Storage Bodies for Pickups

[DiploStrat]

Some years ago, I remember seeing replacement bodies for full size US pickup trucks that were designed to provide extra storage when carrying a slide in camper. They looked like utility truck bodies and the brand name may have been something like "Campstor." Seemed like a really good idea.

Anyone seen a source for these lately?

 

[kcowyo]

Do these look like what your thinking of?

This product was called the Royal Truck Sport Body. It had the cabinets & bins of a utility bed but maintained the aerodynamic styling of a traditional bed design. Unfortunately the company that manufactured this unit had a fire and lost all porduction tools and templates to make these, so they are no longer available.

I don't recall the name "Campstor", or having seen anything similar but different to the product above, available in the last couple of years....?

This thread has some unique products mentioned and linked, regarding a utility bed with a slide in camper.
.

 

[eugene]

I've seen a few of those around here and on new bright shiny trucks the beds were all rusted, made me think they weren't well made, at least not well rustproofed.

 

[kerry]

http://www.stahl.cc/

I have one of their service bodies on a Mitsubishi FG and I'm in the process of finding a camper to mount in it.

Here's a picture of one on a Fuso:
http://www.stahl.cc/challenger/index.html

 

[WKCwith5]

The Reading truck body company will all so make bodies to fit campers. I purchased one about 10 years ago for a mobile lab that was used buy NC State University in our field research. It was veru well built.

 

[DiploStrat]

Thanks All!

The Reading body was the one I was thinking of. The new, aero style looks very nice.

I am dreaming of a vehicle for use in the US when I return, and a stoage body, mated to some form of Four Wheel or Alaskan camper looks interesting.

After thirty years, it will be a challenge to dial back from a third world grade truck!

 

[milo12]

I cant find an aero Reading body. Can you post a link?

 

[WKCwith5]

I looked on line at Readingbody.com and did not see one in their product line. But the my local dealer sais the NC Forest service ordered one in April so it may be a special order.

 

[Hunter]

Those truck beds are sweet. Time and time again, I see a work truck with tool box bed, or utility bed. While square, I canthelp but think of all of the storage options and so easy to get too. Those are the ultimate ticket.

All though, I saw an older one for sale, the standard sqaured off style, while boxy, the storage room was amazing. Ah, some day.

 

[ntsqd]

I find these beds really appealing, but I have seen first hand how their departure angle needs adjustment. It's not an easy thing to change and that rear box ends up being a serious compromise in shape.

I would be more inclined to use individual boxes mounted above and below a deckless flatbed frame instead of the utility beds. Say something along these lines, less the headache rack:

That arrangement is far from optimized, but I think it conveys my general thinking.
Reading individual boxes:

 

[Lynn]

Of course the trade-off in using the flatbed (trayback?) is that you risk raising your COG significantly.

Just for the sake of illustration let's assume you slap identical slide-in campers on a utility bed and on a flatbed. Since the camper on the flatbed sites entirely above the truck wheels, the camper (and thus the COG) is up really high. While with the utility bed the lower part of the camper is still between the wheels, making the camper (and COG) lower.

Compromises, compromises...

 

[ntsqd]

True with a traditional flatbed/trayback. They're built to clear the tires at max bump travel and still be flat on top.

I wouldn't build it that way. In a pick-up bed the floor is est. 3"-4" above the top of the frame rails. I'd be shooting for the same or lower. Notch the floor of the boxes for full bump tire clearance. You'd loose some box volume, but the whole assembly would sit lower.
Basically build a frame to support the camper as low as reasonably possible on the frame, and then fill in the holes with storage boxes.

 

[kerry]

Of course the trade-off in using the flatbed (trayback?) is that you risk raising your COG significantly.

Just for the sake of illustration let's assume you slap identical slide-in campers on a utility bed and on a flatbed. Since the camper on the flatbed sites entirely above the truck wheels, the camper (and thus the COG) is up really high. While with the utility bed the lower part of the camper is still between the wheels, making the camper (and COG) lower.

Compromises, compromises...

It depends on the truck and utility body. The utility body on my Fuso FG is not wide enough between the wheel wells to slide a camper in.

 

[Capt Eddie]

I have a stahl on one of my work trucks and found that the vent and shower systems on my Lance were wider that the wheel wells.53 inches. I found a company in Tampa FL that will make an Aluminum Custom for less$$$ that a Steel. bed. I am going to build the flatbed two inches off the frame and cut out for the wheels. In the lower boxes I can put the heavy weight, Gen,tools,compressor. to lower COG. Still $3000.00 just for boxes.