Rance, if I get some time I'll try to make a conceptual drawing to better explain what I'm thinking about. It's one of those Around Tuit things that I think about every time I need to haul wood. Besides the flip up tail gate thingy, The lower level would be held in place by two boards - one just behind the wheel wells to keep it from sliding fwd, and another board just in front of the rear of the bead to keep it from sliding backwards. Those boards would attach to a few more boards than extend out the back and receive support from the lowered tail gate.

I really like the simplicity of your design if you're only hauling plywood.

 

I have a shell on the back of my Frontier and I built small cabinets along the length of the bed over each wheel well.
They are the same height as the bed so I can slide 3 to 5 4×8 sheets in there, hanging out the back by about 18".
I just tie a rope over the ends to keep the top ones from sliding out.

 

If you lay 2 or 3 8' 2×4s from the top of your closed tailgate to the bottom front corner of the bed will a 4×8 sheet of plywood on top clear the wheel wells? If not you could build something simple to raise the front ends of the 2×4s until the plywood clears the wheel wells. Sliding plywood over studs should not cause any significant scratches unless you get some grit in there.

 

David I have a C-30 flat bed that is 11 feet long. I had to haul a 8×20 sheet of steel fron LA up here. I made a 2"x2" steel tube in the hitch receiver and added a T at the end. That works great if you have a standard receiver on your truck.

 

Greg is right. A couple of 2×4's for support, tailgate up, slide 'em in. I'm thinking you guys could make sex complicated. Geez!

 

What Charlie sez ^2 ;-))

 

I built a platform in the back of my Mazda B6000/Ford Ranger, which raises the bed height to the height of the wheel wells, with slide-out storage underneath (that also turns into tables, for camping).

Then I generally buy two sheets of cheap plywood to sandwich the good stuff in. I keep it around for hauling the good stuff 'til I have a use for the cheap stuff. Cheap 5/8" or ¾" ply is always handy to have around for building templates or shelves or what-have-you.

 

I made a small set of saw horses that clear the top of my wheel wells by an inch or so. It works just fine in my Dakota. Cost: $10 in 2×4s

 

I just call Frank Miller Lumber company and they deliver it to the door. Works for me.