Securing plywood in R1T bed

[yesimahuman]

I'm new to owning a pickup truck and just got an R1T a few weeks ago. Got the R1T in part because of its ability to fit full sheets of 8x4 plywood laying flat.

Cabinetry is one of my hobbies so I'm often moving heavy and expensive sheets of 3/4" plywood, but I've always rented a u-haul to move it in the past.

I'm looking for feedback on my practice sheet (see image). My thought is one strap will go around the bundle of sheets to keep them compressed together, and then two straps will go diagonal from a side anchor and then terminate at one of the lift gate metal brackets.

I'm definitely over thinking this but I want to act like I know what I'm doing next time I go to my plywood supplier and the fork lift guy helps me load up the truck. Appreciate any tips or feedback.

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[Nixapatfan]

Your setup is fine I just criss cross rear anchors the sheets don't move at all. With dimensional lumber you want to bundle it all together too.

I don't recommend using anything other than the anchor points on this truck for heavy loads.

 

[DuoRivians]

Make sure you leave an orange/red or visible flag at the end

 

[yesimahuman]

Make sure you leave an orange/red or visible flag at the end

Thank you, I have one so I'll make sure to do that!

 

[yesimahuman]

Your setup is fine I just criss cross rear anchors the sheets don't move at all. With dimensional lumber you want to bundle it all together too.

I don't recommend using anything other than the anchor points on this truck for heavy loads.

Thanks, that seems obvious in hindsight and I should be gentle on those liftgate hooks.

 

[swaggner]

If you haul often, you may want to get an extendable tailgate net. I have this one:

https://a.co/d/0chNNexu

 

[Rade]

That looks about right. Loaded enough long stuff in a pickup. The >only< think I miss from my Nissan Frontier was the flip-out bed extender. I used that to keep any long, skinny stuff (2x4's, fence posts,etc.) angled into the bed and secured.

I recently hauled several sheets of PVC lattice, along with the subsequent supports. I bungee corded the whole load.

What helps to keep the load from sliding is I bought an aftermarket rubber mat that is custom for the bed of the R1T. Whatever I've put in there is gripped enough to not slide out on acceleration (learned that lesson many years ago...). The strap around the trailing edge is still needed.

 

[Budman]

That is exactly how I’ve done it a bunch of times. I stick to lower speed roads though, no freeway for me.

 

[Robot Overlord]

If you haul often, you may want to get an extendable tailgate net. I have this one:

https://a.co/d/0chNNexu

I’ve been wondering about the metal flip-style bed extender. This netted option seems like it could work better for my occasional needs. The flip-style extender would work great for lots of containers or an ATV, but with the rounded corners I don’t think it would hold 4x8 sheets of plywood.

 

[BlueberryQuadzilla]

I use cambuckles vs ratchet straps. Usually cross two over the end of the ply on the rear of the bed to the rear anchor, and I’ll make an x front to rear so they can’t lift.

 

[bertwilly]

Rivian sells a cargo net with a working load of 1500 pounds. Get that.

 

[Rade]

Quite frankly, unless you are hauling long stuff frequently, the one I had on my Frontier was more of nuisance than anything. I usually kept it out of the truck unless I knew I needed to carry something long.

And thanks for the reminder, I still have a bungee cord cargo net around here somewhere! That would work great in the R1T!

 

[CharonPDX]

 

[SwampNut]

I put the tailgate up for full sheets and they stay just fine.

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