Possible bed problem with 4X8 plywood

[steffen707]

The plywood/drywall test is such an overused measure of the utility of a truck bed.

Its not a measure, its a standard. Can't haul a 4x8 sheet, your truck sucks. Now many don't use it for this purpose, but its also a starting place for other things like, how much sand, firewood, 1/2 off end of season plants you can fit into the bed.

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[steffen707]

but I'd much rather they spent their time making sure the bed of the Gladiator was adequate for hauling coolers, camping gear boxes, bikes/kayaks/etc and other outdoor gear, recovery gear, fishing gear, freezer fridges, a full load of firewood, can adequately support bed racks and can support a RTT with the full static weight of a 4-person family in it, can fit a 37-40" tire strapped down laying flat in the bed, can fit a full set of 5 oversize offroad tires and wheels when I replace the OEM stuff and haul it all to the tire shop, and on and on.

But they already did with after market carriers, tie down options, that cool "decked" box. The thing about camping gear and coolers, its smaller than a 4x8 sheet, so if a 4x8 sheet fits......so will your cooler, firewood, tire. Most of those items on your list are easily checked off by just having 4x8 sheet capability.

Dodge grand caravan can stow 2nd and 3rd row seats to haul plywood. Yes, i've done it. 4 expensive sheets from a minnesota company back to wisconsin. Also hauled this, panel clamp from Colorado to wisconsin, inside my grand caravan.

 

[jeepguy225]

Maybe Home Depot and Lowes will solve this riddle by selling 3.75 x 8 sheets of plywood and drywall that are priced slightly more than the regular 4x8 sheets or better yet, Mopar will make a $400 bump stop for the front of the bed!

 

[steffen707]

Maybe Home Depot and Lowes will solve this riddle by selling 3.75 x 8 sheets of plywood and drywall that are priced slightly more than the regular 4x8 sheets or better yet, Mopar will make a $400 bump stop for the front of the bed!

 

[Dryfly24]

For those that don’t think having the ability to haul plywood is a necessity or even a desirable trait on a pickup: News flash - you probably don’t really need a truck at all. . .

 

[Centexan]

Agreed. I get that they are selling this as a "Lifestyle Vehicle." However, for many of us, it will also be our daily driver, and will get used for many tasks, including the occasional home improvement project, which may involve sheeted goods--plywood, drywall, pegboard, latice, beadboard, etc.

Having a single vehicle that can handle that as well as tow a small travel trailer, or boat, or ovalanding gear, or dirtbikes, or kayaks, or (insert fun activity toy here) and can be taken off road has a lot of appeal.

 

[Dryfly24]

Agreed. I get that they are selling this as a "Lifestyle Vehicle." However, for many of us, it will also be our daily driver, and will get used for many tasks, including the occasional home improvement project, which may involve sheeted goods--plywood, drywall, pegboard, latice, beadboard, etc.

Having a single vehicle that can handle that as well as tow a small travel trailer, or boat, or ovalanding gear, or dirtbikes, or kayaks, or (insert fun activity toy here) and can be taken off road has a lot of appeal.

Excellent post. Saved me the trouble of saying it...

 

[BlckJT]

Agreed. I get that they are selling this as a "Lifestyle Vehicle." However, for many of us, it will also be our daily driver, and will get used for many tasks, including the occasional home improvement project, which may involve sheeted goods--plywood, drywall, pegboard, latice, beadboard, etc.

Having a single vehicle that can handle that as well as tow a small travel trailer, or boat, or ovalanding gear, or dirtbikes, or kayaks, or (insert fun activity toy here) and can be taken off road has a lot of appeal.

I agree. Not to mention the same vehicle allowing you to seat up to 5, able to drive on the street and off-road, remove the top-doors-lower hood. I will need to haul some dirt/mulch for the yearly yard work, some 2x4's for fencing or some structure I wanna build, and some drywall for the possible basement project. All in all I don't need a truck, but it would come in handy especially know its my daily driver and can do all the other things mentioned.

 

[steffen707]

I agree. Not to mention the same vehicle allowing you to seat up to 5, able to drive on the street and off-road, remove the top-doors-lower hood. I will need to haul some dirt/mulch for the yearly yard work, some 2x4's for fencing or some structure I wanna build, and some drywall for the possible basement project. All in all I don't need a truck, but it would come in handy especially know its my daily driver and can do all the other things mentioned.

I've never owned a truck. I've hauled the same 5x8 with 4 foot sidewalls utility trailer for 10 years with a 1998 CRV, 2000 Honda Civic sedan, 2000 Jetta TDI, 2008 Grand Caravan. I've hauled 1500 lbs of garbage to the dump in this trailer with my Jetta (short distance). I've hauled a commercial oven 300 miles with the Jetta and trailer. There's not much I couldn't get done with a car and trailer.

Do I "NEED" a truck....nope, but damn would it have made my life easier, especially over the last 5 years with lots of projects, remodeling house before selling. Fixing up new house, ect.

 

[drogers]

I've never owned a truck. I've hauled the same 5x8 with 4 foot sidewalls utility trailer for 10 years with a 1998 CRV, 2000 Honda Civic sedan, 2000 Jetta TDI, 2008 Grand Caravan. I've hauled 1500 lbs of garbage to the dump in this trailer with my Jetta (short distance). I've hauled a commercial oven 300 miles with the Jetta and trailer. There's not much I couldn't get done with a car and trailer.

Do I "NEED" a truck....nope, but damn would it have made my life easier, especially over the last 5 years with lots of projects, remodeling house before selling. Fixing up new house, ect.

While I technically have room for a trailer, I and the wife would both be very annoyed by it taking up all that driveway space 99% of the time when it’s not needed. Different strokes....

 

[chrcal14]

While I technically have room for a trailer, I and the wife would both be very annoyed by it taking up all that driveway space 99% of the time when it’s not needed. Different strokes....

Whatchoo talkin' bout drogers?

 

[5JeepsAz]

This is not a Toyota we're talking about. Jeep is actually building this cargo box out of steel, so the odds of cracking it by hauling plywood are extremely small. I guarantee it'll take a beating.

I don't know if this is off thread. But I think they built steel as much for the tortion as anything except balance. This is a nose heavy tail waggging SOB coming down a two track fast. I'll bet lighter alloys deformed under stress, and felt like it was going ass over tea kettle to the driver. My 2 cents.

PS .practice your ice & mud techniques. Nothing like spinning a 65 grand Rubiminto a rock shelf or day barrier.

 

[Lou3.6]

I've never owned a truck. I've hauled the same 5x8 with 4 foot sidewalls utility trailer for 10 years with a 1998 CRV, 2000 Honda Civic sedan, 2000 Jetta TDI, 2008 Grand Caravan. I've hauled 1500 lbs of garbage to the dump in this trailer with my Jetta (short distance). I've hauled a commercial oven 300 miles with the Jetta and trailer. There's not much I couldn't get done with a car and trailer.

Do I "NEED" a truck....nope, but damn would it have made my life easier, especially over the last 5 years with lots of projects, remodeling house before selling. Fixing up new house, ect.

Kidding of course, but I can see all the towns-people gathered along the Commercial street waiting in anticipation for your trip back home fully-loaded trailer behind . . . ! ? What was he thinking ? NOW, once you finally have your Gladiator you will be so GLAD, and all the pressure will be off your shoulders . . . again kidding of course .

 

[steffen707]

While I technically have room for a trailer, I and the wife would both be very annoyed by it taking up all that driveway space 99% of the time when it’s not needed. Different strokes....

No, i think you missed my point. A regular guy can get by with a cheap trailer for a long time, but a truck would be ideal. So this truck better haul a 4x8 sheet, or else i gotta pull my trailer out of the back yard, which is a pain.

 

[steffen707]

Kidding of course, but I can see all the towns-people gathered along the Commercial street waiting in anticipation for your trip back home fully-loaded trailer behind . . . ! ? What was he thinking ? NOW, once you finally have your Gladiator you will be so GLAD, and all the pressure will be off your shoulders . . . again kidding of course .

Couldn't find the picture with 1500 lbs of building material garbage going to the dump, but did find the other 2. Great trailer from lowes 10 years ago.
Oh, and the john deere was when i drove from wisconsin to get a GX345 with powerflow bagger for $4300. It was about $1500 less than any deal i could find locally. Good times. Oh and a new photo of the JD just for good measure. 40" berco snowblower, curtis cab, got a heater too.

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