MUFFMAN

Exactly what I do. Had more than my share sheets of drywall in my truck.

Napalm

I'd seen one of those on the road and thought it was a nifty idea. thanks.

marshallr

10' lumber isn't any harder to haul in my 5' bed Tacoma than an 8' bed on a full size truck. Load lumber, strap it down, gate up or down it works either way. I've hauled 12' material many times in my Tacoma with a 5' bed. It takes a little more planning and a couple of ratchet straps. Anything longer than 12' on my Tacoma and I have one of the bed extenders.

With the 5.5' bed on my F-150 I have almost 8' of space with the tailgate down. I don't need the bed extender until I hit 16' loads.

jason370

Thanks for the responses. So to be clear, just ratchet the lumber down, and let it hang either off the dropped tailgate, or propped up over the closed tailgate.

Mlarv

Yup that works depending on weight and amount. Just remember stacking order.

bigj_16

How do I haul objects longer than my bed? Simple, I use my wife's truck

jason370

I'm going to assume you mean to place larger, heavier objects on the bottom, right?

Especial86

iTrader: (1)

Place larger heavy objects on top of your long load of (boards,sheets,or pipe) As close to the cab as possible. This is basically providing a counterweight.
10' long items fit great corner to corner with the gate up. Bundle everything up tight and Bungee everything down to keep them from separating, once again tailgate UP..

Anything over 10' I break out the bed extender if I'm carrying several 12' + pieces of lumber or ladders..
16' LVL's are about as long an item as I prefer to haul if I'm trying to be quick, after that I will schedule a delivery.

Mlarv

A lot depends on size of heaver objects. If small then on top of the load near the cab as stated already. What I mean is simple.

If you are working out of the truck (leaving all the lumber and materials in bed)

Start with plywood on bottom then 2x on top that way you are not moving the ply to get to the 2x

If you are unloading it then stack the 2x on the bottom and the ply on top. This way when it is unloaded the ply is on bottom and the 2x is on top.

This way you are not moving lumber around all the time.

Remember to strap to the trailer hitch up to the side of the bed tie downs so it will not slide out.

jason370

I'm glad I asked! It wouldn't have occurred to me that weighting down the 2x4's would be the thing to do, but that makes a lot of sense.