can u put a 12 ft board in your car

[CodyFitz]

Yes, you can fit a 12-foot board in many cars, but it requires careful planning and is often unsafe for standard sedans. The most common and secure method is using a roof rack. For vehicles like a mid-size SUV or a truck with a 5.5-foot bed, you can transport the board inside by folding down the rear seats and sliding it through to the front dashboard, but it will protrude significantly from a rear hatch or tailgate. The critical factor is your vehicle's interior length from the rear hatch to the front windshield.

Before attempting to load the board, measure your car's cargo area with all rear seats folded flat. A 12-foot board is 144 inches long. For example, a Honda CR-V has a cargo length of about 74 inches with the rear seats up, but over 72 additional inches with the seats folded and the front passenger seat moved forward. This often totals just enough to accommodate the board diagonally or straight out the back.

If the board must protrude, you must secure it properly and make it highly visible. Red flags or brightly colored cloth must be attached to the end extending beyond your vehicle. Most states have laws requiring this for any load extending more than 4 feet from the rear of the vehicle.

Vehicle Type	Recommended Method	Critical Safety Note	Maximum Safe Interior Length (Approx.)
Sedan	Roof Rack or Rented Truck	Interior transport is extremely risky and not recommended.	90-100 inches
SUV/Minivan	Fold all rear seats flat, slide board to dashboard.	Secure board to prevent shifting; flag the protruding end.	110-120 inches
Pickup Truck	Place in bed with tailgate down; use proper tie-downs.	The board must be secured at multiple points with ratchet straps.	N/A (Bed length is key)
Hatchback	Roof Rack is safest.	If placing inside, ensure rear hatch can close without damaging the board.	70-80 inches

The safest options are always a roof rack, a pickup truck, or renting a vehicle from a home improvement store for a small fee. Driving with a poorly secured long object is a major hazard to you and other drivers.

[OTyler]

My buddy and I just did this with my old SUV. We dropped all the seats, slid the 12-footer right up between the front seats. Stuck out the back a good four feet, but we tied a bright orange vest to the end so it was super visible. Drove slow on back roads, no problem. Would I take it on the highway? Probably not. A roof rack would be way better if you have one.

[VonBrody]

As a former hardware store employee, I saw this question daily. The honest answer is that it depends entirely on your specific car model. For most sedans, the answer is a firm no—it's simply not safe. For an SUV or a van, measure the cargo length from the closed liftgate to the back of the front passenger seat. If it's under 12 feet, the board will protrude. You are legally required to mark the overhang with a red flag. The safest bet is always to use a roof rack or have the store deliver it.