homemade inexpensive expedition cargo basket/platform

[scrat13]

I needed a cargo platform or cargo basket for my pickup truck with a cap. I did not want to pay $500 plus for the basket and the accessories to go with it. I plan to put the usual stuff on top, gas and water cans shovel/axe kayak and camping equipment (so a box of some sort for security and weather proof.
I decided to go with a set of 1250 lbs. load capacity aluminum ramps from Lowe's at $150.00 and secure them to my CapRac with stainless hardware. I also used a wood 2x3 (waterproofed) to act as a hold down and also stop stuff from sliding. Each ramp is rated at 625lbs load capacity. They are the Resse Explore straight ramps 13 inch x 77 inch ramps. There are lots of holes and beams to tie boxes and bags to, and also to mount jerry can holders. I went with the two ramps as I have a Kayak to go beside with room for a single bike rack. Rack dimensions are 26x 77 and 62 inches between the wood hold downs. Two sets of ramps would make great platform.

 

[100acrehuphalump]

Worse case scenario you could use them as a sand ladder / Maxx Traxx device or maybe even a bridging form and quite possibly a Ramp. Nice thinking outside the box sir!

 

[coop74]

Worse case scenario you could use them as a sand ladder / Maxx Traxx device or maybe even a bridging form and quite possibly a Ramp. Nice thinking outside the box sir!

i thought the same thing when i read the first post... if it is relatively easy to remove you could make a dandy sand ladder.

 

[rayra]

yep, get some threaded knobs like those on the end of the roof bars and fab things so they go right thru the aluminum ramps. Rack as ramps / traction device.
Powdercoating services are often in the neighborhood of $125 to single-color everything that can hang in a 6'Tx6'W baking rack. So you could have those racks colored black or even close to your vehicle color, if a person didn't want the bright aluminum.

It's a good idea for a platform style rack, or a temporary rack. In a time- or money-crunch it could be done with a sheet of heavy plywood, too, with various holes around the periphery.

 

[scrat13]

I was thinking then same thing with plywood. I was in Lowe's going for it when I walked down the truck aisle and saw these. I do a lot of fiber glass work with boats and was going to cut drill and then epoxy a sheet of plywood. I was in a bit of time crunch as I want leave the beginning of January on a month long trip down south. I like the idea of the knobs to take them off if needed. Thanks I will look into that. The bolts slide into channels so can be removed easy or the whole platform can be moved. Appreciate the ideas as this rack will grow as I Experiment and get more ideas thanks again. Going to check into the powder coating cost. I admit they will look better.

 

[plh]

Good idea. This is the one I am looking at:

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/sto...d-aluminum-ramp-45-in-w-x-69-in-l?cm_vc=IOPDP

Or possibly this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006I44WG?psc=1

or this:

http://www.amazon.com/Strong-Aluminum-Bi-Fold-Loading-Ramp/dp/B004IW1RQC/

 

[scrat13]

The trifold looks good. I didn't go with the full platform as I am going to put my kayak on the 2 feet of space on the drivers side and leave 3 feet clear for boxes and all the usual equipment. Thinking of making a plywood base 3'x5' with tie downs as suggested by rayra and then I will be able to put a double fuel can holder at one end and a double water at the other. Thinking 4 Dewalt heavy duty boxes and two milk grate sized open crates. This will all fit on the board and the boxes and crates are all about the same height at approx 15 inches. Not too high but low enough to throw a dry bag on top if need be. My bed is in the bed of the truck and I built a 3'x5' platform for more gear which leaves me the full bed to sleep in, on a real mattress. The only thing left is a swing out tire carrier.

 

[rayra]

sounds like a couple retracting laundry / drying lines would be handy as well. Used to have a place along the Kern river, wet rafting gear was always an issue.