Packing crate on pickup truck?

[Charlesaf3]

I'm moving down to Richmond Virginia, and though I've moved a lot of stuff in a uhaul already I seem to have an unending amount of stuff left.

In order to maximize my space I was going to build a big plywood shipping crate and put it in the back of my 2007 Toyota Tundra Crewmax. (tailgate down). I'm not really concerned with going overweight with the stuff I'd put in it.

I'm not worried about the box coming apart at highway speeds or taking on water - I can build a house that will stay dry in 70 mph wind and rain, I've no fear of my ability to do it with a box.

Questions - how high is it advisable to build the box? More height = more space = better. And is there anything dumb or illegal about this idea?

Thanks for all advice. I love this site, my questions always get better answers than they deserve

 

[RobertN]

Height is limited by bridges, underpasses ect, same as big rigs.

I have had 11' cabover campers. I would limit it to something that size. Unless you add airbags, you will have noticable sway from having the load up so high, ie center of gravity.

The other thing that would be a limitation, is your box would probably be limited by the width of you wheel-wells.

For the cost of the lumber, why not look for a used or cheap shell? Otherwise, build a wood shell as compared to a box, so you get the full width of the bed to use?

 

[aczlan]

Questions - how high is it advisable to build the box? More height = more space = better. And is there anything dumb or illegal about this idea?

Keep it below 13' tall and you should be legal.

Aaron Z

 

[Cat_Driver]

Hoe much to rent a small trailer? Unless that's what you meant by uhaul?

 

[Charlesaf3]

Height is limited by bridges, underpasses ect, same as big rigs.

I have had 11' cabover campers. I would limit it to something that size. Unless you add airbags, you will have noticable sway from having the load up so high, ie center of gravity.

The other thing that would be a limitation, is your box would probably be limited by the width of you wheel-wells.

For the cost of the lumber, why not look for a used or cheap shell? Otherwise, build a wood shell as compared to a box, so you get the full width of the bed to use?

Lumber cost would be pretty cheap. I was going to lose the wheel well space probably - not enough to justify building a far more complex structure..

You think sway will be an issue even with weight low? I could see windage causing sway there, thinking about it... be a nice sail effect every time I go by a semi.

I've got my own open utility trailer, and no easy access to uhaul, so was thinking of doing the same on there

 

[aczlan]

I've got my own open utility trailer, and no easy access to uhaul, so was thinking of doing the same on there

My parents did that with a 14' landscape trailer going from GA to NY.
They used fencing to make sides and used a heavy plastic dropcloth under and around the load to keep it dry.
It worked well for them.

In your case, I would go no more than 5 or 6 feet high in the truck and then make the trailer match it. The flat front on the truck is going to be bad things to your gas mileage, so having the two match in height would probably be a good thing.

Aaron Z

 

[RobertN]

I'm guessing you won't go 3-4' over the cab? My cabovers had plenty of headroom for me at 6'2". The campers were 11' long, so they hung off my longbed 3'. They were at least 3-4' above the bed. That is not counting the cabover section.

I would just be cautious of sway, and wind... Those Tundra are suppossed to be pretty good for weight rating, but it is still a half ton series. Anchor it real well in the bed; better to over tie it.

Take it slow and cautious. I know here in Calif we can only go 55mph with a trailer anyways. Not sure in the area you're going.

 

[Charlesaf3]

Interesting point on trailer speeds - man, that'd be annoying.

Tundra is great for towing, little light on weight in the bed to my mind. But I'm not putting furniture in, so I doubt I'll get anywhere near a half ton.

This will kill my gas mileage no doubt. Tundra is actually pretty good on highway for a truck - up to 18. Bet this idea takes it down by 5. Still, no biggie for a one off.

 

[bdeboer]

Can you build something like a stock rack using the stake pockets on the bed? On the second thought does Tundra have them?

 

[MESSMAKER]

How about some racks using the stake pockets and cover the front and top with a tarp.

 

[CurlyDave]

If I had to do this, I would rent about a 14' truck and a car dolly for the Tundra, which the truck can easily tow.

Take it all in one fell swoop, and you are safe and legal in all states...

 

[RobertN]

I made a set for my truck. I made a front that matches the sides, and bolt together.

A few times we have had long distance Scout trips for camp. Everyone else took cars. I took my truck, and carried all the boys stuff(backpacks, duffel bags, tents, sleeping pads. We have a Troop trailer with all our patrol boxes, cook stuff ect. It has lots of room for the boys stuff. But, we didn't need it, and in Calif, even though I-5 is 70mph, towing speed limit is 55mph. It was easier for the trip from near Sacramento to San Diego(Camp Fiesta Island is AWESOME if you're a Scouter!) to just take the truck and load it up.

I used 1x6 to make the sides, 18" tall. Trimmed down 2x3's for the stakes. Used the same for the front(I bolt the front to the sides with "L" brackets). I can tarp it if needed. Between the 8' bed, and the sideboards, I can fit a lot of stuff.

How about some racks using the stake pockets and cover the front and top with a tarp.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Charles, moving to more acreage? Taking the tractors, whats going on? :confused3:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I'd vote for sides built up off the stake pockets... Less Lumber, More cubic feet. I'd also suggest you build a sloped overhang. You can create a little more space and improve your handling and mileage.

I worked for a moving compay for two summers in college. You can fit a ton (literally) of stuff in a truck like this if you do it right. Pack in similar sized boxes if you can. Put heavy, sturdy stuff on the bottom and lighter stuff on the top. Load your truck in tiers. Make a row going side to side accross the bed. Fill it all the way to the top and then start another row. Load so the face of the row is flat and then stuff little stuff behind to fill in the cracks.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

My impulsive sketchaholic tendencies prevailed, and I've drawn a picture to illustrate my point about the sloped front. I really don't think it would be hard.

Build a skeleton like this...

Then skin it with OSB or plywood like this...

If you made the sides 4 feet high you could use full sheets of plywood on the sides without having to cut them. Or is your bed shorter than 8 feet?

 

[Charlesaf3]

moving to warmer weather, getting too old for the cold.

So for ease of construction and rainproofing I just built 4x4x8 boxes, with rain detailing. gives me 256 cubic feet, which should take care of a lot.

Great sketch though!

 

[Charlesaf3]

for those curious - plywood box in utility trailer worked really well. And tightly packed, held an enormous amount of stuff

 

[moored4]

Take it slow and cautious. I know here in Calif we can only go 55mph with a trailer anyways. Not sure in the area you're going.

That is funny!!:laughing::laughing::laughing:

Last November I pulled a trailer from AZ. To Washington state and stopped off in LA to see the grand Kid and Family. I was being passed by atv haulers, camping trailers, and boats like I was standing still and when I looked down at my speed odometer I was only doing 75mph. Going North on I5 was the same story! It might be posted 55 but nobody reads them! Now going to LA I went thru a high wind area and all the haulers slowed down there to about 40mph for about 35 miles!

 

[adjusterr]

I think Curleydave has the right idea, determine how much space you need, rent a U-Haul box van with a car dolly. Load your pickup with items unaffected by weather or tarp items in the pickup bed, load everything else into the van and head South. You are going to spend a lot of time and money on fabrication of something that may or may not serve the purpose then be stuck with a big wooden box after the move. If your pickup has a towing package you might want to consider finding a used 6x12 or 14 used tandem axle box trailer, make your move then sell it. I still think the box van and dolly rental is the safest and easiest method. Good luck.

 

[Ductape]

I'm moving down to Richmond Virginia,

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