How does the truck bed work?

[Teach]

Pickup newbie question... How would the Slate fit a full size 4 x 8 wood panel? Or, will it?

 

[GaRailroader]

Pickup newbie question... How would the Slate fit a full size 4 x 8 wood panel? Or, will it?

It will. What you do is cut (2) 2x4s the width of the bed above the wheel wells. Probably around 50 inches. You use these (2) 2x4s crosswise across the bed to provide a shelf above the wheel wells. You will notice the side of the bed has pockets for these 2x4s to lay in. When you haul 4x8 sheets you lay them on these transverse 2x4s and that way the sheet sits in there nice and straight. Bed is 5 feet long so you have 3 feet of material extending beyond the bed. The tailgate is probably 16 inches or so, which would leave 20 inches beyond the tailgate. I usually put a strap on the end of the plywood to prevent it from
sliding out if I take off too quickly. Most states require you to put a red flag on your load if you extend more than 3 feet beyond the tailgate. When I have owned compact trucks, I kept 2x4s in my garage cut to size for use when hauling sheet goods.

 

[GaRailroader]

Maverick had a clever design feature on their tailgate which let you secure it at about a 45 degree angle to support lading that was being carried above the wheel wells in this fashion. That would be a cool feature for Slate to incorporate.

 

[Teach]

It will. What you do is cut (2) 2x4s the width of the bed above the wheel wells. Probably around 50 inches. You use these (2) 2x4s crosswise across the bed to provide a shelf above the wheel wells. You will notice the side of the bed has pockets for these 2x4s to lay in. When you haul 4x8 sheets you lay them on these transverse 2x4s and that way the sheet sits in there nice and straight. Bed is 5 feet long so you have 3 feet of material extending beyond the bed. The tailgate is probably 16 inches or so, which would leave 20 inches beyond the tailgate. I usually put a strap on the end of the plywood to prevent it from
sliding out if I take off too quickly. Most states require you to put a red flag on your load if you extend more than 3 feet beyond the tailgate. When I have owned compact trucks, I kept 2x4s in my garage cut to size for use when hauling sheet goods.

Thank you for your informational response!

 

[KingCarlosXIII]

Maverick had a clever design feature on their tailgate which let you secure it at about a 45 degree angle to support lading that was being carried above the wheel wells in this fashion. That would be a cool feature for Slate to incorporate.

As a current Maverick owner, can confirm. Works great.

 

[Luxrage]

Ford used to have spots molded into the Ranger's bed-liner intended for putting 2x4s across that made a flat load floor for plywood that was at the same height as the wheel wells. Would be nice if slate did the same.