Driving With Rear Window Open??

[Stetson]

I need to pick up some lumber. I need some 2x6 boards for my deck. If I use the Expy, I will need to have the boards hang out the back with the rear window open and drive that way to get home.

Are there any precautions that I need to take? Have you done this? How fast could I drive with the rear window glass open?

 

[bb37]

I've done it. OTOH, I'm only about 3 miles from the Lowe's store where I picked up the lumber.

The biggest issue is that the back of your vehicle sucks. That's why it gets dirty. With the rear window open, you risk pulling exhaust fumes into the vehicle. Running with all the windows open would help. You might be able to mitigate that problem by running the HVAC fan on high speed with recirculation OFF so that it pulls in fresh air.

Try to tie the window down with bungee cords or ropes. It may not stay closed against your lumber while driving and you don't want it crashing down as you start driving. That could leave little pebbles of glass on pavement for you to clean up.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Try to tie the window down with bungee cords or ropes. It may not stay closed against your lumber while driving and you don't want it crashing down as you start driving. That could leave little pebbles of glass on pavement for you to clean up.

^^THIS^^

I would NEVER, EVER suggest that anyone drive anywhere with the rear window open unless it is tied up or down, but be sure not to get it TOO tight, because if you hit a pothole or take a tight corner too fast, it could cause the vehicle to bounce or flex and therefore crack/shatter the glass in short order....

 

[hyattdj]

I need to pick up some lumber. I need some 2x6 boards for my deck. If I use the Expy, I will need to have the boards hang out the back with the rear window open and drive that way to get home.

Are there any precautions that I need to take? Have you done this? How fast could I drive with the rear window glass open?

actually, when I am driving with lumber and I don't have my pickup... I roll down the front passenger window all the way, lay down the front seat and feed them back into the rear of the vehicle. I have done this with 10' and 12' pipes, 2x4s and 4x4's many times in many vehicles. If you want to really be cautious, staple a red flag on the outer one out the window.

 

[LG_123]

I’ve driven with lumber sticking out the rear window. The hydraulic arm keeps it up. I always have the lumber yard staple an orange flag to the longest piece.

There’s a regulation about what distance from the back of the vehicle requires the orange flag but I can’t remember exactly what it is.

 

[chuck s]

I carried my adult daughter's kayak in the back of my short wheelbase Expedition. Yeah, I couldn't shut the hatch. Discovered my current Expedition lacks any tiedowns that the former had. Used every knot I knew and made up others. (Maybe 30 miles.)

-- Chuck

 

[JKH13]

I need to pick up some lumber. I need some 2x6 boards for my deck. If I use the Expy, I will need to have the boards hang out the back with the rear window open and drive that way to get home.

Are there any precautions that I need to take? Have you done this? How fast could I drive with the rear window glass open?

With my 24 Max 4x, Limtd I drive short distances ( 5mi.) w/o incidence with lumber out the rear glass opng.