Question for people that use their trucks as trucks

[rick1956]

Okay, this isn't a question for those of you that have the beautiful, bagged, custom painted beauties I'm so jealous of, it's for those of you that use their trucks.

Anybody got tips for hauling 20' of steel angle? Nothing heavy really--I'm only looking to haul 7 or 8 pieces of 1.25"x1.25" or 1.5"x1.5" that are 1/8" thick. It's mostly about support. I don't want to cut them for transport.

I know how long the truck is, and I know that I could do it with a lumber rack (which I'm not about to buy), but I'm wondering about ways to temporarily utilize the existing stake holes in my fleetside LB.

I'm competent with wood and with welding, but the simpler the better--Mainly because who knows when I may use it again. In short, I'd like it to be easily dismantled.

I'm assuming I will need some sort of support that mounts under the front bumper (so it's out of sight) to carry the front of the wobbly mass. Maybe something that goes in and out with a pin retainer?

Any tips or web links to tips would be appreciated!

[powerdriver 1958]

Do you know any body that will loan you a car trailer,that would be the Safest or maybe someone that has ladder racks on a pickup? short of that may be something like this

[powerdriver 1958]

Do you know any body that will loan you a car trailer,that would be the Safest or maybe someone that has ladder racks on a pickup? short of that maybe something like this

[78 Chevyrado]

I use a trailer for longer than 12 foot stuff.
I don't know if this would interest you, but maybe you could make one of these, it goes in your reciever hitch:
http://www.discountramps.com/hitch-t...LAID=298240550


I also have seen a slick setup on a van around here that carrys long lengths or rebar. They had brackets that came out from underneath the sides of the van and carried the rebar along side the van low enough the doors could open, and it was full length.

[Restrorob]

Three of these;





One at the back of the bed, One at the front of the bed, Raise the hood to get to the holes in the inside of the fender.

Wrap the angle together with duct tape in 4 or 5 places down the length, Wrap 3 old towels around the angle held with duct tape at the rear and front of the bed and one at the front fender.

Put one strap hook in the hole in the bottom/side of the stake pocket, Lift the rear end of the angle up and wrap the strap around the angle twice then put that hook in the pocket. Go to the front fender and do the same with the holes inside the fender, Then get the bed front.

You can carefully close the hood on the strap without damage, The towels will keep the angle from scratching up the side of the truck. Drive like grandpaw and you shouldn't have any problems.

[dammitmitchell]

if i have long lumber or pipe or basically anything that goes over the cab of my truck (cause i dont wanna poke anyone eyes out by havin it hang out the back)
i roll a nomal size towel over the cab edge so the pipe will all lay on that and not ruin the metal or paint..
then i secure the rear end of the load with a ratchet strap..
the front is "cinched" down with a truckers knot..
im not "that old" but ive never had a problem..
good luck

[rick1956]

Thanks guys, good stuff!
Restrorob, nice detail--Good reason to always carry those trusty tiedowns

I've just found out that I have access to a free lumber rack. While I'm not a fan of those things, I do have room to store one so I most likely will get that. I do still need to extend my load-carrying length quite a ways farther forward so I'm going to see what I can come up with this weekend to mount to the front (detachable of course).
I'll post pictures if I actually succeed.

Thanks again guys.

[TexasJeff]

You could make your own ladder rack out of wood using the stake pockets, make it just taller than the cab and lay the steel on that. Then use your tie downs to secure it.

[grinch4om]

borrow or rent a car trailer...way less headache