SoCalMonty
Explorer
So...my dog. He's between 105 and 110 lbs, and he can't jump in and out of the truck, so I have to lift him. Neither my back nor my knees are what it used to be, so I wanted to get him a dog ramp on the cheap. What I ended up with as a prototype was a single plank (60.5" long, 15.5" wide) which hooked to 2 holes I drilled in the bumper via S-hooks. Total cost was under $30.
As I was looking at it, I thought to myself..."You know, if I could fix my trekking poles to the other end of the dog ramp, I could use it as a table..."
I started looking at the dimensions of the items I normally carry with me on a trip - and as it turned out, I was already carrying the missing table leg, AND a bench!
I use a Stanley FatMax rolling toolbox for car stuff (can accommodate a full set of tools, fluids, hoses, spares); it gets strapped down in the back. Turns out it's the perfect height to make the table almost perfectly level.
And for bulk storage of other items, I use a Hardigg tl500i locking trunk. It's big, sturdy and lightweight (doesn't flex at all under my 220-lb butt) - and inside I can fit various combinations of 3, 10, or 14-gal Rubbermaid Toughneck totes, with some nooks and crannies left over to stuff with diddy bags, soft goods, or small items. It was also free, compliments of the Army. Turns out, the trunk is the perfect height for a bench!
When I carry the big Igloo cooler, I can slide the plank all the way to the driver side of the bumper, and have benches on each side.
I'm working on some revisions to the dog ramp - I need something a little stiffer than the 21/32" pine plank, as it flexes under my dog's weight and makes him unsure about crossing it. Any good, cheap alternatives you can think of? Also, what can I coat it with to give some grip and durability? I bought a vinyl mat that I'm going to staple to the plank as a test...I was also thinking roll-on bedliner. I already figured I can put an alternate set of attachment points a couple inches lower to reduce the slope for the dog (there will just be a small step at the top for him to negotiate, which is fine).
As I was looking at it, I thought to myself..."You know, if I could fix my trekking poles to the other end of the dog ramp, I could use it as a table..."
I started looking at the dimensions of the items I normally carry with me on a trip - and as it turned out, I was already carrying the missing table leg, AND a bench!
I use a Stanley FatMax rolling toolbox for car stuff (can accommodate a full set of tools, fluids, hoses, spares); it gets strapped down in the back. Turns out it's the perfect height to make the table almost perfectly level.
And for bulk storage of other items, I use a Hardigg tl500i locking trunk. It's big, sturdy and lightweight (doesn't flex at all under my 220-lb butt) - and inside I can fit various combinations of 3, 10, or 14-gal Rubbermaid Toughneck totes, with some nooks and crannies left over to stuff with diddy bags, soft goods, or small items. It was also free, compliments of the Army. Turns out, the trunk is the perfect height for a bench!
When I carry the big Igloo cooler, I can slide the plank all the way to the driver side of the bumper, and have benches on each side.
I'm working on some revisions to the dog ramp - I need something a little stiffer than the 21/32" pine plank, as it flexes under my dog's weight and makes him unsure about crossing it. Any good, cheap alternatives you can think of? Also, what can I coat it with to give some grip and durability? I bought a vinyl mat that I'm going to staple to the plank as a test...I was also thinking roll-on bedliner. I already figured I can put an alternate set of attachment points a couple inches lower to reduce the slope for the dog (there will just be a small step at the top for him to negotiate, which is fine).
