Quote:
Originally Posted by tbomachines
Quite honestly, I wouldn't skimp on this, especially if you ever plan on going on the highway.
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I guess you better stay off the road then. Many tractor trailers have floors made of wood, ever heard of a "Woody", or looked in the bed of an old pickup? It depends a lot on how you lash things down and the lumber dimensions though and you should over do it rather than under.
Lumber can be just as safe as a factory rack. I recently needed to go pick up some wheels, and there was not enough room in the back. So, I used two 1x4s cut to length. I bolted the 1bys on with 5/8" u-bolts. I also put some 3/16" hose over the bolts to protect the chrome on the bars. All the lumber did in this case was provide a support under the wheels, and I lashed them on with two ratchet straps. Get long enough u-bolts and you can use a 2x4 if the extra strength is needed. 1x4s worked fine for what I needed. Good luck, and yes keep it safe.