Anyone tried hauling 12' lumber?

[John M BUNMAN]

I brought home some 12’ base trim last weekend. I probably wouldn’t do it again. I went tailgate up to keep it above sedan windshields because I didn’t trust idiots around me to see the red flag. It was sketchy.

 

[Jason Krakauer]

This might have already been resolved, but I've had bad experiences w/ long trim and a (long bed) pickup prior to my Raptor ... hit a bump, and literally blew up about $150 crown molding over the top of the tailgate. ******* mess.

Since that day, I've done this (link):

Basically a slip knot w/ the ratchet strap at the tailgate end, and then a 2x4 brace at the top of the bed supported by short 2x4 vertical brace towards the cab (keeps the lumber from pogoing). If you're only grabbing a piece or 2, prob overkill ... but if it's a bunch this is good. I also add that if you're transporting flimsy lumber or molding ... I've got a spare longer 2x4 I keep around to act as a support and then strap the flimsy pieces to the 2x4.

 

[andreb]

I've done 20' trim but stuck it inside through the rear slider. Anything over 12' sucks with the tailgate up. I need a bunch of 10' plywood for my garage and was looking at some alternatives. There are several options on Amazon for an extender/bracket that goes in the trailer hitch. They aren't too expensive and look like they'd work well.

https://www.maxxhaul.com/70231

 

[Henry J]

You might consider investing in a bed extender similar to the one from Home Depot at this link...https://www.homedepot.com/p/Mockins...het-Straps-in-Black-MATRKBDEXTBLK41/313829498

I've picked up 16' 6"x6" lumber and smaller dimension lumber and it work very well. They are designed to fit any truck with a 2 in. hitch receiver.

 

[Panaraptor]

Need to pick up some 12' 4x4's and 2x4's. Guessing someone here has successfully gotten home without losing the load. Looking for tailgate-down solutions.

I built a contraption out of 2x2 square steel tubes that connects to the trailer hitch and has a support to carry long items. Works great. I’ll build a ladder rack soon which will be even more handy.

 

[flynford]

open thw rear window and slide it onto the center console....... can save you 5ft. so only a couple ft are sticking out from the tailgate. redneck status all the way

All the way!! This is how I do it with any truck I have had to haul long items. Never failed me yet or caused any problems.

 

[GRT4DRT]

 

[BenBB]

Much depends on how far you have to go and how many idiots on the road you'll encounter, but enough counterweight and a few straps and you're good to go heh. Needed a few 2x8x16's for deck toprails last year, used spare and strapped in "X" pattern using bed bolt Mopar tiedown rings:

Earlier this year buncha 1x6x12's, same deal (only a couple miles to lumber store, not a lot of traffic out here heh):

 

[WillP]

I hauled some 12’ and 8’ 6x6’s without a bed extender with no problems. I did stack the 8’a on top of the 12’. With a bed extender I hauled some 2x10x16’ !!

 

[dilmorecg]

I do this fairly frequently and like a lot of responses I do tailgate up, strapped down and/or something heavy on the inside of the boards. I have no problem with it but HD is <5mins from my house on side roads so I dont worry about it too much.