what materials?

[joethefordguy]

I've seen excellent designs and work here; I'm inspired to build my own.
I was wondering about using angle iron for the frame and noticed no one here has used it. why not? too heavy, too weak, what?

I had thought about removing the interior of my SUV- the plastic panels, the insulation, etc. (from the storage area). I wanted to be able to get to the factory mounts for seats, etc. and reuse them where possible. Again, i noticed no one does that. why not?
thanks
joe

 

[Raw7s]

I was about to use angle iron for mine, my grandfather was a steel contractor and has literally tons of it. But I don't have the tools for it at my house, nor any experience with metal work. It would have been much stronger than the 3/4" plywood drawer/platform system I have now. But even it is plenty strong enough for what I need. Mine is in my daily driver, so it had to be able to be easily removed. Anyways, that's my reasoning.

 

[Chazz Layne]

I was wondering about using angle iron for the frame and noticed no one here has used it. why not? too heavy, too weak, what?

My guess would be strength vs. weight vs. cost over aluminum or wood makes it not worth while. When I was considering going metal I was going to use T6061 aluminum for this reason. I've since revised my plans and am just going to use wood, with a few stress points reinforced using flat bar aluminum (bolts to the floor, hinge joints on the sleep platform, etc).

I had thought about removing the interior of my SUV- the plastic panels, the insulation, etc. (from the storage area). I wanted to be able to get to the factory mounts for seats, etc. and reuse them where possible. Again, i noticed no one does that. why not?

Like this?

 

[joethefordguy]

Like this?

exactly like that! any drawbacks, second thoughts, etc.?

 

[Chazz Layne]

exactly like that! any drawbacks, second thoughts, etc.?

Well on the PRO side, it makes design and fabrication simpler and easier... depending on the shape of the inside walls of course (thankfully mine are all straight). Another plus is the increase in available space - it's amazing how many cubic inches get used up as sound-deadening space underneath the factory trim. Such things aren't nearly as important when using a thick material like wood vs. the thin factory plastic. There's also a good potential of finding other strong anchor points that were hidden by the trim, in my case the entire top deck can be bolted to factory seat mounts that were placed at window height as well as to the rest of the storage box.

Then there's gaining space to stow items you'll never need direct access to (unless they break down). For example, the large empty space along the left wall in my picture is now filled up with my on-board air (including the tank). The entire system fits neatly in the space I won't be able to access once the storage system is in place, with plenty of space for ample airflow. If something goes wrong with it I can always remove the drawer on that side to gain access when I'm back at home. The other side will house my second battery and other miscellaneous maintenance-free electronic bits.


The only drawback I've run into really depends on where you plan to travel with the vehicle and whether or not you'll need to bring a guide along in your vehicle in addition to a passenger. Most places I go it isn't required, and the few times it has been I've been lucky enough to be in a group with room in another vehicle. If I ever did need to transport the guide it would be difficult, as my wife is almost always with me on trips.