How do you transport plywood with a small car?

[Poiuyt]

I need to pick up a couple of sheets of plywood from the lumber yard, but I only have a small Toyota Celica with no roof rack (and no rain gutters for easily attaching one). I could rent a truck, but that would probably end up costing more than the plywood itself. Does anyone have a good solution? Could I just put a blanket on top of my car and lash the plywood down with rope?

Thanks

[trotsky]

1. How far and can you use residential roads the whole way?

To stabilize the plywood, you could put a pair of 2x4s above and below the stack, then make sure you drive as slowly as possible.

Otherwise ask a friend with a truck!

[underpants]

2. NOT like this

This was one of the earlier standard e-mail photos everyone received from friends.

[expatriot]

3. how far do you have to go?

if it is a very short distance (a few blocks) just balance on top of car and hold it with your arm out the window and just drive very slowly.

Might be a sucky suggestion, sorry.

[expatriot]

4. oh yeah, i forgot.... .good luck! nt

[Wickerman]

5. Yeah, that is a sucky suggestion

:D sorry, but its pretty much bound for failure. On NPR CarTalk the other weekend they discussed this method. Talked about a guy who tried to carry 6 sheets like that. Drove very slow, back roads, etc. For some reason he hit the brakes too hard and the sheets cascaded off the roof, onto the hood of his car and managed to take off the grill, headlights, bumpers, etc.

I have to admit I also tried it once. The sheer wind it generates even at low speeds is tough.

2nd best way to do it is put down padding and tie it down. First best way is find a friend with a pick up or rent one.

[bleedingheart]

6. in pieces small enough to fit in the trunk...

;-)

[dr.strangelove]

7. Cut them at the store to make it easier

If you plan to cut them, most wood supply stores will cut the wood to size for you for free or for a small fee. Often the yard guys will do it for a small tip. If you are in a large supply shop liek Home Depot, they do this for free. If you need the whole sheets, consider going to a large supply shop like Home Depot, they usually rent a truck for a nominal amount (under $20).

[MADem]

8. Will the lumberyard deliver?

Failing that, you can rent a truck at Home Depot for twenty bucks an hour and get your materials there (if you have one nearby). Might be the best bet--if you need any other large items, buy them, haul them, leave them at your house, race back to Home Depot, and retrieve your car...

[Ready4Change]

9. Blanket the roof, then tie it 4 ways.

First, before putting the plywood on the roof, wrap ties around the plywood itself. Both along it's length and across it's width. This makes sure the plywood won't slide out from under the ties.

Now, put on the blanket, then put the plywood ontop.

Open all the car doors (ie: don't tie the doors shut by passing rope through the open windows. Been there. Done that. :eyes: )

Now attach rope between the ties at the front of the plywood and the front bumper. This keeps the wood from sliding backwards when you hit the gas.

Do the same at the back with the back bumper. This keeps the wood from sliding forwards when you hit the brakes.

Tie rope between the side ties, through the open doors. When you close the doors this rope will tighten and keep the wood from sliding side to side during turns.

DO NOT just throw rope over the top of the plywood and expect it to stay in place. The wood will slide out from underneath it.

Tied my way you can take the wood home at reasonable highway speeds, unless you have a VERY small car.

I used to work at the customer pickup door for large items similar to this. I never had a customer report a load lost when I tied it down this way.