Is there a car that can haul sheet goods?

[Alex Franke]

...or do I really need a truck or trailer?

I've been warned to not try to drag a trailer with my current car -- They say "uni-body cars are not rated since they do not have the 'frame strenght' to tow large amounts."

We tried to haul some MDF sheets in a Ford Explorer last year and they didn't fit. (We had to put them on top.) I'm really looking for a family car/minivan that can double as a tool for hauling lumber and sheet goods when it's not hauling kids... Any ideas?

[pushrod]

Most of the minivans can carry 4X8 sheet, but it's a pain getting the stock in and out.

Depending on how much and how often you want to haul, you might want to look at the Avalanche, or a crew-cab truck.

[gwyneth]

I'm really looking for a family car/minivan that can double as a tool for hauling lumber and sheet goods when it's not hauling kids... Any ideas?

Assuming you're not intending to haul 20 sheets of MDF at once, the Dodge vans with the easily removable back seats should do it.

[tedkitch]

Get a Volvo, they can haul anything.

I have a 1992 SAAB 9000 and I've used it to haul 4 x 8 sheets before. I use a makeshift roof rack and a PVC "T" post that I can bungee to the back bumper that supports the back end of the sheet. I don't use it anymore since I purchased a mini-van. I always put that kind of stuff up on the roof of the mini-van now. Getting it in and out of the inside is too big of a pain.

[Thom2]

here ya go ....







or you could pick the updated model ......

[Stormbringer]

Dodge Magnum

[JSUPreston]

As long as it's not too much weight, a unibody can tow. I used to have a '96 Nissan Sentra that I put a receiver hitch on years ago that towed a decent size utility trailer. I used it during our move in late 2001. Worked well, until the axle on the trailer broke (no fault of the car...really old axles). Check the owner's manual, you may be surprised.

[jking]

What is your current car? I've had a hitch attached to a Ford Tempo before to pull a small U-Haul trailer. Not ideal, but, it can work.

For light loads where you just need to accomodate bulk, minivans are pretty effective. Even with a pickup you will max out load-wise sooner than you think. The Big Box stores will often have a flat bed pickup you can rent for the occasional need to haul something.

[vaking]

I used to have a Lumina APV minivan (no more). It's interior was almost exactly 4' wide. Standard sheet of anything is 8'x4'. Fitting a sheet inside was possible but with efforts and after few times you could see marks on the interior fabrics. I did not care as that minivan was dedicated to hauling stuff, not staff. If you plan to "double" this along with carrying kids - you would not like the combination. And I would not even think of a car. On top - that is a different story.

[Alex Franke]

Nice, Thom. I'd certainly be the talk of the neighborhood. =)

Have you all actually tried fitting sheet goods into these cars? I would have throught the Ford Explorer would fit a few (slightly more than) 4' wide MDF sheet, but it wasn't even close... (We ended up putting them on the roof, which made for an exciting drive home.)

What is your current car?

It's a '03 Lincoln LS. It's a V8 so there's enough power, but the manual says no towing kit is available because the car was not built for it.

[Wooden_Go]

...or do I really need a truck or trailer?

I've been warned to not try to drag a trailer with my current car -- They say "uni-body cars are not rated since they do not have the 'frame strenght' to tow large amounts."

We tried to haul some MDF sheets in a Ford Explorer last year and they didn't fit. (We had to put them on top.) I'm really looking for a family car/minivan that can double as a tool for hauling lumber and sheet goods when it's not hauling kids... Any ideas?

Alex... When I was in better shape I loaded 3/4" sheet on the roof of my cars. Even a VW Bug. Plus enough 2x12s and 10' 2-2s for a 300sft patio cover. That was on my Ford Taurus. I jiggered up a carrier rack from odds an ends.

[jking]

Nice, Thom. I'd certainly be the talk of the neighborhood. =)

Have you all actually tried fitting sheet goods into these cars? I would have throught the Ford Explorer would fit a few (slightly more than) 4' wide MDF sheet, but it wasn't even close... (We ended up putting them on the roof, which made for an exciting drive home.)



It's a '03 Lincoln LS. It's a V8 so there's enough power, but the manual says no towing kit is available because the car was not built for it.

Most full size SUV's will only fit 4' sheet diagonally (lower left to upper right), of course the hatch gets in the way of actually loading. When I had to load oak ply in my Explorer I had HD rip the sheet down the middle.

You probably could put a light-duty hitch on the Lincoln, the manual is probably written the way it is to keep someone from trying to tow heavy items (boats). What about a trailer for the Explorer?

[messmaker]

Most full size SUV's will only fit 4' sheet diagonally (lower left to upper right), of course the hatch gets in the way of actually loading. When I had to load oak ply in my Explorer I had HD rip the sheet down the middle.

You probably could put a light-duty hitch on the Lincoln, the manual is probably written the way it is to keep someone from trying to tow heavy items (boats). What about a trailer for the Explorer?

This is good advice. I Honda Civic will tow at least 1000#.I am sure the Lincon will do way more than that.

[Alex Franke]

Most full size SUV's will only fit 4' sheet diagonally (lower left to upper right), of course the hatch gets in the way of actually loading. When I had to load oak ply in my Explorer I had HD rip the sheet down the middle.

You probably could put a light-duty hitch on the Lincoln, the manual is probably written the way it is to keep someone from trying to tow heavy items (boats). What about a trailer for the Explorer?

I guess that's the question. If a full sized SUV can only fit it diagonally, then how can a minivan hold them flat?

The Explorer is actually my brother-in-law's -- he came to visit, so I said, "Let's go to Lowes!"

[Hoakie]

It's been a few years so I don't know if others have followed suit, but I think the Honda Odyssey was the only mini-van that a 4'x8' sheet would fit in. It was one of their marketing tools.

Depending on how frequent you hauling needs are, it might be worth taking advantage of the BORG's truck rental if yours has that. May be worth it if you have the storage to stock up on certain items.