Lumber rack?

[findtheriver]

I've searched the archives and read through many roof rack posts, but didn't see anything about installing a lumber rack on a '91 Explorer XLT. Has anyone done this before? I'm just looking for something to carry a few sheets of plywood or drywall, nothing too heavy.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated- thank you

 

[espnfreak]

Are you a carpenter? How often are you going to be hauling wood?

 

[twomedicine]

Maybe an idea that can be built on

Maybe, if you are not doing this everyday as a carpenter might, take a couple of 2"x4"x8' and lay them on end, in parallel to each other, and perpendicular to the stock rack cross-members. Rope them down with 4 square lashings (or you could even get some u-bolts) to the cross-members. Then place a sheet of plywood on top as a deck before placing the drywall for subsequent fastening with rope.

I think the roof racks are rated for 250lbs

 

[findtheriver]

Thanks for the replies. While I'm not a carpenter by trade, I've done a lot of remodeling work, and I have a couple of big projects that I'll be working on over the next 6-8 months.

For all the big lumber shipments, I can arrange delivery through friends, but for the occasional plywood run it would be nice to just load it on top of the Explorer. No money in the budget for a pickup right now, so I was hoping that there was a rack out there for this application.

twomedicine, I'm going to try out your suggestion. If the roof racks will support 250 pounds, that should be sufficient, and I appreciate the help.

 

[Alec]

It's 100 lbs on the stock rack.

Someone made a custom triangular brace for the inside of the truck so he can load in 4x8s at the correct angle to fit well, bungie, and go. This was discussed last week, may help to use the search feature for "plywood" or something like that.

 

[LStoudenmire]

I have the Yakima bars and towers and have placed two or three sheets of 1/2" plywood and 5 or 6 2"x4" on the bars with no problems.

 

[jasonb]

yep.. that was me with the triangle brace. works like a charm. i've put as many as 10 sheets of 3/4" ply in the back of my 2dr without a problem. i do this regularly by the way. it goes in as easy as it does with a pickup truck.. getting them out is a little tougher..

here's the other thread.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=92300&highlight=4x8*+plywood

 

[X~FACTOR]

Do you have a picture of that triangular brace? Have you ever gotten a ticket for having loads with the hatch open? I plan to buy some sheetrocks and need to plan on how to bring them home from Home Depot.

 

[taxx]

Originally posted by LStoudenmire
I have the Yakima bars and towers and have placed two or three sheets of 1/2" plywood and 5 or 6 2"x4" on the bars with no problems.

same here, biggest I had up there was 6 sheets of plywood and 10 2x4s. suspension felt it but the rack held up fine. you could get the canoe side thingys that hold a canooe up there (just little L-Brackets) and space them out for a 4x8 sheet to hold it from side to side sliding.

But loading thme in the back would be much easier.

 

[jasonb]

a ticket for that? is that illegal near you? i guess i should check into it, but i have had a cop behind me before and he didn't pull me over. dunno about that one... i would think its the same as carrying loads with a tailgate down. i'll try to get a pic. the garage is a MESS right now so i'll have to dig it out (finishing up a remodel of the living room).

 

[taxx]

if it hangs out around here as long as you have a red flag on it you are fine. regardles if it sis a law or not red flag is a good idea if you don't want someone that doesn't notcie big pieces of wood sticking out to ram into them and sever your head with a piece of plywood. sure some people m,ight miss the flag, but hey its a start!

 

[Alec]

In most states if the load hangs out 6" past the rear of the vehicle you need a flag.

In addition to a flag I also put a flashing red bicycle LED if I was carrying long loads at night. Of course, someone still hit me Luckily the wood didn't come forward, and they needed a new hood and bumper.

 

[findtheriver]

Thanks for all the suggestions, and the link to the "plywood" post.

I often have the back of the vehicle loaded with tools and other materials, so I was thinking about a lumber rack. But now I'm not so sure, given the 100 lb. max and the wind resistance factor. Hate to take flight as I'm driving down the freeway.

The triangle support idea would be fine, except for having to clear out the back of the truck. I think I'll take a look at the Yakima rack that others have mentioned, and go from there.

Great site- thanks again

 

[Alec]

With the triangle brace, you could engineer it so that you have plenty of room for tools under the wood, in the "triangle".

 

[jasonb]

i never clear mine out to haul the lumber. then again, i have a cargo box/false floor to hold all my crap. heck.. i even have a 33" spare tire back there and still can haul the lumber fine. so i think you'll be ok. there is no engineering involved really.. i'll get a pic and show you. you'll laugh at the simplicity. its kind of like a short sawhorse. i really did just use scrap 2x4s and 2x6 pieces that i had around the shop.

heres a pic of the false floor/cargo area just to give you an idea..

 

[EBInterceptor]

As far as using canoe braces for the roof rack, Thule and Yakima both have "load stops" for their rack systems for the purpose of putting lumber or ladders on their rack systems. When I had my 4 dr., I would just lay them flat and use straps to keep the door closed and to keep the 4'x8's from falling out. I haven't yet tried using my Sport to carry 4'x8'. If you can use them them when they're cut, I suggest cutting them to 4'x4' and it'll fit perfectly in the back, otherwise ripping them to 2'x8' fit nicely running out the window with not much hanging out. The window will also close right over the wood too. Made sure to use a towel and a strap to prevent the window from bouncing on the wood and shattering.

 

[twomedicine]

roof rack load limit

I just read my 1999 owner's manual with regards to the roof rack's weight limit. It says that it will take an evenly distributed load of 200lbs.

Clearly, it's hard on the back loading 4x8 sheets atop a vehicle if by yourself. Maybe if you cantilever the loading deck towards the rear of the vehicle the sheets could be first leaned on it and then slid up into place.

2med

 

[findtheriver]

Great suggestions. It just seems like whenever I've got the mitre saw, table saw, planer and a couple of large tool boxes in the back is the time I'm passing by Home Depot at 8:50 p.m. Maybe I just need to plan better.

The triangle arrangement makes a lot of sense, and I like the cargo area you built, Jason. For those with the Yakima rack setup, have you experienced any problems on the freeway? Do you have to get FAA clearance before merging?

Thanks all

 

[X~FACTOR]

Originally posted by jasonb
heres a pic of the false floor/cargo area just to give you an idea..

How much does that thing weigh, Jason? Does it bounce up and down when you hit a bump?