Not everyone knows how to safely load the plywood they just bought at the lumber yard onto the roof racks of their car, or their trailer. I’ve seen attempts that were utterly dangerous.

When loading plywood onto your car, weight and aerodynamics are a big deal. 

Weight is Crucial

Only take as many sheets as your roof rack can handle. You’ll want to avoid overloading it with excessive weight because the dynamics of that weight changes dramatically as the car and plywood accelerate and reach high speeds. Check the manufacturers warranty to see what they say is the weight limit, and then follow it.

Get someone to help you lift each sheet, especially on a windy day. Just a small gust of wind can increase the likelihood of it getting away from you if you attempt to do it by yourself. Most lumberyards are quite willing to lend a hand. It’s usually their human nature to help, but it also ensures your safe return to their store. 

Aerodynamics are Important

Once the first sheet is up – and this is one of the most unrecognized steps – slide it towards the back of the vehicle so there is only about a foot protruding out past the edge of the windshield. This will maintain better aerodynamics, as placing it too far forward will make it susceptible to being lifted by the wind as you reach higher speeds, thus creating a dangerous situation. (This is also true for mattresses) Once the first sheet is in place, go ahead and load the rest, again, be sure you are within the limits of your racks’ strength. 

Do not use bungee cords for securing the plywood, as their elasticity can lead to inadequate tension. They are designed to stretch and that’s just what they’ll do when enough tension is applied. Instead, use proper tie-down straps or ropes to secure the load firmly and prevent shifting during transit. 

We, of course, recommend FlipTite tie-down straps for a tight, reliable grip to be sure your cargo makes it safely to its destination. Depending on how many sheets of plywood you are planning to haul at one time a 10 or 12 foot FlipTite Endless straps will work perfectly. 

Begin by placing the buckle so that the buckle is resting on the top sheet with the “feed” end facing you. Slide it towards the center several inches in from the edge. Throw the webbing over to the other side. Lace the end of the webbing under the bar of the roof rack, pull it through until there is no slack. Send the rest of it back over to the first side. Repeat lacing it under the bar, and continue until there is no slack. The end of the webbing now is fed into the buckle as explained in this video.