DIYer issue with no sliding rear window

[farmingdalesfinest]

I currently have a 2014 1500 which I love but my son got a 2500 Big Horn a week ago. Seeing his truck gave me the new truck itch but his doesn't have the sliding rear window. My truck has one and I went to get trim for my living room this weekend and I was able to open the window and run it from the dash to the tailgate.

How are DIYer's getting around this issue? If I put it in the bed and angled it above the roof it would have been sticking up at least 4-5 feet above the roof and potentially broken by the wind or getting caught by overhead branches. If I was a professional I would invest in a bed rack, but that wouldn't be compatible from what I saw with most tonneau covers. I don't need the window open often but would prefer it and from what I have seen with my sons truck and what is on the local lots I am not seeing the window.

 

[HarryN]

When I get a truck, my "hope / plan" is:
- 3500 SRW megacab, which comes with the short bed.
- RAM box option for misc stuff
- Build a DIY sort of topper "box" that is sort of like a truck camper - but really just a rectangular box that sits on the bed floor with doors in back. So it would not extend over the sides like a normal topper or truck camper.

- I build mobile electrical systems, so one of those inside of that "box"
- High enough to put plywood on it's side to slide in and hang out the back
- Put long stuff directly on top of that box or on an 8020 self built rack
- "Possibly" extend the box so it is a few feet over the cab by using 10 ft plywood

Toying with the idea of the box being long enough that the tailgate is always down, but that is unclear.

Possibly just keeping a 6 ft electrician's ladder in the box all of the time. ( I weigh too much for a normal ladder and they are more stable )

I am estimating that this will put 500 - 1000 lbs in the bed all of the time, so it drives the 3500 decision.

 

[sstoner911]

I currently have a 2014 1500 which I love but my son got a 2500 Big Horn a week ago. Seeing his truck gave me the new truck itch but his doesn't have the sliding rear window. My truck has one and I went to get trim for my living room this weekend and I was able to open the window and run it from the dash to the tailgate.

How are DIYer's getting around this issue? If I put it in the bed and angled it above the roof it would have been sticking up at least 4-5 feet above the roof and potentially broken by the wind or getting caught by overhead branches. If I was a professional I would invest in a bed rack, but that wouldn't be compatible from what I saw with most tonneau covers. I don't need the window open often but would prefer it and from what I have seen with my sons truck and what is on the local lots I am not seeing the window.

I would never transport anything sticking through the rear slider, that's just me.

I am guessing he has a short bed? I would angle the trim passenger corner to drivers corner if it only ever hangs by 24 in with a red flag on the end. Depending what the longest length you need may get shorter lengths of trim or cut them down.

Rent a trailer?

I have not seen to many Bighorns without a rear slider, usually its the Tradevman's I see with no slider. Just depends on how they order them.

 

[Boxerrider]

My Tradesman-level 2024 2500 came with a rear slider, although I have never run material through it. I'm seldom hauling anything less than 50 miles or under 70 mph, and I take my load management fairly seriously. I've seen many things leave vehicles ahead of me unexpectedly while motorcycle traveling (trash, furniture, toys, lumber, sheets of drywall) and always consider how safe I would feel following my truck before I start out.
I have an 8 foot bed, but material is often 10-12 feet long, so I still run into your problem.
Stretch wrap loose pieces together at each end and one or two places in between. This really stiffens them up so they aren't flailing around. One end in the bed against the front, and the other end out of the back of the bed. If it's heavy - tailgate down, material flat, and straight out of the back. Light stuff like a few sticks of molding - I keep the tailgate up and rest the material on top of it. Straps at the front and back to keep it all in. Floppy stuff like thin molding, small pvc pipe, etc. especially a single piece - you can't really put much force on a strap or it will permanently deform or break. Sometimes I'll wrap the strap around the material, snug the strap, and then stretch wrap that spot to prevent things from sliding out of place. Depending on the length, I may run it diagonally, and attach both ends of each strap to the same tie-down point. That kind of wedges everything into place without requiring a lot of force.
Be aware of your state and local requirements for loads that exceed the size of your vehicle. A little bit longer usually doesn't require anything special, and at some length you'll need a red flag. Requirements go up from there, though I doubt you're exceeding that.

Enjoy!

 

[farmingdalesfinest]

I would never transport anything sticking through the rear slider, that's just me.

I am guessing he has a short bed? I would angle the trim passenger corner to drivers corner if it only ever hangs by 24 in with a red flag on the end. Depending what the longest length you need may get shorter lengths of trim or cut them down.

Rent a trailer?

I have not seen to many Bighorns without a rear slider, usually its the Tradevman's I see with no slider. Just depends on how they order them.

The trim was 12 feet long it will not fit in any truck bed and why I used the sliding window in mine but that looks like not an option on most of the newer trucks. Like it’s not even a custom order option available for most builds. That’s the reason for my question.

They are turning a truck into a glorified car. I had a Yukon XL and had my house flooded by Hurricane Sandy. I folded the seats down and was able to have plywood and drywall fit inside as well as this same length trim. It’s absolutely insane that something that is more a people mover is more utilitarian than a HD truck.

 

[HarryN]

I think on the GM trucks, there is an option to have an opening from the cab to the bed for similar reasons like this.

I have moved longer items in my old mini van using the same methods of extending things into the front seat area ( between the seats ) , but was able to just drive short distances.

A clever DIYer could find a way to make the rear window removable as needed.

 

[sstoner911]

The trim was 12 feet long it will not fit in any truck bed and why I used the sliding window in mine but that looks like not an option on most of the newer trucks. Like it’s not even a custom order option available for most builds. That’s the reason for my question.

They are turning a truck into a glorified car. I had a Yukon XL and had my house flooded by Hurricane Sandy. I folded the seats down and was able to have plywood and drywall fit inside as well as this same length trim. It’s absolutely insane that something that is more a people mover is more utilitarian than a HD truck.

Sliding rear windows on Ram is an option on every Trim Level...haven't seen brand not offer them. Now if the dealerships in your area are not ordering them that's another story.

Long beds if you are a DIYer.

 

[dieselscout80]

I have a CCSB and I can safely haul even 16’ boards angled from drivers side out to the passenger side rear. A flag is required for anything that sticks out 36” from the rear of a vehicle.

If the material is floppy buy a somewhat shorter board to keep the material from getting damaged.

Longer than 16’ is tricky and really takes a trailer.

 

[oppizzippo]

Sliding rear windows on Ram is an option on every Trim Level...haven't seen brand not offer them. Now if the dealerships in your area are not ordering them that's another story.

Long beds if you are a DIYer.

View attachment 88878

I agree, I don't know how you guys get any work done with a short bed. 8ft bed has so much room for activities!

 

[sstoner911]

I agree, I don't know how you guys get any work done with a short bed. 8ft bed has so much room for activates!

I got tired of my OEM bed and just solved multiple things with a flat bed!

 

[motorhead426]

I had a sliding rear window on my 2005, 1500 Laramie. I can count on one hand how many times I opened it (cause they weren't power back then), but I never ran anything through it. This time I ordered a long bed so hopefully that'll solve those issues in the future. I also plan to get one of these to have on hand...

 

[GrtPyr]

I would consider how often you are hauling such supplies. Granted I have a long box but 14' deck boards were not a problem with the tailgate down, a few ratchet straps, and a flag. You should have tie down points on all 4 lower corners in your bed. General rule in my neck of the woods is diagonal across the bed is ok but but it can't extend more than 2' from the passenger side plane of the vehicle and cannot extend on the drivers side at all. If you need to go longer than that, a trailer is the easiest way. If you don't own a trailer or have a friend you can borrow one from a lot of places (Fleet Farm for example in my area) will rent you one starting at $20 bucks or so.

That hitch mounted bed extender thingy above looks pretty slick if it fits your needs but just remember how far the tail of your load is from your rear axle as it may swing out a little bit wider than normal on hard turns.

 

[LateToTheParty]

I had a sliding rear window on my 2005, 1500 Laramie. I can count on one hand how many times I opened it (cause they weren't power back then), but I never ran anything through it. This time I ordered a long bed so hopefully that'll solve those issues in the future. I also plan to get one of these to have on hand...
View attachment 88897

Precisely what I use. It has worked great for 20' trex and boxes of 20' vinyl siding. But as mentioned above, it does make for some wide turns