[brownaddesign]

I have a short bed Crew Cab Canyon and have 32 2x6x8 boards to pick up. Would you leave the tailgate up and load them at an angle with the boards resting on the closed tailgate? I've hauled 16 2x6x8's that way, but wasn't sure if 32 would put too much weight on the closed tailgate.

Or would you lower the tailgate and load them flat? If so, would just crossing a ratchet strap under/around the load near the tailgate and hooking it to the rear hooks be sufficient in keeping any 2x6's from sliding out?

 

[gherbert]

I was shocked to find this out when I looked up the weight:

A 2x6x8 board weighs approximately 18.72 lbs

But of course of an angle and wind pressing down on it.... Way to long long since I did all that math

 

[shtboxbrz]

I did a bunch of 2"x10' conduits and loop the strap around the hook so the tailgate was slightly up and wrapped 2 tie down straps around it all and ratcheted it all down. Dont for get your flag on the end too. YMMV

 

[CaryBosse]

At 8 foot, that many, I am lazy. I would put tailgate down and load away.

Would probably be fine with tailgate up, but between the straps you might use and bouncing down the highway, be just my luck it would bend some sheet metal.

 

[ARCowboy]

I have a short bed Crew Cab Canyon and have 32 2x6x8 boards to pick up. Would you leave the tailgate up and load them at an angle with the boards resting on the closed tailgate? I've hauled 16 2x6x8's that way, but wasn't sure if 32 would put too much weight on the closed tailgate.

Or would you lower the tailgate and load them flat? If so, would just crossing a ratchet strap under/around the load near the tailgate and hooking it to the rear hooks be sufficient in keeping any 2x6's from sliding out?

I wouldnt personally load 600# on the tailgate. I would lay the tailgate down and run a strap around them, ratchet it down tight. Then attach straps to that strap to hooks, if that makes sense.

 

[EmersonHart13]

Flat with a flag

 

[lakesean]

I think you're fine with the tailgate up. It's easier to get around corners, it's easier to secure, you don't have to worry about it sliding off when you accelerate, and you can still use your backup camera. I've carried 1x6x12 moulding that way. One bungee cord tying them together so they don't flap around (not really an issue for what you're carrying) and one ratchet strap across the back of the bed to hold them down.

At 18.72lbs the total weight come out to less than 600lbs. That's like having 2-3 of your friends sitting on top of the tailgate. Even with that much, the tailgate isn't taking the full weight. The pressure is spread out between where the wood contacts the tailgate and where it contacts the bed.

One other option to add to the mix, you can put the tailgate halfway down.

 

[ForteDJ]

For short bed, you're loading just below 75% (73%) of 8' board weight directly down onto your tailgate with it up. At roughly 450 lbs, probably not the end of the world. I think you're fine either method, but your call obviously. If stack of lumber is above lowest tie-downs, flat is nice and easy to load and secure.

FYI, for those with long beds loading 8' lumber/sheet goods, the weight drops to 62% weight onto your tailgate with it up.

And yes, I proved 0=0 to verify rest of my calcs were correct. Boards/sheets are also distributed loads, not point loads, but ran it as a point load for simplicity. Anyone that feels like finding the answer using a correct distributed load, feel free to do so. LOL

 

[WV NATIVE]

For short bed, you're loading just below 75% (73%) of 8' board weight directly down onto your tailgate with it up. At roughly 450 lbs, probably not the end of the world. I think you're fine either method, but your call obviously. If stack of lumber is above lowest tie-downs, flat is nice and easy to load and secure.

FYI, for those with long beds loading 8' lumber/sheet goods, the weight drops to 62% weight onto your tailgate with it up.

And yes, I proved 0=0 to verify rest of my calcs were correct. Boards/sheets are also distributed loads, not point loads, but ran it as a point load for simplicity. Anyone that feels like finding the answer using a correct distributed load, feel free to do so. LOL

View attachment 440795

Ok. I gotta ask. What they heck do you do for a living? Your mind is light years ahead of mine. 😞

 

[gherbert]

For short bed, you're loading just below 75% (73%) of 8' board weight directly down onto your tailgate with it up. At roughly 450 lbs, probably not the end of the world. I think you're fine either method, but your call obviously. If stack of lumber is above lowest tie-downs, flat is nice and easy to load and secure.

FYI, for those with long beds loading 8' lumber/sheet goods, the weight drops to 62% weight onto your tailgate with it up.

And yes, I proved 0=0 to verify rest of my calcs were correct. Boards/sheets are also distributed loads, not point loads, but ran it as a point load for simplicity. Anyone that feels like finding the answer using a correct distributed load, feel free to do so. LOL

View attachment 440795

That brings back memories

Did lots of that until I got
My Bachelors of Science in Mathematics

 

[ForteDJ]

Ok. I gotta ask. What they heck do you do for a living? Your mind is light years ahead of mine. 😞

Lol. I'm a civil engineer, couple years out of school. Statics problems like this are one of my favorites and haven't gotten to do them much since being out of school.

That brings back memories

Did lots of that until I got
My Bachelors of Science in Mathematics

Haha hopefully good memories! Did you start in engineering or did you do these in physics classes?

 

[gherbert]

Lol. I'm a civil engineer, couple years out of school. Statics problems like this are one of my favorites and haven't gotten to do them much since being out of school.



Haha hopefully good memories! Did you start in engineering or did you do these in physics classes?

I started in the Engineering Program.... And transfered to the Mathematics Program

But did those problems in all three the Engineering Classes, Mathematic Classes and Physics Classes

 

[somekindaguy]

I'll remember to ask for your help when I have a question similar to this one!

 

[CaryBosse]

...

At 18.72lbs the total weight come out to less than 600lbs. That's like having 2-3 of your friends sitting on top of the tailgate. Even with that much, the tailgate isn't taking the full weight. The pressure is spread out between where the wood contacts the tailgate and where it contacts the bed.

One other option to add to the mix, you can put the tailgate halfway down.

But do your friends stand on the top of the tailgate with it closed, and the lumber is probably a little less forgiving the most of our tushes.

@ForteDJ

I am over 40 years out of mechanical engineering school. I used statics once, about 14 years after I graduated. It was tough. Glad someone still remembers the calculations.

 

[Tom S.]

I would personally load 600# on the tailgate. I would lay the tailgate down and run a strap around them, ratchet it down tight. Then attach straps to that strap to hooks, if that makes sense.

Flat with a flag

These two are how I would do it.

 

[fjm568]

Just don't do it like this. Lol

 

[Toughsox]

You bought a truck to be a truck. Load it up, either way you mentioned will not hurt your truck.

 

[lakesean]

But do your friends stand on the top of the tailgate with it closed, and the lumber is probably a little less forgiving the most of our tushes.

@ForteDJ

I am over 40 years out of mechanical engineering school. I used statics once, about 14 years after I graduated. It was tough. Glad someone still remembers the calculations.

Depends... when was their last drink?

 

[littleblazer]

For short bed, you're loading just below 75% (73%) of 8' board weight directly down onto your tailgate with it up. At roughly 450 lbs, probably not the end of the world. I think you're fine either method, but your call obviously. If stack of lumber is above lowest tie-downs, flat is nice and easy to load and secure.

FYI, for those with long beds loading 8' lumber/sheet goods, the weight drops to 62% weight onto your tailgate with it up.

And yes, I proved 0=0 to verify rest of my calcs were correct. Boards/sheets are also distributed loads, not point loads, but ran it as a point load for simplicity. Anyone that feels like finding the answer using a correct distributed load, feel free to do so. LOL

View attachment 440795

Man... I wish my hand writing was that neat through physics. Lot of fun with that class though... the subsequent years of torture not so much however. Very elegant.

 

[ForteDJ]

Man... I wish my hand writing was that neat through physics. Lot of fun with that class though... the subsequent years of torture not so much however. Very elegant.

First compliment I’ve ever gotten on handwriting. Thanks. Learned through many classes to keep work at least somewhat organized, especially complex dynamics problems. So many sheets per question sometimes.

But do your friends stand on the top of the tailgate with it closed, and the lumber is probably a little less forgiving the most of our tushes.

@ForteDJ

I am over 40 years out of mechanical engineering school. I used statics once, about 14 years after I graduated. It was tough. Glad someone still remembers the calculations.

Even this simple problem took me a few minutes to remember approach and best axes to use.