Can I fit a sheet of plywood (4'x8') in the back of a 2002 Envoy SLE?

[Ironring1]

The title of the post says it all. Can I lay a sheet of plywood or drywall down in the back of my Envoy? I am okay with it sticking out of the back - it's the width that I am wondering about. Assuming that they will fit width-wise, how many sheets of 1/2" drywall do you think that I could stack up in the back?

Thanks,
-Chris

 

[blazinlow89]

I had 14 pieces of 4'x10' fence in the back once. I ended up using my hitch mounted cargo carrier to help keep the load up. The only issue I had was with the little bump stops for the lift gate.

You should also measure just to be sure. Iirc it is 49" wide.

 

[CaptainXL]

I don't know about the SWB vehicles. But the LWB such as my XL I can cut a piece of OSB in half and both pieces will fit exactly in the back. So the XL is 48 inches wide in the back.

You need to cut it in half. It will not stick out the lift glass. Too wide. Experience.

 

[Machoman]

I fit one sheet in mine. Took some work to get in and it wasn't that comfortable of a ride.

 

[blazinlow89]

I fit one sheet in mine. Took some work to get in and it wasn't that comfortable of a ride.

There is a how to on removing the rear head rests so you can lay the seats flat. I do not remember the length from the back of the seat to the spot the lift gate stops at, but you would have to tie the hatch down to the trailer hitch.

 

[Shdwdrgn]

I have carried quite a few sheets of plywood in the back of my 2004. The 49" width mentioned above sounds about right -- it's a tight fit to slide them in, and they will sit up on the wheel humps so you probably want something underneath to support the center of the boards, but they will fit. If I remember right, a 4x6 sheet will allow you to close the door, and the full 4x8 sheet hangs out less than a foot.

Now I have to go try to find the previously-mentioned how-to on removing those headrests!

 

[blazinlow89]

Now I have to go try to find the previously-mentioned how-to on removing those headrests!

Quick and simple

offroadTB.com - View topic - Rear headrest removal

And even more you can do

offroadTB.com - View topic - Removable rear seats

 

[Shdwdrgn]

Nice, thanks! Yeah that looks really easy, and I always leave the headrests down anyway because they block the view of my mirror.

 

[CaptainXL]

Probably be better off just renting a uhaul. Anything you put in the back of the SUV that is 48 inches wide is going to scratch up you trim pretty bad. Mine is all chewed up and I was careful. It just slides around all over. You can try to pad it with something but by the time you have macguyvered something up your just going to slap yourself for not renting a truck with an 8 foot bed in the first place. My motto is work smarter not harder. And this thread is already way too long for something that should have been mentioned in the first reply.

 

[blazinlow89]

Pretty ignorant statement there Captain. Does not make much sense to rent a $40 truck to move a few sheets of plywood. Also some of us have no issues using our trucks for than they were meant for. I have used my TB to haul stuff some people with full size trucks would scared of.

The OP asked if it would fit, width wise. The short answer is yes. The only thing that should get in the way would be the fuel hose hump. If it is that big of a deal then some 2x4 ' s turned on their sides should make enough clearance over the humps.

The threads I linked are mods that serve other purposes, and IMO things that should be standard. Telling someone that they are better off renting a truck does not make much sense.

 

[CaptainXL]

Does not make much sense to rent a $40 truck to move a few sheets of plywood.

The trucks are $17 at Home Depot.

I had to move 3/4 OSB underlayment a few weeks ago. Also had to haul some 4x4's treated and a bunch of 4x6's and 1x's for a deck addition. I thought I was the man for being able to use my XL to haul that kind of stuff around but it eventually beat the shit out of the back of my truck.

I stand by my statement on not using the truck as unintended. Wood is pretty rough on the interior finish. So are propane tanks. So are a lot of things.

And you need to consider the safety issues and use common sense. Putting a 4x8 piece of wood in the back of an SUV is NOT common sense.

 

[blazinlow89]

Yoy guys have it cheap. Lowes wants $29.99 and $.20 a mile, or $69.99 for a day (must be returned by closing). Uhaul is expensive as well.

I have never had an issue with stuff sticking out of the lift gate being unsafe. Last time I transported 8-4x8 sheets of 5/8's OSB. Ran a strap across the front through the back doors down to the frame. One around the back and strapped to the trailer hitch. Bungee corded the lift gate to the bump stops.

I stopped worrying about the panels in the back a long time ago. I understand some do, and you have a valid point on that. However I have had the plastic in the rear and my rear window tint tore up by luggage, more so than hauling stuff.

It can be done, and done safely.

 

[Hollywood260]

I just had 6 sheets of 1/2" plywood mounting on the roof rack. I don't suggest going down the highway at 70mph though....lol

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

The title of the post says it all. Can I lay a sheet of plywood or drywall down in the back of my Envoy?

I am okay with it sticking out of the back - it's the width that I am wondering about.

Assuming that they will fit width-wise, how many sheets of 1/2" drywall do you think that I could stack up in the back?

Thanks,
-Chris

Yes.

Will stick out.

Cargo area height is 39ish. Minus the wheelwell of say 6 inches and the way the top tapers, you got room for proabably 40 sheets. However with drywall at 1/2 inch weighing either 32 or 54 lbs a sheet ...newer "light" stuff or traditional..., youcould end up with more weight than you want in the truck.

The trucks are $17 at Home Depot.

I had to move 3/4 OSB underlayment a few weeks ago. Also had to haul some 4x4's treated and a bunch of 4x6's and 1x's for a deck addition. I thought I was the man for being able to use my XL to haul that kind of stuff around but it eventually beat the shit out of the back of my truck.

Truck is not $17 when you live 50 miles each way from the store.

Sounds like you did a poor job of loading and securing your load if it beat up your interior.

 

[Ironring1]

Thanks for all of the replies! I'll just confirm that I was indeed able to fit a 4x4 sheet of plywood in the back; I figured that that would be a good test anyways, since I needed the half sheet for another project. The area between the wheel wells is less than 4' wide, but on top of them it's all good; about an inch to spare. I'll probably lay down some 2x4s on their edges to support the drywall in the middle, but other than that, I'm good to go. I only need about 12 sheets in total, so I'll be fine re weight, but that is a good point to keep in mind.

 

[Real McCoy]

The answers above surprise me as I thought the hatch opening (in my 2002) was just shy of 48" wide. I found that I could not lay a 48" wide piece of plywood flat. I recall seeing the XL version had a slightly wider opening to make the 48" sheet lay flat and wondered why they missed the boat on the short wheelbase vehicles.

Doug

 

[Shdwdrgn]

The early 2002 models always looked visually narrower to me, while the newer ones look more squat. I just figured they changed the model mid-year. I'm guessing that why you don't have the space?

 

[Ironring1]

Doug, my truck is not the long wheel-base version, just the standard SLE, and hatch opening is wide enough. You can't lay the sheet flat because of the rear wheel fenders, but if support the middle of the sheet, you can lay it flat across the tops of the fenders. When I bring my drywall home, I will take a pic of it so that everyone will see what I mean. It might be a few days, though, as it's raining here again on the "wet" coast

-Chris

 

[blazinlow89]

The answers above surprise me as I thought the hatch opening (in my 2002) was just shy of 48" wide. I found that I could not lay a 48" wide piece of plywood flat. I recall seeing the XL version had a slightly wider opening to make the 48" sheet lay flat and wondered why they missed the boat on the short wheelbase vehicles.

Doug

Right at 50" just above the rounded areas at the bottom of the liftgate. The other is length.

 

[Real McCoy]

Right at 50" just above the rounded areas at the bottom of the liftgate.

So, here we differ on what "fits flat" means. Just above the rounded area means that the edges of a full 48 sheet will be resting on the rubber seal with the sheet unsupported in the middle. As everyone has stated, it can be made to work but IMHO it is not ideal.

It has been awhile since I checked it out, since I now usually opt to use my 4x10 utility trailer to carry the large sheet goods.

Thanks for the effort with the pictures and explanation. Doug

 

[blazinlow89]

True, but there seems to be confusion with the SWB width. If I know I am picking up sheets of wood I will usually throw a couple 2x4's in the truck. Flipped on their sides raises it high enough to clear the wheel well humps and keeps stuff off the seals.

Of course the TB does have its limits, and there are ways to over come that.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Needed duct tape there...

 

[blazinlow89]

Needed duct tape there...

Always a necessity.

 

[Real McCoy]

Of course the TB does have its limits, and there are ways to over come that.

I bet that steering had a nice "light" feel with that load!!

Doug

 

[IllogicTC]

All I gotta say is, when it comes down to it, if the trim has to take one for the team then so be it. If you're worried, bring a couple blankets. It wouldn't take that long to get the sides wrapped up, come on. As a bonus, they'd take some of the saw dust that may end up on the carpet.

If you want a vehicle that has to be impeccable, get a Ferrari. For everyone else, hey whatever man. A friend of my ex's dad helped him buy his Dodge. His Dodge has been put to good use. The friend, though? Bought a diesel dually, all-options yadda yadda.... wouldn't haul a dog turd in it. Too afraid of nicking the paint inside the truck bed. If one is so worried about such frivolous things in a life this short, they're either hopeless, OCD, or very very proud.