I don’t have a truck.
When it comes to hauling long pieces of wood, I have to make it work with what I have – a 2019 Honda Pilot. The good news is that
the Honda Pilot has tons of space in the rear – especially when you fold the second and third row seats down. This, combined with a
cheap little tie down strap – Keeper trunk tie down – makes it easy to transport long items.
Update after a couple years of use: I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve used this thing! It’s SOOOO easy and works perfectly!!
Here’s the link for the Keeper Trunk Tie-Down on Amazon.com:
How to tie down a rear hatch/trunk?
In order to tie down a rear cargo hatch, simply clip one end of the keeper trunk tie down onto your latch striker and insert the other end into the hatch/trunk lock mechanism. Then, tighten the strap to keep the hatch or trunk closed.
Start by clipping one end to your trunk latch striker.
Push the other end into your lock mechanism.
Pull the strap to adjust the length.
I find it helpful to shove a towel or something soft in between whatever I’m hauling and the hatch so that the hatch doesn’t
bounce around while driving.
This little hatch strap has come in handy so many times. The best part is it was cheap. I think I paid around $6 on Amazon in 2021.
I keep it in the back of my Honda in case I ever need to use it. Yeah, it would be nice to have a truck. Someday I will. But in the meantime, this works pretty dang good.
Alternatives:
- Rope
- Bungee Cords
- Tie Down Straps
A couple related things to think about:
- Overhang regulations may vary by state, but all states should have a minimum allowance of 4 feet in the rear.
- Secure your cargo. You definitely don’t want things flying out the back while driving.
- Driving with an open hatch may create negative air pressure that sucks the exhaust into the vehicle cabin. Make sure you crack the windows and turn the fan on for good air flow through the vehicle.
Give it a try and let me know in the comments what you think of it!