Flat on a supported bed
A full sheet catches wind the moment it stands on edge above the rails. Lay sheets flat on the bed floor or on a trailer deck, stacked evenly, with the edges that overhang supported or kept within what the vehicle and the road rules allow. If a sheet must hang past the bed, flag it and keep the overhang as short as the cut allows. Better, cut sheets to a manageable size at home if you are hauling scrap, not new material you need whole. Support the middle of a long stack so it does not sag and drag. Drywall is brittle. A bouncing stack will arrive as crumbs unless it is strapped tight and not crowned over a single beam.
Strap across the stack
Use at least two straps across the width, padded at the edges so the webbing does not crush the corners or slice through. The top sheet is the one that flies. It needs the strap, not just the weight of hope. Do not rely on the tailgate alone. A tailgate holds a short stack from sliding out. It does not hold a tall stack from lifting. If the sheets are scrap mixed with nails and screws, glove up and do not slide your hand between layers. Bag loose drywall crumbs so they do not pour out at a stop.
Unload without breaking the stack on someone
At the bay, release one strap at a time while a second person stands clear, not in the path of a sliding sheet. Pull sheets off one by one if they are heavy. A stack of wet drywall is much heavier than it looks. If you cannot slide a sheet safely, break the trip into a smaller stack. Do not drop a full sheet flat on the tipping floor from cab height. It can shatter and throw pieces into the lane. Set it down where the attendant told you construction debris belongs.
Before you go
- Lay sheets flat and supported, not standing above the cab as a sail.
- Strap the stack in at least two places and pad the edges.
- Flag any overhang that the rules require you to mark.
- Slide sheets off one at a time at the bay.
Balancing drywall on edge against the cab with a single loose rope.
Questions people ask
Can I put sheets on a roof rack?
Only if the rack is rated for that size and you can strap them flat without creating a dangerous sail. For scrap, the bed or a trailer is the better place. Dense stacks do not belong on a car roof.
Should new plywood and scrap ride together?
Keep a clean reusable sheet separate so it is not stained or broken by debris. Scrap goes to the site. New material goes back to the shop.
Search Dumpmapper by ZIP code or city, then call the site before you load the truck. Hours and accepted materials change.