6

I have to travel about a quarter mile through the wilderness, carrying a 4x8 each time to get to a remote building location. Some of the terrain can be tricky, otherwise I might fall in the water. Any ideas on the best way to carry a 4x8 panel?

I am imagining a clever backpack contraption.

Are there any tools, strategies, or methods one can recommend for achieving this?

Improve this question
11
  • 1
    First, one 2x8 and a sack of 10d nails. Then another 2x8 and a tube of construction adhesive. Perhaps a hammer if suitable rocks are not available.
    – user23752
    Oct 18, 2014 at 2:37
  • 2
    Panel handles = lowes.com/pd_86688-61896-86688_0__?productId=3727645 , personally I just use gloves, these things are silly.
    – Mazura
    Oct 18, 2014 at 3:15
  • 2
    After a 1\4 mile I might change my position about how stupid they are.
    – Mazura
    Oct 18, 2014 at 3:18
  • 1
    There are bike trailers which can be equipped with brackets to hold a plywood panel almost-vertically, 8' edge down. Would almost certainly NOT work over rough terrain, though.
    – keshlam
    Oct 18, 2014 at 4:30
  • 3
    Are you talking 4'x8' panels? Or 4"x8" beams?
    – Chris Cudmore
    Oct 20, 2014 at 20:06

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
10

Here's a low-tech method that's worked well for me:

enter image description here

Attach a loop of rope around the bottom corners and pull it up in the middle on the outside with your arm going over it and your other arm holding it stable in your armpit.

Improve this answer
1
  • Can you enter a description? Sometimes the images don't come through, and the answer becomes useless.
    – Chris Cudmore
    Oct 21, 2014 at 13:14
4

You might find that spending a little time and effort upgrading your 1/4 mile path, potentially even building some small bridges for the water hazards, pays large benefits in the ease of hauling materials to your building site. You could probably also customize a wheelbarrow for the panel-carrying job - ideally starting with one that needs a new pan, or else starting with a (sturdy) bicycle wheel and making it from the ground up. To carry a 4x8 foot panel effectively you want handles nearly 6 feet long, so you may need to go custom anyway. The panel can overhang the wheel a bit, but the center of the panel needs to be on the same side as the handles, and you need enough room to hold the handles and not hit your face on the panels.

I will share that single-wheel wheelbarrows are much better on a non-level (side to side) path than two-wheel versions, as you can hold the single-wheel type upright, while the two-wheel cart follows any tilt in the path, and can be more prone to tip over as a result. You should also beware of the urge to load as much as you can pick up into a wheelbarrow - it gets heavy on a 1/4 mile trip, and then you may end up dumping it before you reach the end.

Improve this answer
3
  • 1
    The easiest way to carry the 4x8 is to bobcat a road, pour concrete and drive it there.
    – DMoore
    Oct 21, 2014 at 6:24
  • @DMoore plus you get to rent a bobcat!
    – DA01
    Oct 22, 2014 at 22:52
  • @DA01 - bobcatting is definitely up there on the fun scale. I seem to be an expert at digging holes but not so much on making the ground flat.
    – DMoore
    Oct 23, 2014 at 5:48

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.