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I got tired of either having lumber shoot out the back of my truck because I didn't tie everything down right, or spending half an hour tying things down until my paranoia was satisfied, so I started looking into commercial tailgate guards and bed extenders (my truck bed is six feet, just over eight with the tailgate down, and 90% of the materials I buy is 8 feet long). I found a nice flip-down tailgate extender but as it cost $300 + installation, I decided to knock something together myself.

I used a couple sections of 3/4" plywood, joined with a continous hinge so it could be folded up when not in use or flipped down for loading (a lesson learned after the first incarnation hehe). I used some spare chains attached to spring clips to lock it in place when loaded (lesson learned from the SECOND incarnation!), and attached some 1×2 scrap to the bottom that drops in the gap between the tailgate and bed, then the weight of the lumber keeps the platform locked into place.

No more picking up lumber in the middle of the street for Jei!

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Looks like a viable solution. Now if I can just keep sheet goods from taking off from my car top carrier, I'd be a happy guy. Take care!
 

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I know I saw plans for a simple carrier in one of my magazines (i THINK it was family handyman - not having any use for it I really wasn't paying too much attention tbh), I'll have to go back and try and find it for you.
 

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Great idea, I am sorry to say I had done that a few times myself. Amazing how fast you can pick it all up!!!
 

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Yup, that should keep them in. Gary, if you tie them a little tighter, yoiu could fly home:))
 

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What a great Idea! Thanks for the post.
 

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From a transplanted kentucky boy that looks like a pretty good piece of hillbilly engineering for somebody who's not a hillbilly. I think I see one in my future.
 

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Hey that is a great idea, I have the same issue with my truck. I'm gonna have to make one of these, and thanks for the incarnations, you just saved me some time! :)
 

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Great idea, throw some paint on it and you could sell them. I'm gonna make one for mine but afraid if I paint it,,, it would clash with the rust. L.O.L. That's using the ol noodle for something besides a hat rack, thanks for sharing
 

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Now that you mention it, I should get a can of that chaulkboard paint and cover the back side of the upright, so I can write uplifting messages for the poor guy stuck behind me :D Or I could just let my niece decorate it, she likes writing on stuff shes normally not supposed to hehe :)
 

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I had similar issues with my short bed stepside ford. I bought a simple bolt on tie down ratchet strap from HD and perminantly bolted it to my bumper. very very helpful. I've used it for over a year. Just dont try using it to pull a bush out of the ground.

((( By the way, I'm in Machesney Park
 

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Hmmmm, I wonder if something similar could be adapted to work with my Tahoe with the double doors. I live on a steep, narrow mountain road. Every time I buy lumber, I have visions of my precious cargo sliding out the back, hitting some ice, shooting off down the mountain, and flying through the window of that really nice house at the bottom. Or worse, having to climb down to fetch it.
 

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Looks doable
 
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