Jalvis Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 (edited) The greatest problem for the construction trades and the Transit Connect is loading a 4x8 sheet goods. After much thought and trips to the dealer my resolution is as follows: Install quich release mechanisms to the frot passenger seat similar to those in other vehicles. One could easily remove the seat and latch it to the rear of the drivers side therefore allowing a passenger if needed. By removing the the seat sheet good are allowed to be stored on edge and secured to the side for safe transport. What do you think? Does this seem viable? Edited August 21, 2011 by Jalvis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
103west43rd Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 The greatest problem for the construction trades and the Transit Connect is loading a 4x8 sheet goods. After much thought and trips to the dealer my resolution is as follows: Install quich release mechanisms to the frot passenger seat similar to those in other vehicles. One could easily remove the seat and latch it to the rear of the drivers side therefore allowing a passenger if needed. By removing the the seat sheet good are allowed to be stored on edge and secured to the side for safe transport. What do you think? Does this seem viable? The distance from the inside of the rear door to the overhead shelf is 89 inches. A 4X8 still wil not fit inside even with the front passenger seat removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jalvis Posted August 26, 2011 Author Share Posted August 26, 2011 Has anyone tryed a side rack that could hold sheets on edge? Something like a glass carrier only simpler thats attached to the outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leprechaun Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Has anyone tryed a side rack that could hold sheets on edge? Something like a glass carrier only simpler thats attached to the outside. I've recently seen a TC with "outriggers". I couldn't get closer to him than three or four cars (he was really scooting, rapid acceleration from stoplight and zipping through traffic -- did he maybe have a turbo retrofit? <grin> I did see him take a corner ahead of me and it didn't tip over, though personally I'd be very leery of sway with the stock suspension/tires/wheels. So it seems that some TC owners have found those side-mounted carriers to be a good solution. Cheers! -Lep- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kndlkstms Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Unbolt the seat,OK. Unplug the airbag connector,might be asking for trouble $$$$$.Shop manual has section on powering down airbag system with lots and lots of warnings.Skip it and go to plan B,or C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smartcarp Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 Folding passenger seat in uk, ie folds flat to cargo deck height, then 8x4 sheets fit (just) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 On 8/25/2011 at 8:36 PM, Jalvis said: Has anyone tryed a side rack that could hold sheets on edge? Something like a glass carrier only simpler thats attached to the outside. Then what happens to the doors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 On 8/21/2011 at 4:36 PM, Jalvis said: What do you think? Does this seem viable? Suppose you remove the front seat entirely, and the overhead storage shelf, would the passenger side mirror be visible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Home Depot and Lowe's both rent trucks . I use a trailer with mine, that makes it easy . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beta Don Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 I would think if you're in a construction trade, you would probably need a roof rack for several things and carrying 4 x 8 sheets would be one of them Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 In construction trade you would be better off with a light trailer. Much safer and more functional plus better load rating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 2 hours ago, Beta Don said: I would think if you're in a construction trade, you would probably need a roof rack for several things and carrying 4 x 8 sheets would be one of them Don Not every tradesman works with sheetrock & plywood. Plenty of electricians, plumbers, glaziers....have never hung a wall, patched a roof, or installed flooring. But I would think that if you were in a trade where you do use sheetrock & plywood, you would buy an appropriate vehicle for the job, as opposed to trying to do it in a Transit Connect. I have a pickup truck for my hauling needs......whether it's building material, when I shoot a deer, appliances, furniture, motorcycles, camping gear.....but I can't haul people. I have a little Honda for easy parking and better mileage, but it can't haul people. Rather than trying to convert my truck or subcompact into a people hauler, I bought the appropriate vehicle.....my Transit Connect. Of course, I do understand that it's not possible for everyone to own more than one vehicle, or be able to afford the vehicle that you really need or want........makes for quite the conundrum. There's a guy in my neighborhood who drives a tractor trailer, and brings his cab home. Then I see him dropping off his kid at school, because it's on the way to work, with his truck cab. Quite the sight. But he said that he couldn't afford another car at the moment, lives in an apartment without a parking space, and his option is to use his Freightliner truck cab as a daily driver, or simply take the bus. I guess he is in the position where he owns that truck, and works as a contractor or subcontractor hauling other people's local loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beta Don Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 "Not every tradesman works with sheetrock & plywood. Plenty of electricians, plumbers, glaziers....have never hung a wall, patched a roof, or installed flooring. Obviously But many (most) of those still have need of ladders, lengths of pipe, or other unusual items which are easier to carry around on a roof rack than inside their vans . . . . and then, if one day they did happen to need a sheet of plywood, well that could go on the rack as well Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted January 31, 2017 Share Posted January 31, 2017 3 hours ago, Beta Don said: But many (most) of those still have need of ladders, lengths of pipe, or other unusual items which are easier to carry around on a roof rack than inside their vans . . . . and then, if one day they did happen to need a sheet of plywood, well that could go on the rack as well Don Don, I always get a kick out of going to Home Depot and Lowes, and seeing all those crew cab Toyotas with short beds. 6, sometimes 7, guys are squeezed in there; and the tailgate is always down with material hanging off the back. I guess for that guy, it's more important to be able to transport his crew. I've never owned a short bed truck. But if I had a bunch of guys who all needed a ride to work, I would get a crew cab with a long bed. They exist. The City's fleet is full of crew cab, long bed pickup trucks. Even Nissan sold them. http://www.forbes.com/2001/07/09/0709test.html The one problem, as Nissan saw it, was that nobody was offering what people really wanted: a four-door pickup that also had a large enough bed to actually be useful for hauling building supplies and other big objects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted January 31, 2017 Share Posted January 31, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim53 Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 I wish the TC was long enough for 4x8 sheets of plywood. As for pickups, I've not found anything quite suitable for that without going to a single cab full-size truck. I did have a standard cab Ranger pickup for a few years. It had a 6' bed, which was okay, but the 5-speed and 4 banger made up for that in mileage. For a very long time, I've been using a 1960 VW singlecab pickup with a 5 1/2' by 8 1/2' bed. And with the sides folded down, the bed makes a great workbench. VW still makes all the variations of the Transporter, but they havent' imported them into the US for over 40 years. jrm223 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 That almost makes me want to chop & fabricate my van into...........naw! Too much work. And it wouldn't be worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 (edited) You can have those with the correct badge too. You hardly see a pickup truck in construction business over here because of the limited payload and size. Edited September 25, 2021 by mrtn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beta Don Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 You hardly see pick-ups anywhere except North America . . . . and here, they're used most often just to get the driver to wherever he's going - No passengers, no cargo and towing nothing - 4 doors, an 8 foot bed, weighing 6,000 pounds, nearly impossible to park and only being used for basic transportation. That's what $2 gas gets you Don Eddy Kilowatt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 My pickup has an 8 foot bed and holds all the passengers I need. For what I use it for it is great!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 1 hour ago, G B L said: My pickup has an 8 foot bed and holds all the passengers I need. For what I use it for it is great!! Transporting illegals? herb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) I would Need a Cap for that Edited March 5, 2017 by G B L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 On 3/4/2017 at 11:48 AM, mrtn said: Transporting illegals? In the effort to make America Great Again, I pick up as many as I can from my local Home Depot parking lot, and transport them right up to the front door of the INS building. herb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 herb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nord Posted January 20, 2019 Share Posted January 20, 2019 4 x 8 sheets do fit in the LWB. Front passenger seat forward, folded down. Slide sheet in, passenger side low, drivers side high, over headrest. Prop up with stick etc. up towards roof for adequate head room. Not that the first sheet is easy but it fits. I prop up the back end of the sheet as well but it doesn't need to be that high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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