Haul Long Lumber in a Shortbox Truck

Use these simple steps to easily haul LONG lumber in a short box pickup truck. A dose of carpenter's ingenuity along with a couple boards, a sturdy strap and a few screws are all I use to easily haul long boards from the lumberyard to the Next Level Carpentry shop or jobsite. Using a unique wrapping method for a tie down strap (NOT Bungee cords!!!) allows lumber to be cinched securely WITHOUT the need to tie and untie tricky or complicated knots.

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[polara]

thank you very much for the info. I’m new at all this carpentry stuff and my truck only has a 5.5 foot bed. It’s a tundra. Do you think I could haul a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood in there and some long boards approximately 10 feet??

[auntjemima]

Have to go pick up 3, 12 foot lvl's so I thought I'd google how to haul 12 foot lumber in a 5 foot bed before doing so.. You just saved me $80 for delivery.. That deserves a new subscriber, thank you!

[aaronandbethrodgers]

Matt knows what he's doing. I work with him on a regular basis and he is one of those guys you just love being around. He has a wealth of knowledge, common sense, and good character.
Keep the videos coming so we can learn from you!

[randyhome]

I keep the tailgate up so the boards sticking past the truck bed keeps are elevated and this keeps them from running into a bumper, grill, or hood on an approaching car.

[thomassciurba]

This summer I got rid of my 20 year old pickup with a 8’ bed and bought a new Colorado with a 5’ bed. It has been a challenge, not just for long items but also sheet goods.

[MrStatic]

That strap trick is amazing. I’ve been doing it wrong for YEARS! Learn something new every day. Thanks!!!

[robbrundrett]

What a great idea. I've been a contractor for 35 years and your never to old to learn. I got a lot out of this video. I'm going to build me a hand tool box, love the look of yours. The strap tie, awesome! Warning flag, , , DAMN!!! All this stuff so simple., Today I'll be more prepared than yesterday! Thanks for sharing. I'll be passing these tips on to all my buddies.

[matthewallen]

This has got to be the most helpful video I've seen on how to transport long lumber. Thank you!

[_Appy_Mare]

Thank you for the awesome tutorial. I moved four 12' 2x6s with my long bed truck using this technique they did not move at all, even travelling 30 miles of twisty hilly road. I only used 3 straps and it worked great. I had the boards low at the front and on the closed tailgate. One strap up front to lock them down, 1 strap at the tailgate locking them down there and one front to back diagonally across the boards. It made me look like I actually knew what I was doing at Home Depot.

[chancecarlton]

That's a neat tip with the strap. For years I've gone over the stack and through the tailgate slot and hooked on my bumper. It works but your method is much easier to setup. Thanks.

[themikeroberts]

I use my mom's mini van for hauling stuff cause you can fit 4x8' pieces of sheet rock or plywood in it and even longer pieces of wood if you rest them on the center console between the drivers and passenger seat.

[SmokeFlame]

A great deal of effort went into the creation of this video and it's a good one. Good safety for the lumber hauler as well as traffic behind. Well done as usual.

[kurupt]

For those suggesting. I recently was in this situation not long ago. Tailgate was up still needed something to counterweight the load that overhangs the tailgate even while strapped down. I didn’t have anything an I had to have my wife drive while I sat on the lumber 🤦‍♂️. She got a kick out of it the whole drive home. Me, not so much. Great video and I will damn sure use this technique next time around. 👍👍👍

[ARepublicIfYouCanKeepIt]

Always straightforward, practical advice, Matt. Thanks for sharing.

Something I've done to take alerting those following of a long load is to make up a single trailer light, plug it into the hitch socket, and affix it to the load. I drive with my lights on, and whenever the brakes are applied, the already lit light on the end of the load is right in the face of those following. I'm also fond of activating my emergency flashers whenever people follow too closely. even without an overhanging load. The light on the end of the load also flashes when I do this.

[christophergruenwald]

I was in Rapid City the same day. Beautiful day for February. But then South Dakota weather catches back up and the following day was freezing rain, wind and snow. By the time I made it home back east river Sunday it was a whiteout blizzard.

[airtightindustries]

In the interest of safety, well done. That said, a practical faster method I have used many times is to keep the tail gate up and bridge the load from the gate to on top of the third brake light and strap down as desired. The secret is to place a floor mat between the lumber and brake light to protect the light and paint. My trucks have solid back windows, and I've used this trick many many times, even though I have a 16' flat deck trailer.
I'm just happy that you're serious in securing you're load, nothing scares me more then the Saturday diy crowd at home depot. I once saw a home gamer ride away from depot with 5pc of 10' valley flashing on a Honda Ruckus.

[DanielinLaTuna]

Nice setup. I do have a two axle utility flatbed trailer, though, that I haul behind my Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser.
When I have smaller loads, and the top off the LC, I’ll use straps like you showed and secure the lumber to the roll cage.
But when I need, like recently, to haul fifteen twenty foot 2X6 fascia boards home, nothing beats the trailer. Thanks for sharing. Daniel

[garryholmberg]

I have had a short bed pickup since 2012 and although I love my truck, I have always shied away from transporting lumber longer than 8 feet. I just couldn't see how I could transport 12 or 16 footers safely. But this approach is well thought out and secure. As for the few knuckleheads whose greatest gift in life is negativity, ignore them. Those types always need to tear things down to make themselves feel better, and they aren't going to change. But, for those of us who have struggled to, or desire to, transport 12-16 foot lumber with a short bed pickup your demonstration is much appreciated. I will be using your approach when I redo my deck this spring! Thank you!

[russmartin]

Genius solution. When you posted this video, I didn't have my truck. Now that I do, it is greatly appreciated.

[erniemartin]

This is nothing short of BRILLIANT! I have to transport a dozen 14 ft 2x6's and was looking to avoid paying the $90 delivery fee. I only live 2 miles from the lumber yard and this system will totally work for me! Thanks for sharing this technique.