which plywood for truck bed sides?

[newbury]

You're wasting your time building a rack out of wood. Not only do you need to figure the load but the forces involved with that load and road conditions. Hit a pot hole and that load gets doubled pretty quickly.
Used racks are a dime a dozen on E-bay craigs list etc.

Here's one for $260.00. You couldn't buy the lumber for that.

NEW CONTRACTOR PICKUP TRUCK TOOL LADDER LUMBER RACK | eBay

Once again, for those that didn't read. (Did the picture not show up?)
It's built. Less than $70. Designed to be easy to disassemble and put in the truck. Half the $$ were on hardware that's reusable. Partially copied from a couple of designs I found on the web. It's not going to be used for heavy loads. I was only asking for a recommendation on thickness of plywood for the sides.

I had been following used racks local to DC on CL for months. Rarely under $300, not always tall enough for a Superduty cab.

I've seen half a dozen other wood home built units, many weathered like they've been used for years.

 

[newbury]

Remember that you will have forces pushing the sheeting out as you drive faster too. For this reason I would fasten the sheets to the inside of your framework, with a space cut in for your toolbox. It may not be as pleasing to the eye, but it will be very secure.

I can't tell from the photo, but also make sure that the frame is secured to the bed. This is most important when transporting anything that could become a type of sail. Probably easiest to use screws with large washers through the access holes in the stake pockets, so that the frame is secure and you don't need to drill into the sheet metal.

Otherwise looks good!

Yes to all except the toolbox -
Planned on the wood being inside the frame.
Plan on moving the toolbox, it's too easy to break into and until I'm in a real low crime area it's more of an attractant for someone to break into and find out I've only a few jugs of oil stored in it.
I've got stud anchors for the access holes.

 

[yelbike]

Looks good to me! I would say don't over think it too much. But I like what curly dave said......don't drive it like a corvette and you'll be fine.

 

[Kitz]

Looks good to me! I would say don't over think it too much. But I like what curly dave said......don't drive it like a corvette and you'll be fine.

Same here

 

[newbury]

Looks good to me! I would say don't over think it too much. But I like what curly dave said......don't drive it like a corvette and you'll be fine.

It's my 2002 7.3L Diesel Dually Crew Cab. I call down to the engine room for more speed. It has all the maneuverability of a barge on the Tenn-Tom Waterway. It weighs about 7,000 lbs with a cold beverage, has a GVWR of 11,500, and I can put about 4,500 lbs in the bed. It's NOT sporty. It's built to haul. I allow LONG spaces in front and brake slowly, even when empty. It's sweet speed spot is about 65. If your behind me in traffic you'll probably cuss me as you pass.

For driving like a 'vette I've an '09 Jetta TDI.

 

[crazyal]

I had a rack like that I made for a canoe. Never had a problem with it, even when driving down the interstate at 75. You'll be fine. As for plywood I would use PT unless you want it to be light then marine grade 1/2" and coat it with epoxy.

 

[TRR]

I built a box (5' wide x 4' tall x 12' long) for my trailer to haul stuff that must stay dry. It's sat out in the weather from lots of heat all the way to snow. It was built from regular plywood and 2x4s - mostly whatever I had on hand. No marine grade. The sides I think are 3/8 ply, the roof was luan. However, the luan started growing mushrooms so it was replaced with 1/4 ply. I have gasket material wherever the panels come together. Other than replacing the luan roof, it is going on it's 3rd year and has traveled thousands of miles in all kinds of weather. Just keep it painted good - the object is to keep the wood dry and it'll last a long time.

 

[JDgreen227]

Newbury...your frame looks REALLY good, that compliment is coming from a retired carpenter. One query though: The 2X4's you used, were they SPF or SYP? SPF is standard spruce-pine-fir whitewood used in 2X4's like you buy for stud walls, SYP is Southern yellow pine that is much stronger, commonly used for roof trusses.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

The rack you built looks good, and looks real sturdy!... Nice Ford too!!!:thumbsup:

And I'm looking at it and thinking I could enclose it w/ removable plywood sides running to the top to increase my load size as I "ferry" stuff down to my retirement home. Basically a removable set of walls with a tarp strapped on top.

I'm not planning on using it for hauling firewood or stone, just cardboard boxed household items.

So my question, for any of you that have done similar - What thickness and type plywood do you think I'll need for 70mph and rain? Pressure treated?

Newbury,

What about using "decking boards" ??

They're PT, very strong and will hold up to the weather very well, and last a long time!!!... I built a firewood trailer several years ago and used decking boards for the sides!

You said you would be hauling "cardboard boxed household items", and you wouldn't have to put the decking boards against each other!... When driving empty the air would flow through the sides if you don't put them against each other!... Maybe about 3" apart.

A Google search showed this:... (Couldn't find any better pictures)

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You could use decking screws to bolt each board to the rack that you built!

Bill

 

[newbury]

Newbury...your frame looks REALLY good, that compliment is coming from a retired carpenter. One query though: The 2X4's you used, were they SPF or SYP? SPF is standard spruce-pine-fir whitewood used in 2X4's like you buy for stud walls, SYP is Southern yellow pine that is much stronger, commonly used for roof trusses.

Thanks.
Pressure treated from Home Depot, trong enough so I can suspend myself while hanging on the span in the rear.

The rack you built looks good, and looks real sturdy!... Nice Ford too!!!:thumbsup:

Newbury,

What about using "decking boards" ??<snip>

You could use decking screws to bolt each board to the rack that you built!

Bill

GREAT IDEA!!

But I just bought the plywood, 3/4 PT.

And I want to keep it so it's easy to dissassemble, so it's mostly bolts, nuts, washers, lock washers. With some anchor bolts and a few screws.