hauling 5'x5' plywood sheets

I just replaced my 25 year old full size pickup with a '23 Tacoma and have a need to haul some 5'x5' plywood sheets. This may be a recurring need as I am a woodworking hobbyist. I am interested in seeing how other Tacoma owners have managed this while keeping the plywood sheets flat. I have a well equipped wood shop so I can easily build something out of wood. Please share your design ideas with me.

 

I downsized after a lifetime of 1/2 ton trucks to a Tacoma in 2007. The 1st thing I did was buy a utility trailer. And that's not intended to be a knock on Tacoma. I get all of the advantages of a smaller truck for most of my driving. If I need to haul something large or heavy, I can put more weight or volume in the trailer than I could fit in the 8' bed of a 3/4 ton truck and pull that much weight with ease. It's easier to load and unload plus firewood and gravel don't beat up the bed.

 

BlueberryBCtaco: Your solution will work great for a 4'x8' plywood sheet and I will likely implement something like that. My immediate need is to haul 5'x5' Baltic birch plywood so I will need something that rests on the side walls of the PU bed.

 

I agree with the "utility trailer" concept. A very flat bed with no side-bumps is good for material you do not want to bend. I once moved in my Corolla a 4 ft sheet but the car does not have a flat transition from trunk into cabin ... I used 2x4s to keep the 4 ft long piece supported.

Besides ... it sounds like yo will have more challenges like heavy brick in your future. You want to shift that weight out of the truck and into a trailer where you can reduce the impact of it to 20% and you do not have to worry about the full-weight of that load.

 

If you are hauling baltic birch 5x5 wouldn't upright on edge like the glass companies do work best?

 

I see, if you want it to lay flat.

You can do something like this.
Two of these, front and rear. And instead of pipe you can use 2x6 and ubolt.

I’m not sure on how strict wide vehicles are in your area, but something to bear in mind.

 

Get it delivered

 

BlueberryBCtaco: Here is my adaptation of your suggestion. The attached drawing worked for me but you better double check the dimensions for your specific Tacoma. The ends of each 2"x6" have 2 each 1/4"-20 Tee nuts (in my case, Propell nuts). For a 5'x5' sheet, space the two 2"x6" boards roughly 30 inches apart. I have not actually used it yet but am optimistic that it will work. Of course, you need at least two tie down straps.

 

Looks good.
I would not worry too much about adding that 5in x 5in vertical piece.
Once you strap them in it won’t shift passenger to driver.

to attach the timber to the OEM bed rails. You can buy some T-nuts or you can use 1/2 in spring nuts for unistrut. Works just as well and you can buy a pack of 15 or more for the price of 4 T-nuts off scam-azon. But your call.

Even if you don’t attach to the bed rails , once you strap them in you are still good.

see attached.

 

I like your idea, but have two comments / suggestions.

I would add the side pieces for load stability. I'm not sure how much you plan to haul at once, but I don't to solely rely on cargo tie downs.

I would also add those pieces or a full width piece to the front of the forward board to protect the back window (an potentially you as well) during a sudden stop.

I added D-ring tie downs to the side of the bed just above the floor, between the wheel well and the front wall as an additional low anchor point.

 

@bfblack Well, how did it work for you? I find myself in a similar situation - wanting to use some nice 1/2" baltic birch that is also 5'x5'.
When you finally used it, did you make any mods, or did your use suggest any?