Hauling Lumber

I was thinking about buying a tacoma after seeing my friends. I realize that I don't really have a use for a half ton seeing as I would just use it as a daily driver mostly and occasionally haul some lumber home. Maybe a aluminum boat also.

Is the bed on the 2014 access cab big enough to hold 4x8 plywood? I think the wheel wells might interfere with the width of the bed for being a smaller truck.

 

I haven't done this specifically but I think the wells are too close for the sheet to nest between them. cut some 2x4s for the slots in the bed and then support the sheets above the wells.

 

I put a 2x6 across the bed notches at the front and put the plywood on that and the tailgate , if you want to haul the material flat you can use 2 cross supports as posted above

 

Funny thing is I just went and bought some of those 4' x 8' composite siding panels today. While putting them in the bed I was thinking of some posts I've seen by OZ-T saying how he had used 2 x 6's to make a flat surface, I was wishing I had done the same.

The panels fit with the tailgate up, but they are a little off. Would be easy with the wood supports mention by OZ-T and gooch14.

 

I have hauled alot of plywood. You have to leave the tailgat up and rest it on that. You can effectively haul about 8-10 sheets at a time and strap it down with the bed D rings in the back.

Edit: Or you can do it the way suggested above, I never bothered with that method. Guess I should have read all the posts before responding.

 

I'm still getting used to having a smallish truck. The last 4 I've had have been full size trucks with 8 foot beds, and 2 were 3/4 ton. Being full at 10 sheets of half inch plywood is a bummer at times, but I'm reminded to use my truck for what it's intended for and allow the delivery trucks to do what they're best at. For the occasional trip to the lumber yard, or a weekend warrior, I dont think it's going to be much of a consideration at all, to be honest.

 

I haul a lot of lumber, PVC, etc with this. But, thankfully I we have the trusty '91 F150 farm beater when I need to haul a lot of plywood.

 

Any pics of this? I can't picture in my head what's going on here... And I'm def being lazy and not walking outside right now...

 

These notches in the side of the bed , there is a set at the front and rear

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...leeping-platform-2x6s-2x8s-2.html#post6754513

 

Would any of you possibly have a photo of a 4x8 plywood or drywall in your bed resting up against the tailgate?

I'm still in between the tacoma or like a silverado/sierra seeing as they get similar mileage and are similar in price even with a v8. I would probably like a trd tacoma because I love the look of the hood scoop on the truck.

 

My brackets may be able to help you, depending on how much weight you want to haul around.