I really like this idea, but it seems that substituting rectangular tubing may be an improvement. .5" x 1" aligned vertically provides the same strength in the vertical axis, narrows the assembly by 1" per drawer, and provides shorter mounting bolts to the drawers. It could even be increased to .5" x 1.5" if one wished to make it stronger (such as the slides). Great thinking 'out of the box'.
LATEST PROJECT - Truck Drawers/Sleeping Platform
- Thread starter roadtripcrazed
- Start date
roadtripcrazed
Observer
Waldo64: All very good points, however I could not find a way to stack the necessary bearings and bolts into a 1/2" space. I managed to make it work on the outside slides, but couldn't find a solution to the central support between the two drawers. After using it as is for several years now, I feel strongly that the plywood would tear out well before the strength of the slide was maxed out. After this much constant use and countless miles of extremely rough driving, I have no complaints with how this has worked out. Who knows, I may need to start work on version 2.0, but its hard to find enough issue with the first version!
roadtripcrazed
Observer
Can't really take any better pictures than what is shown in post #43. Here's a link ... click here.
Of course, let me know if you have any other questions!
Of course, let me know if you have any other questions!
PMA4x4
Adventurer
Awesome build. I need to do this in order to utilize the full depth of our Chevy Suburban.
How much of the drawer is still recessed in the housing? I assume about 6" maybe because I am guessing that's why you have extra bearing at the front to help support the leveraged weight when fully extended?
Would you be able to provide a picture of the drawer stop in full extension?
It looks like the bearings for both drawers going thru the middle divider wall are ont he same plain. Did you just use all thread to go from nut to nut? or an actual stud ?
How much of the drawer is still recessed in the housing? I assume about 6" maybe because I am guessing that's why you have extra bearing at the front to help support the leveraged weight when fully extended?
Would you be able to provide a picture of the drawer stop in full extension?
It looks like the bearings for both drawers going thru the middle divider wall are ont he same plain. Did you just use all thread to go from nut to nut? or an actual stud ?
Last edited:
jh.
ambitiose sed ineptum
Awesome build. It's been a few months...I assume it's still holding up well?
As many before me have already mentioned, it's serving as the inspiration for my upcoming project. I'm thinking I may combine your ideas on the frame design (without the fancy touches) and rollers with this guy's idea for the drawers (to try and save some weight): http://youtu.be/GaYrMPE9Td0. Also, the square tube drawers should have a sense of symmetry with your slide design. I'm thinking steel tubing in the middle on the sides to run on the bearings and the rest of the frame aluminum tubing. We'll see how it turns out....I'm nowhere near the woodworker that you are.
As many before me have already mentioned, it's serving as the inspiration for my upcoming project. I'm thinking I may combine your ideas on the frame design (without the fancy touches) and rollers with this guy's idea for the drawers (to try and save some weight): http://youtu.be/GaYrMPE9Td0. Also, the square tube drawers should have a sense of symmetry with your slide design. I'm thinking steel tubing in the middle on the sides to run on the bearings and the rest of the frame aluminum tubing. We'll see how it turns out....I'm nowhere near the woodworker that you are.
roadtripcrazed
Observer
I NEED SOME ADVICE ...
This summer will make three years that I have been using this setup. Over-all I remain incredibly pleased with how everything functions. It has allowed my wife and I to stay organized on several trips and helps me keep things tucked away as a daily-driver. Once you have a drawer setup, you begin to wonder how you managed without for so long!There are a few things that need some attention though, so I think it is a good time to renovate!
First of all, the carpet is not holding up. I need to find something that will be durable enough to drag tools around on, yet provide enough grip that my tools (and dog!) do not slide around all the time. The carpet was great ... but maybe a rubber surface would be better? Any thoughts or feed-back?
The other more important issue has been with the limited amount of coolant circulation provided by the truck when at idle. The truck does a great job of heating water at highway engine speeds, but is too weak to circulate when parked. I have looked into increasing the idle speed electronically, but that has proven a difficult if not impossible task. I would like to add some type of auxiliary coolant circulation pump into the lines to increase the volume of coolant that is continuously circulated. This would improve both the heater functions in cold weather (common in Alberta!) as well as allowing us to have hot water with the truck sitting at low idle. Please let me know if you have any experience with any such pumps. Any other advice or backyard engineering ideas are greatly appreciated.
We would like to get things fixed up before the summer camping/biking season is upon us ... looking forward to a warm shower after a long ride!
Thanks again for all of the incredible response to this little project over the years. We are now in the initial process of designing a small off-road trailer and I will be sure to post the process once it gets off the sketch pad!
Take care,
-=Doug
This summer will make three years that I have been using this setup. Over-all I remain incredibly pleased with how everything functions. It has allowed my wife and I to stay organized on several trips and helps me keep things tucked away as a daily-driver. Once you have a drawer setup, you begin to wonder how you managed without for so long!There are a few things that need some attention though, so I think it is a good time to renovate!
First of all, the carpet is not holding up. I need to find something that will be durable enough to drag tools around on, yet provide enough grip that my tools (and dog!) do not slide around all the time. The carpet was great ... but maybe a rubber surface would be better? Any thoughts or feed-back?
The other more important issue has been with the limited amount of coolant circulation provided by the truck when at idle. The truck does a great job of heating water at highway engine speeds, but is too weak to circulate when parked. I have looked into increasing the idle speed electronically, but that has proven a difficult if not impossible task. I would like to add some type of auxiliary coolant circulation pump into the lines to increase the volume of coolant that is continuously circulated. This would improve both the heater functions in cold weather (common in Alberta!) as well as allowing us to have hot water with the truck sitting at low idle. Please let me know if you have any experience with any such pumps. Any other advice or backyard engineering ideas are greatly appreciated.
We would like to get things fixed up before the summer camping/biking season is upon us ... looking forward to a warm shower after a long ride!
Thanks again for all of the incredible response to this little project over the years. We are now in the initial process of designing a small off-road trailer and I will be sure to post the process once it gets off the sketch pad!
Take care,
-=Doug
roadtripcrazed
Observer
I managed to source the heat exchanger from a friend for nothing ... the pump was ~$120, the hoses and fitting about $100, the tank was around $150 ... my memory is pretty fuzzy after 3 years. I think I put about $800 into the whole project and the water system was a good chunk of that amount. I would guess it was $500-600 for the hot/cold water system including tank, fittings, faucet, etc. Hope that helps!
roadtripcrazed
Observer
The pictures that I posted are about as detailed as I can get - I hope you can find what you are looking for. You are correct in that about 6" of the drawers remain in the carcass at full extension.
The center bearings are indeed on the same plane. They share a common bolt - bolt head and washer on one side, and a washer and nut on the other. No need to for fancy studs or all thread.
Check out Oysrer's build, he used a product called monstaliner (?) that might work.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/93292-Stitch-and-glue-Lightweight-platform-update
My blatant copy of your setup is also working well. I did make the slide out table we discussed but have never used it. In fact, I have found I rarely use the sliding tops so I may ditch them to save weight. Thinking my version 2.0 will be a hybrid of yours and oysters, although I lack the skill and craftsmanship the two of you do - but the baja wilderness doesn't seem to mind.