I have a small backyard project which will need few 4x4 lumber pieces. Just for this, I do not want to rent a truck. I was wondering what is the longest piece of lumber I can fit inside the Scion xB?

It is 2014 year model. I think it is considered the second generation. But if I am mistaken, please let me know where it is more appropriate to post this question.

I will be the only person in the car. I can remove the headrest on passenger side if need be and pad the lumber ends coming up against the windshield. Distance is about 5 miles and involves no freeway driving.

Thank you.

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If it's only a couple 4x4s then you can get away with 10 ft. lengths. I've done 12 ft. but with thinner pieces so they were more flexible.

 

Thank you for your response. I Need about 14 pieces of 12 feet 4x4s, but at the end they will be cut in to 2, 6-ft pieces, for the sake of lack of (or cost inefficiency of) buying twice as many 6 ft pieces.
Although I can not fathom how you can place a 12 ft long of any wood kind of into 2014 xB.

Could you please elaborate how you managed that, even if it is for thinner (how thin is my question) wood?

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1/4 x 2" trim boards put all the way up to the windshield, front and rear seats down, and arched slightly so the hatch could close.

Depending on where you are buying them I would just have the lumber yard cut them in half for you. It'll make it a lot easier to transport. Many places will cut them at no charge.

 

Just made some car ramps and so I can say that you can get 8 foot long sections in with the front and rear seats down (front head rest off, seat fwd max) and the door just closes.


Check out the start of the build part 1 movie also. Those 4x6's are heavy.
You can move the front of the wood up to fit on the dash and get longer bits in as noted above.
You can use bungee cords to hold the hatch down, but you have to watch for stuff sliding backwards on acceleration, I wonder how I know that???

Best bet if you have a bunch of stuff to move is to put a trailer hitch on it. Then you are set.

Start Photo by RichBinAZ | Photobucket

The 5x8 trailer costs about $20 a day from Uhaul and it works great. Done it multiple times, no damage to the frame. Burns fuel like crazy though.

Scion xB Towing Photo by RichBinAZ | Photobucket

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If you're going to cut those 4x4's down anyway, the lumber yard will do one cut free (most places). Home Depot would give you a free truck rental for purchases over 100 dollars not too long ago (limit on time and miles). Not sure if that is still an option.