Service/Utility Bodies
- Thread starter Tiltdevil690
- Start date
eyemgh
Well-known member
Low step in and high ground clearance are pretty incompatible. I think scissors steps are probably the best answer, short of a super complex suspension system that lowers like Liquid Spring.
You could have a colab with a flatbed maker and put the steps where one of the lower boxes would be. Lots of bucks though, and you could never separate the camper from the bed.
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We built a utility bed with permanent camper 4 years ago. '93 F-350 4 door 4x4 long bed, found an apropos utility bed from a '73 Ford. You need the one with no trays or boxes that access from the top. Also the older ones have piano style door hinges, I liked that much better. '88 FWC Keystone fit in by fairly simple modification to the utility bed. Bolted the camper to the frame. We run it down into the Saline Valley 3 - 5 times a year without any issues. Set up is perfect, recovery gear, tools, "garage" stuff in the exterior boxes. Food, dishes, clothes, bedding inside the camper.
Yeah, that was my build. Only had the camper on 1/5 of the time, otherwise it was used as a flat bed truck. The ladder was a design late in the build, but it worked great. It's hooking onto tie down points that are at ten locations around the bed. So, you could reach the sides, windows and the top if down. The ladder hung on a rack at the back and was very light, maybe 20 lbs. This build was intended to be as light as possible. The bed and tool boxes only gained about 300 lbs over the stock bed. Camper was 850 lbs before the interior build. Interior maybe added another 300 lbs. I could carry four big guys and tow a 7000 lb trailer with 8 motorcycles. 4 dual sports and 4 trials.
Tex68w
Beach Bum
I love it! So why did you sell it?
Any Ford Superduty with OEV Aluma Tray owners out there?
Hey everybody, I'm looking at the above setup and having a hard time finding answers to a few questions. If anyone has this setup or has relevant information/considerations I'd love to hear it. Apologies, this is a long post. I figured I might as well put it all out there and hopefully learn as...
expeditionportal.com
billiebob
Well-known member
Everything is a compromise but why not blend where we are today with where we were yesterday.
So much thought in this tiny Caravan from 60 years ago. Steps that almost meet building code...
plus look at the commode... and flip up semi privacy/shelf.
Not to mention the pullman seating.
On the steps, just engineer the numbers to work, draw it out before building, think before getting stuck with a $30 step stool.
Today, do one step up inside, 2 or 3 risers that flip down. ALL 9" rise..... the deck could be 36" above grade.
You'd get a set of fixed steps.
Anyone in construction knows ladders are one of the biggest source of accidents.
Top consideration with steps. Make ALL the risers EQUAL.
We live with consistent equal rise/run all day.
Why think you don't need that camping and .... drinking.
This one fails on the rise/run equality thing but gives a good example of how to eliminate the freaking ladders.
We should be beyond this.
So much thought in this tiny Caravan from 60 years ago. Steps that almost meet building code...
plus look at the commode... and flip up semi privacy/shelf.
Not to mention the pullman seating.
On the steps, just engineer the numbers to work, draw it out before building, think before getting stuck with a $30 step stool.
Today, do one step up inside, 2 or 3 risers that flip down. ALL 9" rise..... the deck could be 36" above grade.
You'd get a set of fixed steps.
Anyone in construction knows ladders are one of the biggest source of accidents.
Top consideration with steps. Make ALL the risers EQUAL.
We live with consistent equal rise/run all day.
Why think you don't need that camping and .... drinking.
This one fails on the rise/run equality thing but gives a good example of how to eliminate the freaking ladders.
We should be beyond this.
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