Truck organization issues

[Guilliaume woodworks]

I work out of a quad cab (4 door w/ full backseat)pick up truck. The pick up bed is consumed with miter saw & stand, t.s.,compressor,hose/cords, and misc. power tools. The bed has tonneau cover for security.not the best set up but it covers most of my general carpentry needs. Also I can slide in up to eight sheets of 3/4" ply over tools with tonneau cover resting shut on top of ply.  So... All my hand tools,screw guns,sys/sortainers, and misc. go where? The backseat (which folds down flat) aka disaster zone. It's not working for me at all, if I turn to fast stuff tumbles. Whatever I need is always on the bottom of pile.....I'm asking the brilliant minds of fog for ideas on rear seat storage solution. I thought about big pull out drawer on each side, but drawer would have to be angled to clear door. Or some type of rack??? I'm not opposed to removing backseat altogether. Also, safety is always a factor, anchoring with bolts,welding,straps?  Here are a few pics of my truck set up ...any ideas would be appreciated. I really want van or sprinter, but my truck is paid for and hoping to get a few more years out of it.

 

[Jonhilgen]

Have you thought about a truck cap and a bedslide instead of a tonneau?  That's the set up I have and I rarely need to put tools in the back seat.  Cost might be a factor, but then the amount of time and money spent trying to custom build racking in the back seat won't be "cheap" either.

Jon

Edit: I save a ton of time each day with the bedslide, and like you I always need the one thing way back in the truck.  Just slide it out and Bam!  There it is.

 

[duburban]

this is my perceived solution to the same problem:

http://www.gmc.com/savana-cargo-van.html

 

[Paul G]

Have you thought about a truck cap and a bedslide instead of a tonneau?  That's the set up I have and I rarely need to put tools in the back seat.  Cost might be a factor, but then the amount of time and money spent trying to custom build racking in the back seat won't be "cheap" either.

Jon

Edit: I save a ton of time each day with the bedslide, and like you I always need the one thing way back in the truck.  Just slide it out and Bam!  There it is.

In addition I'd try for a rack over the camper shell to haul lumber and ladders. Some shells are reinforced specifically for this purpose like some of the commercial products from snugtop as well as others.

 

[BMH]

Cargo vans is the way to go. They are so many different sizes and shape you can pick the one the most adapted to your line of work. Truck look cool but the cargo space sucks.

 

[Bikeboy80]

I would agree that moving to a cargo van is the way to go (I made that transition about 7 years ago), of course you gather items to fit the space you have. I have a standard cargo van and am outgoing it, looking into something larger now...

Have you tried putting the table and miter saws in the back seat and move the systainers into the bed? Does that gain you anything? Maybe you can build a shelf a over the level of the saws in the back seat, just becareful of what could come flying forward if you stop short. [scared]

 

[Jonhilgen]

I would agree that moving to a cargo van is the way to go (I made that transition about 7 years ago), of course you gather items to fit the space you have. I have a standard cargo van and am outgoing it, looking into something larger now...

Have you tried putting the table and miter saws in the back seat and move the systainers into the bed? Does that gain you anything? Maybe you can build a shelf a over the level of the saws in the back seat, just becareful of what could come flying forward if you stop short. [scared]

I think the last thing he wants to do is add a $300.00+ monthly van payment.  He owns his truck outright (I'm soooooo close!), so he's looking for options to modify his existing setup.

Jon

 

[mastercabman]

Sell the truck and get a van.
I switched over a year ago and will never go back to a truck.
I still think that it is hard to get in and out of a van.
I wish I had enough money to get the Sprinter or that new Nissan

 

[Bikeboy80]

I would agree that moving to a cargo van is the way to go (I made that transition about 7 years ago), of course you gather items to fit the space you have. I have a standard cargo van and am outgoing it, looking into something larger now...

Have you tried putting the table and miter saws in the back seat and move the systainers into the bed? Does that gain you anything? Maybe you can build a shelf a over the level of the saws in the back seat, just becareful of what could come flying forward if you stop short. [scared]

I think the last thing he wants to do is add a $300.00+ monthly van payment.  He owns his truck outright (I'm soooooo close!), so he's looking for options to modify his existing setup.

Jon

I got that, that's why I also offered some other sugestions.

 

[Guilliaume woodworks]

I agree a van is ultimate solution, but trying to avoid large expense for now...I have given a shell with rack and installing pullout drawers inside bed. However , if drawers on bottom with shelf on top for larger tools,  plywood would have to be stacked on roof rack?  Sorry, if I'm sounding picky. I really appreciate the input, and curious about what others are doing. I know there is no perfect solution. Also I forgot to mention I need some type of collapsible  work /cutting table. I've been using simple saw horses and 2x4 thing.

 

[Paul G]

Is a trailer an option for you?

 

[Paul G]

I agree a van is ultimate solution, but trying to avoid large expense for now...I have given a shell with rack and installing pullout drawers inside bed. However , if drawers on bottom with shelf on top for larger tools,  plywood would have to be stacked on roof rack?  Sorry, if I'm sounding picky. I really appreciate the input, and curious about what others are doing. I know there is no perfect solution. Also I forgot to mention I need some type of collapsible  work /cutting table. I've been using simple saw horses and 2x4 thing.

Sure, plywood on the roof rack if theres no space inside, good to have options. One nice thing about a roof rack is you can get them compatible with forklifts so the folks at the yard can put your load up there for you. Rackit makes a slew of options and will probably build something to suit your needs. I've had one for several years and it's working great, I'd suggest going with the powder coat option though to keep the rust at bay. http://www.rackitinc.com

 

[Guilliaume woodworks]

Is a trailer an option for you?

i had a nice trailer set up....had is key word...someone liked it more than I did and stole it.  I don't have a safe place to store it.  Leaning towards full shell with rack idea....side windows for access or no windows for security.?

 

[Jonhilgen]

Is a trailer an option for you?

i had a nice trailer set up....had is key word...someone liked it more than I did and stole it.  I don't have a safe place to store it.   Leaning towards full shell with rack idea....side windows for access or no windows for security.?

Not knowing your local situation and security issues, I would opt for no windows.  That way (locked) side access is possible.  I went for the windows because I have dogs and they used to ride in the back. well, had.  now im down to one old one that rides in the front.  That and I like the look.

Jon

 

[Paul G]

Is a trailer an option for you?

i had a nice trailer set up....had is key word...someone liked it more than I did and stole it.  I don't have a safe place to store it.   Leaning towards full shell with rack idea....side windows for access or no windows for security.?

Sorry about the theft, that sucks. Security is certainly a top priority. The locks on the shell is a bigger issue than if you have side doors, the rear is just as easy to break into as the sides if the locks aren't good. Besides good locks is limiting visibility, do you want any windows or all solid? Is your truck a 1-ton? All of this will add weight especially if you get a metal shell and those roll outs are not light.

 

[mastercabman]

Whatever you decide to do,if you go with a cap,try to see if you can get a commercial one.
Side doors(lift up),2 doors on the back witch make your life much easier than a regular truck cap

 

[chrisrosenb]

The last few work trucks I have had, have been extended cab long bed pickups with  commercial bed tops. As you, I always ended up with the back seat of the cab full of tools & I would still have to crawl up into the bed several times every day to get to tools stored there. I do a wide range of different types of work, so I have to carry a wide range of tools & hardware.

Because I am getting older, it is getting harder for me to crawl into the bed & was difficult to find things in the cab.
I have debated several other options over the last couple of years. My first first choice was a cut away van with a contractor body.
The down side to that was that the area I live & work in requires a 4 wheel drive or spend a lot of time & money being towed. So that put the van out. Another option was putting a utility be on a pickup, but because of the way they are built, I would not gain much storage space.

Below is what I ended up with this spring. So far it has worked out very well. I still have tools stored up in front of the bed, but they are tools that are not used daily. All of the tools I use daily,
I can reach while standing on the ground. The only tools in the cab are my radios & Festool MINI vac.

 

[Paul G]

JD2720, that's a nice set up you've got there, is there a brand for that camper top and drawers?

Next time on the van option, sportsmobile may have a solution for you regarding 4WD: http://www.sportsmobile.com/

 

[Guilliaume woodworks]

@ jd2720.      Wow!!! That's a sweet set up....really like the guide rail holder attached to back of side box, not to mention everything else...wasn't all that crazy about the whole bed cap idea,but this is a game changer for sure.. Brilliant set up...how much do you think it would cost to achieve similar set up (not including truck & tools)? Is that a long bed?looks like you customized interiors of side boxes and pull outs, is there anything you would change?  Brand name of bed cap would be great also.....thank you for posting,  david

 

[chrisrosenb]

Thank you David & Paul.

The truck has an 8 foot bed.

The cap is a 29" tall ARE commercial UDC Series aluminum cap. ARE Cap

They have several choices to customize it. The side boxes & ladder racks are some of the options.

The cap with the metal side boxes, front & back windows, 1 door each side & ladder rack was about $1900 including tax & installation.

I believe I have about $350 in birch plywood for all of the shelving & the drawer unit.

I carry 6 raills in the rail holder. 2 - 98"(my custom length), 1 - 75", 1 - 55", 1 - 42" &  1 - 32"

At this time, the only thing I would have changed was the timing. I should have done it a lot sooner.