utility body + 4 wheel camper
- Thread starter blue dog
- Start date
morrisster
Adventurer
gonna have to cut the utility body as the 4 wheel camper utilizes a "double step" in the floor pan of the camper - most utility beds are only 48" wide and this won't clear the 2nd wider step of the pan part of the FWC... I would opt for a flat bed and custom drop doors/tables that would give you even more space/flexablitly than a utility body where you're limited to the size of the cabinets that are built in. also, a steel utility body weighs like #1500, aluminum flat beds are like #400
blue dog
Adventurer
Most utility beds i have looked at have 49" clear side to side. I have talked to 2 different utility bed companies, they will build them to my spec. I am not concerned about the weight of the utility bed, and the 4wc tips the scale at 750 lb's, nothing a good leaf pack can not take care of.
locrwln
Expedition Leader
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/64023-Project-Waltzing-Matilda
On the first page, 24hrs has a couple.
Jack
On the first page, 24hrs has a couple.
Jack
24HOURSOFNEVADA
Expedition Leader
That was my plan also at first. Talk to Stan at FWC to get a handle on the process. It's easier to have the utility bed custom made more than the FWC.
I was talking to locrwln about it at length one day and I was complaining that the utility bed I wanted was almost $9k (Stahl Grand Challenger). Then you have to have the camper modified as well to fit the narrow bed space. Jack offered up his desire for a flat bed and it was immediately attractive to me.
I'd honestly think of adding a Ute bed ltd. or a Pro-tech flat bed with side boxes long before the service/utility bed. The service bed would be awesome though if you pulled it off well. I think the white Ford in my thread pulled it off well.
I was talking to locrwln about it at length one day and I was complaining that the utility bed I wanted was almost $9k (Stahl Grand Challenger). Then you have to have the camper modified as well to fit the narrow bed space. Jack offered up his desire for a flat bed and it was immediately attractive to me.
I'd honestly think of adding a Ute bed ltd. or a Pro-tech flat bed with side boxes long before the service/utility bed. The service bed would be awesome though if you pulled it off well. I think the white Ford in my thread pulled it off well.
blue dog
Adventurer
The white ford is exactly what i am looking at doing, except with a dodge.
CTEC utility beds will build me a bed to my specs for $5000 painted to match the truck. I want the utility bed for the space to store all tools and equipment that goes along with a adventure on the road and in the outback. Makes a for a great utilitarian vehicle.
I've been kicking around the idea of a service body too. I was thinking of adding a second fuel tank at the front of the bed area. You could have it made tall and thin but go from side to side in the bed. Maybe it only takes up 9" out of the bed so the camper sits back a bit. You couls access it thru one of the compartment doors.
I like the service body idea because it provides you a total package of compartments. They are designed to be a unit. Plus you can add pull-outs shelves and drawers if needed. Service bodies can be aluminum too. A flat bed with boxes hung off of it just doesn't do it for me. Looks like my wife's shoeboxes. If you go to the leading service body manufacture's websites they say they will work with you to design what you want. Also look at the trucks on eBay or Truckpaper.com for ideas on what can be done.
Post #1 for me
I like the service body idea because it provides you a total package of compartments. They are designed to be a unit. Plus you can add pull-outs shelves and drawers if needed. Service bodies can be aluminum too. A flat bed with boxes hung off of it just doesn't do it for me. Looks like my wife's shoeboxes. If you go to the leading service body manufacture's websites they say they will work with you to design what you want. Also look at the trucks on eBay or Truckpaper.com for ideas on what can be done.
Post #1 for me
ToolBox Guy
Adventurer
Not a FWC, but I found an older Skamper for an excellent price that fits my bed perfectly with a spacer platform underneath.
I agree with the build the bed to fit theory. My bed was built by Pacific truck equipment and the out the door price a couple of years ago was $3,000.00. With my stock bed being in perfect condition, it sold for $1,500.00 making the service bed worth the purchase.
I agree with the build the bed to fit theory. My bed was built by Pacific truck equipment and the out the door price a couple of years ago was $3,000.00. With my stock bed being in perfect condition, it sold for $1,500.00 making the service bed worth the purchase.
Attachments
ToolBox Guy
Adventurer
morrisster
Adventurer
looks super close to the top of the truck - do you have problems with hitting and frame flex?
blue dog
Adventurer
This is exactly what i have in mind, exact truck, service body, with the exception of a 4wc.
The cab over is close to the roof, No issues ?
ToolBox Guy
Adventurer
In the pictures, yes it would rub on the highway in a head wind. The camper was spaced right about where I wanted it, but the camper skin had sagged down off of the overhang underneath.
I spaced the entire camper another 1/2" and put a few small pan head self tappers up through the sheetmetal into the wood. All good now.
I dont wheel the truck too hard, it's my daily driver, and it's a shortbed, so there isn't a ton of frame flex to worry about.
I would say that I have 2 inches of clearance now.
mangymarmot
Lost
ToolBox Guy,
Are you satisfied with the craftsmanship of the utility bed? Were they easy to work with and how long was the build time?
Thanks
Are you satisfied with the craftsmanship of the utility bed? Were they easy to work with and how long was the build time?
Thanks
