[Jeepman]

Whatever happened to duct tape?

 

[Oscarphone]

"Another option, though admittedly I havent tried it, but I think a 10 footer might make it, is if you have the removable center console, you could just pop that out of the way and load the lumber straight down the middle on the floor between the seats. Not near the van with a tape measure to check at the moment."

Yeah, that's what I do (1997). Works great 12 footers you have to put up to the dash and I use a towel to keep things tidy. I use a bungie cord to the seat frames to keep them secure enough for the trip home. Admittedly you don't want to but a couple of dozen 2xs on the dash but for a small load it's perfect. Roof rack works for 12 feet and over.

As an aside, I don't understand why guys buy pickups. I can carry 4x8 sheets flat on my van with 2 x 4s and bags of cement all under dry lock and key one part of the day and then go to the opera in comfort with six of my buddies after that. Great vehicle.

 

[wd4aon]

For those whom've suggested resting the ends on the dashboard, I replaced my windshield (not covered by insurance!) when going over a bump and the boards bounced hard.
Dodgey Van

 

[Oscarphone]

Well, that's why you bungie the boards down with the seat frames. And you can't drive like you're making an ice cream run to Wal-Mart before the Netflix movie starts.

 

[georgef]

Another option is to remove the front passenger seat, you only have to remove four large nuts (from under the van), and disconnect any wiring harness from the seat. I did this when I bought a nine foot garage door. I still had the drivers side second row seat up so I could still carry one passenger.

 

[Jeepman]

Sssh, they will be stealing seats along with converters.

 

[2019GTlife]

I would not carry much on the roof rack because I don’t think they are rated for much weight, I think somewhere in the neighborhood of 400lbs.

These vans can be great haulers but have you tried loading and hauling 1000lbs of dirt in one? That’s when you need a PU truck or trailer.

I would just hang the lumber out the hatch and secure as previously stated. Oh yeah,,,when you start hanging wood, or anything else, out the back your load carrying capability reduces.

 

[s1120]

I really would not carry that much on the roof rack. More then one or two boards your pushing it. If you dont have a console you can fit a lot in the center of the floor. If you do, they will stick out, but only a few feet. Tie them down inside, and strap down the lid as best you can, and take it slow. Frankly if you need to move a LOT of wood, and a lot of long lenghts, the cost of the rental trucks that some home centers have, is not that big. You only have to rip up one seat, and break one window to eat up many times that cost.

 

[Jeepman]

From the 2016 DGC Owner's Manual:

ROOF LUGGAGE RACK — IF EQUIPPED
The crossbars on your vehicle are delivered stowed within the roof rack side rails. If adding cargo, deploy the crossbars. Distribute cargo weight evenly on the roof rack crossbars, to maximum of 150 lbs (68 kg). The roof rack does not increase the total load carrying capacity of the vehicle. Be sure the total load of cargo inside the vehicle plus that on the external rack does not exceed the maximum vehicle load capacity.

I guess a 10' long plank could be considered luggage.

 

[2019GTlife]

From the 2016 DGC Owner Manual:



I guess a 10' long plank could be considered luggage.

Yup. But probably only two at a time, hardly worth the time to strap them down.

 

[Jeepman]

Strapping a couple 8' long 2 by 4s to the roof rack first, provides a support for something like a queen size box spring and mattress.to be strapped on top. Been there, done that on a 2002 DGC's roof racks. Drove for about 20 miles that way. Did it a second time later on.

Carrying a sheet, or two, of plywood on a roof rack can be tricky.

Had a couple sheets of masonnite on a roof rack once that went sliding when somebody cut me off at an intersection and I had to brake hard. Good thing there was no hood ornament.

I have had roof racks loaded down with downhill skis several times, for long trips, on my vans. Roof racks can come in handy. 150 lbs. is a fair amount, a good size deer / small moose.

 

[Oscarphone]

I only needed mass amounts of dirt a couple of times in my 70 years and I had a pickup at the time for one and the second time they delivered. I think that you buy a vehicle based on 90% of what you are going to use it for. If you are hauling 1000lbs dirt every few weeks you'd be a fool to buy a van. But hauling sheetrock, plywood, lumber, cabinets, furniture, ladders, pipe, firewood, bagged mulch, trips to the dump, camping and going to the opera in comfort a Dodge/Chrysler van (3rd gen up) is a pretty good conveyance. They really knew what they were doing when they conceived them.

 

[2019GTlife]

I only needed mass amounts of dirt a couple of times in my 70 years and I had a pickup at the time for one and the second time they delivered. I think that you buy a vehicle based on 90% of what you are going to use it for. If you are hauling 1000lbs dirt every few weeks you'd be a fool to buy a van. But hauling sheetrock, plywood, lumber, cabinets, furniture, ladders, pipe, firewood, bagged mulch, trips to the dump, camping and going to the opera in comfort a Dodge/Chrysler van (3rd gen up) is a pretty good conveyance. They really knew what they were doing when they conceived them.

Just an example of why a guy would buy a pickup.

 

[Dvan]

Roof racks worked for me hauling trim...Enough to do a +825 square foot condo. Yes I also have hauled 2 X 4 resting on the dash too! These van are better than GM Safari's I had in the pass. Which were limited for hauling 4 X 8 sheets of plywood.

 

[IAfarmer]

A $150 hitch makes the van even more versatile. I’ve haul 8’ lumber inside, but not 10’

 

[Rupert2]

My apology for late reply. You gave me many ideas, installing D-rings where a door knob would be, removing the center console (easy on my base 2016), removing the front seat, and installing a hitch. I still miss my pickup which this minivan replaced for car seats for grandchildren. Thank you all. Also the warning for roof overloading.

 

[voiceofstl]

I guess you don't have a roof rack. The best ones are from the 2001-2010. After that you have to spend 2 grand more for a "package" to get a roof rack HOW STUPID

 

[Scot_W]

Those u-haul trailers weigh an excessive amount by themselves. If you are going to need a trailer, pick up a cheap 4x8 (used preferably). I think my little trailer weighs 300 pounds empty. I couldnt budge the car trailer I rented from u-haul, had to be over 1000 pounds by itself. Those little u-haul trailers (uncovered) will weigh in at 5-700 pounds.

 

[Honeybadger]

I just went out and checked. I cannot figure out how to hook a bungee cord to the tailgate grab handle., Is the handle a D shaped piece on your minivan? It is not on mine.

Easy. Just pick up one of these rings and close the tailgate latch on it. Then use a bungee or rope between the ring and the strike to hold the gate down. Just remember to remove the ring (unlatch the gate) before trying to completely close the gate when you are finished hauling!

 

[Sienile]

Just get a strong one that's rated for climbing. Some of those ones made for key rings will split open with as little as 15 pounds of force.