Plywood on Sherpa Rack (5th Gen)

I was very tempted to throw this question in the Sherpa vs Gobi rack thread because someone questioned which is better to transport plywood, but figured a dedicated thread might be helpful for others searching in the future.

I need to transport several (15 to be exact) sheets of 4'x8' plywood (3/4" specifically but I don't think that matters). I have a Sherpa Crestone rack which is 47" wide (just shy of the width of plywood). I've tied down boards to the rack in the past with great success, but sheet goods have always been a challenge. I typically use ratchet straps for their convenience and strength, but with the plywood overhanging 1/2" on each side, the hooks do not get a good hold. I feel it would be easier to secure the hooks if the rack was about 4" wider or narrower. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for tying down sheet goods? And also what is an appropriate amount of sheets to tie down at a time (aside from weight).

 

A combination of L-brackets with holes drilled to mount them to the rack and holes at the vertical ends to connect to a strap may work. You can adjust the width of the brackets to match the width of the boards - something like adjusting the paper tray in a copier. Lay a moving blanket under the bottom layer. However, I'd be very concerned with the weight and front/back control in a braking situation. Maybe rent a utility trailer for a day?

 

Agreed-rent a trailer.
Have you calculated the weight?

 

Tried it once w/ 3 sheets of 3/4 Baltic birch plywood.

I'll never do that again...

Trailer or pick up bed for SAFETY and security...

 

I would be more concerned about the weight, I'm a custom cabinet builder and the average sheet of 3/4" plywood weights a minimum of 60# and 1/2" weights a minimum of 40#, so thickness does matter a lot when it comes to weight, you mentioned 15 sheets of 3/4", that's 900#, I wouldn't want to put more that 200# to 300# on any "roof rack" they aren't built to carry more than that IMHO.

 

If your getting the plywood from a box store, just rent one of their trucks. Especially if its a local trip. Not ideal but zero risk to the 4runner. Or if it's a real lumber yard, have them deliver.

 

I would get some round (or square) tubing and cut it into 6ft lengths. Securely tie those to the Sherpa so you can essentially extend your crossbar length on each side. Then tie the plywood to the tubing. Do a couple trips if you need to.

 

15 sheets!
NFW
Have it delivered

 

Imagine having to brake hard and depending on straps and the rack mounts to hold 900 lbs. from flying forward. I’m sure someone smarter than me can do some mathematical formula and convert the dead weight to forward force, but you get the picture. Not to mention the 11” in height. Nope. Rent or borrow a trailer.

 

Thanks for the replies.
I agree with everyone’s comments about renting a truck. That is exactly what I’m doing in my situation but I’m asking a general question. To clarify, the number of sheets is irrelevant. My question is what is the best way to secure a 4x8 sheet product to the roof rack, it could be a single sheet of 1/4” drywall for argument sake. nimby’s suggestion for extending the cross bars is interesting but it would take some planning and likely won’t live on the rack full time.
for board products, I’ve had success looping the straps around (see image below). I don’t see this working well with a 4’ wide sheet product unless it’s actual rope instead of ratchet straps, but then you get into the strength of the rope and knots.

 

Regardless of rack , I would be concerned about the wind resistance. Rent truck or trailer

 

Don't do it. You are putting a giant sail on your roof. And that plywood really flies when the rope breaks...

 

Even if you are loading just one 4x8 sheet of something, consider the bending force involved. Wind getting underneath the sheet will lift the unsecured front, the faster you go the more wind and the more bending. At some point the either the 4x8 sheet breaks or the strap and pieces go flying everywhere. Don't ask me how I know. If you do have to load a 4x8 sheet bring or buy some 8' 2x4s to put on top of the sheet lengthwise. That adds some structural security and as a bonus lifts the strap away from the sheet so as to allow more tension on the strap or rope and go slow!

 

The loop idea helps a little, but having hauled a lot of stuff on a roof rack (FJ60 Land Cruiser with a Conn-Fer rack) in my carpenter days, I’ll say run at least one strap front to back, and at least two side to side. And based on the weight of the material, it sounds like 3 trips is needed, maybe 2 trips if it’s a local/short trip on easy roads. I’ve done Nimbys idea many times, it works but if the load is much wider than the rack you won’t have great side to side stability, and when the load slides/shifts to the side you will absolutely know it, it feels like you’re getting pulled into a rollover. My rack was 42” IIRC and I hauled a lot of 4x8 material.

 

Owning a little utility trailer is awesome, even when I had a pickup I would use the trailer a lot

 

My vote(s): Trailer, rental vehicle, delivery.

 

Rent their vans for like 30 bucks or whatevwr, slide it in as hard as you want, neutral dump it, blast the music until its distorted, wear your seatbelt and return it with a full tank of gas.

Remember the fastest car you can drive is a rental

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm all for safety, but I also purchased the 4runner to do work (not only to look pretty). I agree with the concerns but there are people strapping building materials to their roofs every day. I am reaching out to find the safest and best way to do it without getting another vehicle or trailer.

Thank you Geojanitor for the suggestions. Running 2x's down the length is a good idea.

I'm not sure running a strap front to back is possible per Gravel's suggestion. There is a flat fairing at the front of the Sherpa rack (and most aftermarket racks), but a hook can be added at the rear.

Going back to the width issue, is there any other suggestions on how to hook the straps? Maybe using rope is better in this scenario. I'd be curious what knots would be best to tighten around the 180 degree bend )from the side of the rack, around the edge of the plywood, and back over the top of the plywood).

 

I know you don't want to hear it, and it's not an answer to the question you're asking, but it's a terrible idea that is fraught with all kinds of risk. Just because it's not the answer you want doesn't mean it's the wrong answer.

If you choose to go forward with this, please make sure you've got good liability insurance that will cover the potential damage to other peoples' vehicles (and possible personal injury) if/when the plywood comes flying off the roof of your 4Runner.

 

Amen.

 

@PJSnow: I use 4 Sherpa Smileys with some aluminum barrels, stainless screws, washers and nylocks to widen the Sherpa rack to just over 4' and give me some tiedown points outside the plywood edges. I use some steel brackets that came with my awning to extend the rack to 8' fore and aft to keep sheet goods from sliding forward or back. Use short 2x4s under the straps/on top of the plywood to give the straps something to push down on. I would not drive over 35mph with this setup. But it works well enough for occasional use. Moved 2 sheets of 1/2" plywood last week on my way home from work, when it was impractical to haul my trailer.

 

This is exactly the type of response I was looking for. Great idea with the extended Smileys and the L brackets. Not looking to take 15 sheets of plywood onto the highway at 75 mph, but there are ways to safely transport a couple sheets. Thank you for chiming in, much appreciated!

Do you have info on the aluminum barrels you used to space out the Smileys?

 

I bought the aluminum spacers from Amazon: "

$17 Aluminum Spacer Black 1/2" OD x 1/4" ID x Choose Your Length,Round Spacer Unthreaded Standoff Bushing Plain Finish, Fits Screws Bolts 1/4" or M6 by Metal Spacers Online (1/2" Length, 10 Pack)

Aluminum Spacer Black 1/2" OD x 1/4" ID x Choose Your Length,Round Spacer Unthreaded Standoff Bushing Plain Finish, Fits Screws Bolts 1/4" or M6 by Metal Spacers Online (1/2" Length, 10 Pack)." The 1/2" length works well enough, but if I had to do it over, I might get 3/4" to allow more clearance for ratchet-strap hooks on the Smileys.

The bolts are 1/4-20 x 1-1/2" (would need to be 1/4" longer if I had used 3/4" spacers).

 

Danger, Will Robinson!"

 

One question - in this scenario, the plywood would be supported on the long edges by the side rails of the rack...do you use anything to support the middle of the sheets?

 

There are several crossbars on a Sherpa rack.

 

For the 1/2" sheets I transported recently, I simply let them sag to the crossrails, then used 2x4s between the sheets and straps to further press the sheets down in the center of the rack. Nothing between the sheets and the crossrails.