LumberJocks
DAILY DEALS Pen Press/Drilling Jig  |  Makita Makita Recon LCT203W 10.8 Volt Lithium Ion Impact Driver 2 Pc Kit

Truck bed riser for carrying plywood

Project by IcemanSam posted 565 days ago 585 views 3 times favorited 15 comments Add to Favorites Watch

My pickup is too small to carry plywood flat. I decided to build a platform to rise above the wheel wells. This is the finished project. I know it’s not a “woodworking” project, but it helps me get the sheetgoods home. It’s a simple 2×4 frame with eye-bolts for bungie cords to hold down the sheets. The cross member in the middle locks the whole unit into the truck bed fitting into one of the pre-formed slots in the liner. I did use half-lap joints for the board crossing the unit towards the front of the bed so the sheets can ride flat. I have used it once so far and it works perfectly. Amazingly helpful.

-- Sam, Texas


15 comments so far

View wiswood2's profile

wiswood2

84 posts in 592 days


posted 565 days ago

Nice job.
Chuck

-- Chuck, wiswood2 www.wisconsinwoodchuck.com

View kansas's profile

kansas

79 posts in 598 days


posted 565 days ago

Great idea. I currently have a 1/2 ton but with the price of fuel have been thinking of other options.

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9533 posts in 885 days


posted 565 days ago

That’s a great way of doing it. You can even carry 5’ square baltic birch.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View jockmike2's profile

jockmike2

7328 posts in 1143 days


posted 565 days ago

Great idea Ice, Thats why Gary likes it so much, he’s the master of invention around here. He might even be a little jealous he did’nt think of it first. LOL. mike

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

View tenontim's profile

tenontim

1319 posts in 641 days


posted 565 days ago

Nice idea, Sam. I’ve been thinking about making something similar for my small trailer, so the lumber yard can fork lift lumber onto it, without worrying about the sides of the trailer.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

View trifern's profile

trifern

7894 posts in 663 days


posted 565 days ago

Great solution!

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

View Scott Bryan's profile

Scott Bryan

20725 posts in 718 days


posted 565 days ago

Sam,

This is a nice project that is quite useful for sheet goods. I built something similar when I had a Ranger but it wasn’t anywhere near as nice as this.

Nice job.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile

Todd A. Clippinger

5648 posts in 996 days


posted 565 days ago

Genius, sheer genius.

Woodworkers are problem solvers for sure.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

View miles125's profile

miles125

1425 posts in 902 days


posted 565 days ago

Nice solution! Although you did commit the mortal sin of a woodworker buying a pickup that wouldn’t hold a sheet of plywood in the first place. Now say three hail marys and sin no more!

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""

View Brad_Nailor's profile

Brad_Nailor

1221 posts in 854 days


posted 565 days ago

Thats using your head. Sheet genius! I have to say I would have never bought a small p/u for the reason miles states…but with todays gas prices…I would trade my full size for a small truck with your invention!

-- David, South Windsor, CT "I love the smell of sawdust in the morning"

View jjohn's profile

jjohn

391 posts in 610 days


posted 565 days ago

I’ve also done this similar thing in the past. Works great. But this is a project. It’s forming wood into a useful product. Or, if you want to call it a jig…We like jigs too. LOL. Great idea. Believe it or not, I get as much inspiration from a simple jig as I do from a grand piano. (Not really, Gary…LOL). At least I might be able to build a jig.

-- JJohn

View Bruce's profile

Bruce

91 posts in 671 days


posted 565 days ago

Great WOODWORKING PROJECT! I thought about doing this too but the few times I’ve hauled sheet goods they fit pretty well sloped toward the front of the bed with the opposite end proped up on the tail gate. However, I have had to place a couple of 2 X 4’s under flimsier sheets. Maybe this will give me motivation to turn those 2 X’s into one of your frames. Thanks for posting.

View IcemanSam's profile

IcemanSam

19 posts in 657 days


posted 565 days ago

This was a fun WOODWORKING project (thanks jjohn for reminding me of that) and I am happy to hopefully have inspired. Thank you for all the great comments. Sorry Gary. lol

-- Sam, Texas

View bryano's profile

bryano

546 posts in 830 days


posted 565 days ago

Ive seen something similar to this, but it was made permanent. The guy put 3 drawers under it that ran the length of the bed. he water sealed the top with rubber matting. He keeps just about every thing in them and it stays dry. at the same time it leaves the top half of the bed free for ply wood or what ever elce.

-- bryano

View jcees's profile

jcees

552 posts in 695 days


posted 564 days ago

Nice going. Great way to adapt, improvise and overcome! Uurraaaahhh!

always,
J.C.

-- "Imagination is more important than knowledge" -- Albert Einstein

You must be signed in to post the comments.

  • View all advertisers
  • Advertise with us

DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

HomeRefurbers.com

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

GardenTenders.com :: gardening showcase