Truck organization issues

[Jeff Zanin]

@JD2720: That looks really good, I especially like the drawers - I have an 8 foot truck bed and something like that would be very handy. 

Did you buy or build the drawers, and if you built them, what did you use for slides?

Jeff

 

[chrisrosenb]

I built the drawer unit. There are no slides.
I made them the old fashion way, the drawers just slide inside the case.

 

[Sparktrician]

JD2720, given your need for a 4x4 and the stated desire for a van, you might want to check out the Quigley conversions that retain a full factory warranty with 4x4 added on using all stock parts.  I've seen several of the Fords and really like them. 

 

[Jalvis]

JD2720 has a great little setup if all you do is installs.

Personally I have a trailer which is the best solution for the price.  You simply get the most storage for the least amount of money. 

I use to have an AIR cap for my truck and found it to be a pain since I refused to crawl in the back......the sliding bed mounts would be a solution but obviously went for a trailer.  Although my goal is to also get a van.....sprinter or perhaps the new transit coming out.

If I were in your situation I would get an entirely new bed.  If cash was low I would get a used flatbed to start.  Standard pickup beds are not efficient or practical for storage.  By simply switching to a flatbed you have more storage options without the issue of reaching over a bed.  You can also add tool boxes below the bed in front and behind the wheels on both side which is perfect for heavier items you so dont want to lift up.  Flatbeds are customizable and utilize space efficiently. 

Remind yourself that your truck is a tool for your business.....its about function.  Get over that hurdle and you will see more options.
 

 

[Guilliaume woodworks]

JD2720, given your need for a 4x4 and the stated desire for a van, you might want to check out the Quigley conversions that retain a full factory warranty with 4x4 added on using all stock parts.  I've seen several of the Fords and really like them. 

quigleys are awesome, but the price tag of $65k isn't ? It's always been one of my "dream" vehicles. Nothing cooler than a tricked out quigleys .

 

[Guilliaume woodworks]

JD2720 has a great little setup if all you do is installs.

Personally I have a trailer which is the best solution for the price.  You simply get the most storage for the least amount of money. 

I use to have an AIR cap for my truck and found it to be a pain since I refused to crawl in the back......the sliding bed mounts would be a solution but obviously went for a trailer.  Although my goal is to also get a van.....sprinter or perhaps the new transit coming out.

If I were in your situation I would get an entirely new bed.  If cash was low I would get a used flatbed to start.  Standard pickup beds are not efficient or practical for storage.  By simply switching to a flatbed you have more storage options without the issue of reaching over a bed.  You can also add tool boxes below the bed in front and behind the wheels on both side which is perfect for heavier items you so dont want to lift up.  Flatbeds are customizable and utilize space efficiently. 

Remind yourself that your truck is a tool for your business.....its about function.  Get over that hurdle and you will see more options.
 

your right about a trailer. Best bang for the buck,I just don't have safe place to store it when not in use. In calif. stuff just walks away if you turn your back. To date Ive had stolen one really nice truck & a trailer with most my lively hood in it(separate occasions).so to say the least, I'm totally paranoid about theft.  Next house I buy will definitely have r.v. parking on side yard for trailer.  Not so sure about your advice on getting flat bed?  I haven't seen any flat bed set ups that would jive.

 

[farms100]

JD2720, given your need for a 4x4 and the stated desire for a van, you might want to check out the Quigley conversions that retain a full factory warranty with 4x4 added on using all stock parts.  I've seen several of the Fords and really like them. 

quigleys are awesome, but the price tag of $65k isn't ? It's always been one of my "dream" vehicles. Nothing cooler than a tricked out quigleys .

One of my first bosses had  really old quigley van, thing burned a quart of oil a day.  the back doors were untouchable  because they were so caked with oil. but the thing could right up to teh house on  every muddy job site we had.

 

[Guilliaume woodworks]

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.

i find myself going back to the pics of your rig. I'm fascinated with how clean & organized it is. I have zoomed in on every square inch ( hope that's not weird )..question....I recognize the systainers & bosch l/boxes but what are the gray and black metal boxes? Also looked at ARE bed caps, and like them a lot. Affordable and functional.

 

[Jalvis]

If you haven't seen any good flat bed setups then take some time on the web and google image.  One can easily achieve 30%+ more capacity and have better access than a standard bed.

 

[Guilliaume woodworks]

Thanks Jarvis , I will look into it....but I think I found my solution today, it was parked in front of big box store..it's perfect!!

 

[Paul G]

That's a classy ride there GW, it would be all the better with some 22's  [big grin]

 

[Jalvis]

Wow....just....wow [eek]

 

[farms100]

Thanks Jarvis , I will look into it....but I think I found my solution today, it was parked in front of big box store..it's perfect!!

thats cool

 

[land_kel]

That's it!!  Lock the topic

 

[sancho57]

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.

Bud,

Craigslist has covered trailers for all the time , look at those.

check out this

http://www.contractortalk.com/f40/job-site-trailers-show-off-your-set-ups-48819/

 

[freddmc]

When I was in the vending business my first truck was a 1/4 ton pickup that I put a flat deck on and built a box that was 8 feet long and 4 feet high. Each side had a single lift up door which was great in incliment weather. I built it inside specifically to carry the product I needed. My next truck was  an Izuzu NPR 1 1/2 ton truck on duals with a 14 ft box that was also 4 feet high. Each side had 2 lift up doors. Never had to crawl into or around anything. Everything was accesible standing on the ground (protected when it rained). The truck got phenominal fuel mileage(diesel) and maneuverability was better than many smaller cars.  It was painted black with NO outside identification( for security). I had it for 15 years with NO theft. Someone asked my neighbor once what I hauled in that truck and he said "dead bodies" and the guy believed him.  I am a big believer in "purpose built" vehicles.

 

[wow]

When I was in the vending business my first truck was a 1/4 ton pickup that I put a flat deck on and built a box that was 8 feet long and 4 feet high. Each side had a single lift up door which was great in incliment weather. I built it inside specifically to carry the product I needed. My next truck was  an Izuzu NPR 1 1/2 ton truck on duals with a 14 ft box that was also 4 feet high. Each side had 2 lift up doors. Never had to crawl into or around anything. Everything was accesible standing on the ground (protected when it rained). The truck got phenominal fuel mileage(diesel) and maneuverability was better than many smaller cars.  It was painted black with NO outside identification( for security). I had it for 15 years with NO theft. Someone asked my neighbor once what I hauled in that truck and he said "dead bodies" and the guy believed him.  I am a big believer in "purpose built" vehicles.

We need pictures!

 

[Peter Fish]

My truck of choice !! Get all sorts of Systainers etc in there

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

GW,
If I didn't have the funds for a van, then I would take out the back seat and install two systainer length drawers- 2 sys wide on each side, and go up high enough to where I could still see out the rear view mirror. This could get 24 systainers inside the cab.

 

[Guilliaume woodworks]

GW,
If I didn't have the funds for a van, then I would take out the back seat and install two systainer length drawers- 2 sys wide on each side, and go up high enough to where I could still see out the rear view mirror. This could get 24 systainers inside the cab.

I thought about that before. Only issue is that  the doors open a lot less than 90 degrees. So the pull out sys drawer would have to slide at an angle. It would be tough to get two sys to fit side by side on drawer.  I made a backseat sys rack holder out of ply, but everything slid around every turn if it wasn't full with systainers.  I've gotta give the drawer idea another look. Thanks