away I went. No movement at all and I didn't feel like they were overhanging a "dangerous" amount.
That's the way I did it at first, and it worked quite well (duct taped a red shop towel on the end). Then I found an Extend-A-Truck II on CraigsList for $25 and snapped it up.....adjustable widths, and it can be used straight to haul wood/pipe, etc, or up vertical (which is mainly why I got it....for a canoe).
On new ones, prices I saw were from $85 (at Cabela’s, no less) to $169 online (most were $129). I'd keep an eye on CraigsList, and periodically check Ebay for a low-priced second hand one.
07-26-2016, 12:25 PM
