Hauling 8 foot goods in a non-max Expedition

[Andy B]

I have a 2023 Expedition Limited. (not the max) Let's say I wanted to haul plywood, what's the smart way to do that? Because the lifgate is motorized it "seems" unwise to simply close it down on to the plywood and secure it. Is this what people do? Will it damage anything?

Second, if I have long thin items (2x4s for example) same question, but about the rear window.

Sorry if this is newb stuff but I am paranoide about doing something dumb and damaging my expedition out of ignorance.

Thanks in advance.

 

[AWAR]

I would not haul plywood in my Expedition, it is less than 8 foot to the back of the front seats. I did haul an 8 foot long roll up shade today and it came part way up on the front console lid. I have a trailer for hauling 4x8 sheet material.

 

[Jamo]

Not much help to your situation, but that is exactly the reason I went with my '24 MAX LTD when replacing my '14 EL LTD a few months ago. I looked at the shorter versions, and almost bit, but didn't. I am a semi retired homebuilder/cabinetmaker though, so still dabble with 4 x 8 stuff.
I also bought a 5 x 10 single axle trailer for hauling, which I prefer over trashing my "new" ride. I would think your LTD has the HD trailer tow package too? Lots of low cost trailers out there, especially if you don't plan to use them every day for your livelyhood.
Best of luck to you...

 

[Grrumpy]

Query.....how often are you going to haul a full size 4x8 sheet of ply ???? And if so, will you need the full size sheet ??? Big box stores (Lowes/Home Depot) will cut down a sheet to the size you require. And long thin 2x4's just may fit if you place them diagonally across the floor...or put passenger front seat back all the way back, put a towel over and lay your 2x4's resting on it. Not rocket science...and where there's a will there's a way.
Or open rear window only and let the piece hand out....driving a few miles with rear window open won't hurt anything.
I haven't tried it yet, but I believe if you put the front passenger seat all the way forward, a 2x4x8 just might fit....if not straight than diagonally...that passenger seat goes quite aways forward....
I do occasionally need a piece of ply, but have always had it cut to the size I needed, and they do have smaller pieces of ply already cut to smaller pieces.
Just asking......

 

[expy2016tx]

I made an extension piece out of 2x2 steel square tube that fits in the trailer hitch and allows the back hatch to latch on the top to hold 4x8 material. This keeps the door closed, doesn't allow it to bounce and holds in the 4x8 stuff so it cant slide out. If you want to haul 2x4 or thinner stuff, you will need to secure the materials with straps to keep it from sliding out during acceleration and cornering.

 

[Andy B]

I made an extension piece out of 2x2 steel square tube that fits in the trailer hitch and allows the back hatch to latch on the top to hold 4x8 material. This keeps the door closed, doesn't allow it to bounce and holds in the 4x8 stuff so it cant slide out. If you want to haul 2x4 or thinner stuff, you will need to secure the materials with straps to keep it from sliding out during acceleration and cornering.

Cool!

Nice work.

 

[omandave]

I made an extension piece out of 2x2 steel square tube that fits in the trailer hitch and allows the back hatch to latch on the top to hold 4x8 material. This keeps the door closed, doesn't allow it to bounce and holds in the 4x8 stuff so it cant slide out. If you want to haul 2x4 or thinner stuff, you will need to secure the materials with straps to keep it from sliding out during acceleration and cornering.

I want to make one now too...!!! brilliant solution to the Regular Expedition length...
Cheers!!

 

[LG_123]

If it’s just a few 8’ 2x4s they’ll fit nicely on the center console. I’ve carried 15’ boards sticking out the passenger window before. If they’re sticking out the upper window in the trunk gate, I’d want someone holding onto them.
For plywood, you’ll have to get the seller to cut it down if possible, or rent a truck. You could experiment with putting both front seats all the way forward; if it’s a short drive, it might work.
But this is also why I went for the Max, plus the fuel tank and wheelbase extensions. Although now my motor to fold down the rear bench has died…

 

[BigOleFordFan]

I made an extension piece out of 2x2 steel square tube that fits in the trailer hitch and allows the back hatch to latch on the top to hold 4x8 material. This keeps the door closed, doesn't allow it to bounce and holds in the 4x8 stuff so it cant slide out. If you want to haul 2x4 or thinner stuff, you will need to secure the materials with straps to keep it from sliding out during acceleration and cornering.

I thought about this, even though my Expy is the EL version, but I just bought a nice, matte-black, non-slip, 18" wide step extension that fits into the trailer hitch too...

Works great as a tie down spot for the rear hatch, as well as providing an extended place to step up on if/when I want to put something on top, like those 16 ft decking boards I bought last fall, which I REALLY didn't want sticking out 10ft beyond the rear hatch

 

[dr2024]

Use your roof rack.

How I do it -

Put the plywood sheet onto the roof rack far enough forward that it won’t contact the hatch when the hatch opens fully.

Toward the front tie rope on one side, loop rope over the top, come back under the bottom, then back over the top, snug, then tie (on the other side). So you have a full loop around the sheet. That way when it moves a little the loop simply cinches and grips the sheet more firmly.

Repeat toward the back.

Great with one and two sheets, rock solid if well done.

More than that, the middle sheets are held by contact friction with the sheets sandwiching them, so you would need to pay attention, test (pull, push, prod) and decide wisely.

 

[dr2024]

… Can also do more than one full loop (2, 3) to increase engagement between the rope and the sheet.

 

[dr2024]

Long 2x4s I would open the liftgate window and let them hang out.

Maybe rope them into a neat column so they don’t slide about, wrap towel(s) around the interior ends and between wood and the liftgate window sill so they don’t beat up the car.

Definitely put a flag on the end that protrudes, good safety protocol and often required by state law.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Definitely put a flag on the end that protrudes, good safety protocol and often required by state law.

^^THIS^^

Well, up here in my neck of the woods, I constantly see people hauling stuff that sticks out beyond the vehicle without any flags at all. And they are always sitting along the side of the road......... waiting for the trooper to finish writing their ticket

 

[Grrumpy]

^^THIS^^

Well, up here in my neck of the woods, I constantly see people hauling stuff that sticks out beyond the vehicle without any flags at all. And they are always sitting along the side of the road......... waiting for the trooper to finish writing their ticket

Is this in your neck of the woods ?????
A case of "If it fits in the bed and it don't fall out.....your good to go !!!!!"