# My next car needs to be able to fit a piece of plywood in it.... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 25, 2010, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482 "2010-06-25T13:37:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2010, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482/41 "2010-06-28T11:02:54Z")
I would also recommend using roof racks. Set up properly, with a properly secured load, they are quite effective. We used to move sheets of 4x8 material on top of my Dad’s economy car all the time with such a rig, no problems, even in Chicago with high winds. One day the wind blew US over while we were unloading, but we never lost a load off the roof while driving. Get yourself a pair of [ratchet straps](http://www.metas.sk/upinacie_en.php), and you should do fine. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482/42 "2010-06-28T16:55:42Z")
4x8 plywood won’t fit in an older model Outback. I don’t know about the criminally bloated version that they released in 2010, but I think they mostly made it taller, not wider. I’ve carried plywood on top of the roof racks many a time. (And if you have to carry sheetrock on top of a car, sandwich it between two layers of plywood, or it \* is \* going to fold up and blow away. ---
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482/43 "2010-06-28T19:25:23Z")
Last two cars (in the UK) Kia Sedona and Volvo Estate. Both take an 8x4 board with a little sloping. I just need a box on 4 wheels (a box that takes an 8 by 4 that is!) Check first- European 8 x 4 is now 2400by 1200mm!! ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Pedant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2010, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482/44 "2010-06-28T19:51:48Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > So, where can I find a web resource that will tell me what cars will or won’t fit a piece of plywood in it? > > I don’t need it to be completely enclosed in there - it can stick out the back a bit with no big worries as long as it’s safe. I just need the horizontal width to fit it in the vehicle. > > I really don’t want a pickup, and I’d prefer to avoid an SUV unless it’s something like a Honda CRV. Ideally I’d like something like a Subaru Outback or something. > > Anyone know where I can find a good list on stuff like this? > > -Joe When I was looking at minivans, it seems to me the Chrysler and Honda minivans would but the Toyota would not, take a 4x8 flat. ---
**Author:** ![snowmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@snowmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowmaster)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482/45 "2010-06-29T14:53:13Z")
While I’m sure its a foregone conclusion that you won’t be buying one, a long-body Ford Aerostar will fit a good number for 4 x 8 sheets on top of the folded-down seats, all enclosed in the vehicle. I miss my van. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482/46 "2010-06-29T16:03:09Z")
VW Vanagon, fold down the rear seat and you can stack 4 x 8 sheets of plywood to your heart’s content. Close the hatch and drive away. Slowly. Possibly with a leak or two. Okay, so you will likely not buy a Vanagon, I love mine. ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482/47 "2010-06-29T23:30:20Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Your earlier Ford Escort had a flat floor space of 4 feet wide? I really, really doubt that. That’s the standard between wheel wheels on full sized pick ups. Not S-10’s. Full size. > > The Honda Fit can take a 10 foot surf board and close the tail gate? The overall lenght of the ENTIRE car end bumper to end bumper is 13.4 feet. > > I have a large midsized SUV. Pathfinder. I can get 10 foot long lumber in and close the gate if I run it all the way up to the dashboard. Color me surprised if a 13 foot long Fit can fit a 10 foot surf board in it and close the hatch. \*Mea culpa. \* My apologies. I was relying on my memory and goofed, as usual when I do that. But I didn’t say the 4’ wide board would fit flat on the floor. As I remember it, it would fit on top of the wheel well enclosures. But I could be wrong - I got rid of that wagon in 2000. As for the Fit fit, I got that wrong, too. 7.9 feet is its internal capacity front-to-back, on the passenger side (see link to Wikipedia article). Still don’t know its vertical dimension. Maybe I’ll carry my tape measure to a car lot (for a Fit) or a junk yard (for the Focus). > **[Honda Fit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Fit)** > > The Honda Fit (Japanese: ホンダ・フィット, Hepburn: Honda Fitto) or Honda Jazz is a small car manufactured and marketed by Honda since 2001 over four generations. It has a five-door hatchback body style and is considered a supermini in the United Kingdom, a subcompact car in the United States, and a light car in Australia. Marketed worldwide and manufactured at ten plants in eight countries, sales reached almost 5 million by mid-2013. Honda uses the "Jazz" nameplate in Europe, Oceania, Sharing Honda... ---
**Author:** ![corsaconvertible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ac91a4/32.png) [@corsaconvertible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corsaconvertible)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2013, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482/48 "2013-03-17T04:30:55Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > So, where can I find a web resource that will tell me what cars will or won’t fit a piece of plywood in it? > > I don’t need it to be completely enclosed in there - it can stick out the back a bit with no big worries as long as it’s safe. I just need the horizontal width to fit it in the vehicle. > > I really don’t want a pickup, and I’d prefer to avoid an SUV unless it’s something like a Honda CRV. Ideally I’d like something like a Subaru Outback or something. > > Anyone know where I can find a good list on stuff like this? > > -Joe A Toyota Previa minivan will hold 4x8 sheets of plywood or drywall completely enclosed. The rear seats need to be folded up and the center seats removed. In addition, the two front seats must be slid all the way forward. A little difficult driving for a 6 footer slid that far forward, but it works. It’s a very nice and comfortable mid-engine minivan that typically gets over 20 mpg. Very reliable too. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2013, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482/49 "2013-03-17T13:12:34Z")
For the few occasions on which you’re actually going to need full sheets, just pay the delivery fee. It’s much easier, it easily pays off in gas mileage in the long run (and not very long at that). ---
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2013, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482/50 "2013-03-17T13:44:36Z")
I know the OP has likely solved their problem, but they don’t make SUVs and minivans just for soccer moms. Although it’s actually getting harder to find a real SUV instead of a blown up car, some people use them to haul stuff that can’t be done easily in a car, like sheets of plywood. As ugly as the Aztek was, it could haul sheets of plywood easily, something even then a lot of SUVs couldn’t do. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2013, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482/51 "2013-03-17T15:28:09Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > > [@Gary T](#): > > > > One way to avoid it is to learn how to properly attach a load to the rack, including a knowledge of knots. A well-strapped load with the right knots isn’t going anywhere. > > [You can say that again.](http://web.acsalaska.net/~fmurtley/lumber.jpg) I’ve seen that picture before, but seeing it after the above remarks, I just now realized that a shifting load is exactly what happened. With the load horizontal and centered on the roof, it was supported by all four wheels and the car could move. It didn’t have the right knots, so the load slid backwards putting all the weight on the rear wheels and grounded the car. Not that it would have been a good idea even _with_ the right knots. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2013, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482/52 "2013-03-18T00:22:47Z")
Volvo XC70 Wagon - should hold plywood leaned diagonally. I know theres a bunch of room back there. One of my coworkers has one. I’ve been in it a few times. They’re Nice wagons. review of 5 wagons. > **[Five Hot Station Wagons Your Dad Should Buy Right Now (and Five You Wish He...](https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2012/06/best-cars-for-fathers-day)** > > Don’t have a Father’s Day gift lined up? Our automotive columnist prescribes five models of a slick, efficient, un-giftwrap-able solution: the station wagon. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2013, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482/53 "2013-03-18T04:15:15Z")
The other good choice is a Econoline Van. Preferably the E-250. That’s the basic cargo van. You can get driver friendly options like cruise control, power windows, carpet etc. Make it as nice as you want. I drive one every day. I’ve hauled plywood, bags of cement, gravel, topsoil etc. I keep a tarp spread out in the cargo area to protect the carpet. The E-250 has a heavy duty suspension and can handle the weight. Plywood of course has to be leaned up at an angle. It won’t fit between the rear wheel wells and you have to tie the rear doors shut with a bungee cord. There’s usually about 2 feet of plywood or lumber sticking out the back. I tie a red rag on it and it’s safe in traffic. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2013, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482/54 "2013-03-18T04:27:49Z")
I doubt the OP has been pondering the question for three years. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2013, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482/55 "2013-03-18T09:47:25Z")
> [@Ignatz](#): > > The back door opening on my Frod Fucus wagon is 45". The 4’ board would easily fit in it on the diagonal. If I remember correctly, my earlier Frod Escort wagon would take it flat. They will stick out the back. Check on the fit of the Honda Fit. They’ll take a 10’ surfboard, with the rear closed. If the vertical clearance is 48" or nearly so, it would work, possibly with a slight lean. I just got to have me one of them Frod Fucus wagons! 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-next-car-needs-to-be-able-to-fit-a-piece-of-plywood-in-it/544482.md?page=2)