I will be going on a trip and have the chance to pick up some prefinished granite countertops on the way back at a great price. They are 25.5″ by 96″ bullnosed on three sides. What would be the best way to transport them in a pick up. As I understand transporting them on edge is best. I would like to build some sort of rack or shipping crate before going, I will be brining back two or three tops. Any ideas would be appreciated. They may have to go in at diagonal in order for the tail gate to close should the length be a bit more then 96″ the bed is full size 8′. Last summer I picked up a small 4′ piece on a trial run. but we packed that between some suite cases without a problem. Yes I know it is heavy.
Wallyo
Thanks for all and any thoughts, Oh we leave this Saturday.
Replies
Make yourself a basic A-frame is the typical approach. Given that you want to carry them diagonally in the pickup bed this probably won't work.
I have considered building stationary storage racks for granite by boring some holes in some lengths of 4by4 and dropping foam covered pipes in the holes. I would then slip the granite between the pipes.
This seems fine for stationary but a bit iffy for a truck ride.
If you can leave the tailgate open then do the A-frame.
Karl
I have seen racks used to carry car windshields
Something like that might work
Good luck!
forget about angled insert. Take the tailgate off or leave it open
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I can do that or leave it down, it comes off easy enough we are planning on picking it up on the day before coming home, I will bring something to wrap it in should I need to take it off and tie straps. I just measured the bed I have 8' 1/4" from top rim to closed tail gate.
Edited 7/29/2008 10:39 am ET by wallyo
How much is this going to weigh and how big of a truck do you have?
You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
It is a Seirra 1500 full 8' bed extended cab pickup which including passengers and driver some light luggage and the counters should handle 1800 pounds easy. the Granite weighs about 200 pounds per counter. 12.lb/ft for 3/4 granite x 2ft x 8ft = 192lb.They would probably crate it for me at a fee but I want to bring it back the best way possible.
They are in the business of selling granite not building crates that is why I am being cautious.WallyoAnyone have some photos of rack ideas?
wallyo
One point I'd like to make. Don't be afraid to drive with the tailgate down with a load in the bed.
I've made countless trips to the sawmill hauling wood back I have a short box (6 1/2 foot) yet I regularly hauled a full load back home of 8 1/2 footers plus with the tailgate down and nothing more than gravity holding the wood in place.. I never once lost a single board or timber.
Start uphill or whatever and never lost a single piece. I give full credit to the rubber mat in place. Normal steel beds can get pretty slippery especially when wet. That rubber mat provided all the friction I'd need to haul as much wood as that poor truck could carry without any straps..
Strap it if you feel more comfortable but a decent rubber mat was all I ever used and it's worked fine hauling home stone wood or whatever..
I have a sprayed in bed liner that helps. If i need to keep the tailgate down I will do so, would prefer to have it up though if I can. I will be brining extra ties.Wallyo
Edited 7/31/2008 2:16 am ET by wallyo
wallyo.
I'm not familar with those (i've seen them but never used them) do they prevent material sliding like a rubber mat does?
Chevy tailgates lift off in seconds if you don't like it down.
Depends which one mine is a line x it has some grasp, more then just a steel bed but the more weight the less sliding, Rino liners do a lot to stop sliding they are more rubbery but you can slice through them easier with something that has sharp edges.Wallyo
Keep it vertical, never horizontal. Here is what I use. Picked up two 8 footers the other day. Tie it down well.
If I were to need three slabs do you recommend two racks or if I made the bottom lip big enough can get two slabs on one side face to face with some sheet foam or card board between them. Your rack is what I was thinking of, the diagonal brace is a nice touch, how tall and long and wide is it?Just curious your profile is not filled out was wondering where did you got your counters?Thanks Wallyo
I think its about 4 1/2 feet long. You might want to make your legs 8 ft long, with the A frames at 1 1/2 and 6 1/2 ft to keep it from shifting in your bed. My experience is that 8 ft slabs are exactly 8 ft and will fit your truck.
Double up on one side--no problem--make to foot wider. Tie it down, drive slow, no sharp turns and bring a friend. You wont have any trouble.Mine have come from a local salvage co in Massachusetts.
Are they salvage or new? I am picking mine up in the San francisco bay area.Wallyo
The recent ones were new. Chinese. 25x96 Price ranges $175-250 depending on color, with splashes. But only 2 cm thick (3/4) Good finish. Bullnose one side only, but they also had inside 25x25 corner pieces w/bullnosed radius inside corner.
One piece ended up as a fireplace surround on a fireplace I rebuilt in a greek revival house.
Can you share your source for the granite in MA?
Thanks
These are Chinese too, but he has Brazilian, and Indian also. The Chinese starts at 59 add 10 for each side bullnose. 59 gets you salmon peach, 69 gets you mint brown,pepper white and royal salmon light, all the way up to 415 for one from india.wallyo
Slight tangent here but how do you attach a dishwasher to a granite counter top?
I saw one recently that appeared to be glued to the counter top.
Some drill into the granite and epoxy insets in then screw to those, if you put down a wood sub base screw into that if you have drop down false bullnose.. But recently dishwasher manufactures have been adding optional side brackets I know Bosch does.Wallyo