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Side boxes instead of fenders

Tacoma utility bed side tool box

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#1 Richard Burton

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Posted 19 September 2017 - 10:07 PM

Have an Eagle on a 2000 Tacoma:love the truck & camper
but very limited storage space. I'd be willing to
remove truck bed & fenders and replace
with storage boxes on sides underneath overhang
Figure boxes could be 8-10" deep.
Despite lots of internet searches can't
find anything.! Help...Ideas?
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#2 longhorn1

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Posted 19 September 2017 - 10:11 PM

You might consider a flatbed with storage boxes between the cab and camper and under the flatbed. jd
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http://texaslonghorns01.blogspot.com/

 

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#3 todgru

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Posted 19 September 2017 - 11:40 PM

@richard check out WTW user Broverlanding_tacoma. Here are a few pics of his rig, exactly what you want to do.: http://www.wanderthe...hread/?p=179070


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#4 rando

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Posted 20 September 2017 - 02:56 AM

One issue with a flatbed is that the standard drop in camper will end up being quite high.   A flatbed has to be raised high enough that the bed clears the top of the wheels (think the height of the wheel wells in a regular bed), which will raise the whole camper by 4" or more.   I think a custom built 'service body' where the center part is still at the height of the original bed is a better option. 


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#5 VanGoOutdoors

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Posted 22 September 2017 - 06:13 PM

One issue with a flatbed is that the standard drop in camper will end up being quite high.   A flatbed has to be raised high enough that the bed clears the top of the wheels (think the height of the wheel wells in a regular bed), which will raise the whole camper by 4" or more.   I think a custom built 'service body' where the center part is still at the height of the original bed is a better option. 

negative.  
With airbags you dont have the downtravel anyways.  

36295561144_c192222e30_b.jpgTacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

no rubbing at 30psi

still under 8' clearance

36475946133_dbec07aca1_b.jpgUntitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

36475946073_205032c397_b.jpgUntitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr


Edited by broverlanding_tacoma, 22 September 2017 - 06:15 PM.

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#6 rando

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Posted 22 September 2017 - 11:02 PM

You either have to raise the bed or raise the suspension - otherwise the tire will hit the bottom of the flatbed.   I also have a flatbed on a 2016 Tacoma, which I ended up mounting ~4" above the bed mounts.   I have a slight lift, so I could maybe have reduced that to 3", but either way you need the clearance, which ends up with a taller camper.   It is not the down travel that matters it is the compression or up travel that matters and airbags make this situation slightly worse as you loose your bump stops, so there is nothing to limit the up travel. 


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#7 Captm

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Posted 23 September 2017 - 03:03 AM

You could go the flatbed route then cut the flat bed and fab up a wheel well to keep it low. This would leave storage fore and aft of the wheel. 

But do you really want more storage space? It just means carrying more stuff which equals more weight.  A tacoma, gen 1 or 2 is already overweight with just the camper, some a little others a whole lot. ;)  Heck add bumpers, skid plates, sliders ,suspension,tires and rims, a winch, a few lights, driver,passenger a dog or kids, and now your overweight before loading up the camper :o

Cheers!


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#8 ntsqd

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Posted 23 September 2017 - 04:34 PM

My current model notches the flatbed and puts the fender wells in the camper.

 

i-qwgTDQ8-S.jpg

 

i-9KZRt36-S.jpg

 

Goal isn't more storage as it is more interior space, but I will in-fill the spaces under the bed with storage enclosures.


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#9 Captm

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Posted 23 September 2017 - 04:58 PM

Nice concept!
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#10 klahanie

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Posted 23 September 2017 - 06:57 PM

broverlanding, wow that looks great.  If you built that yourself more props to you !

 

To the OP, we also did something similar under the wings in the sense that it is open space covered by a large panel vs individual storage boxes. I chose this design because of the flexibility for storage and it worked better for use as a camper-off flatbed (our wants).  Custom boxes can get expensive but might be worthwhile if the size was maxed and they extended down to bottom of the cab door level. Then they could also serve as a wheel cover/fender for debris. Also agree, if you search flatbed/deck or service body sites I think you will find lots of ideas.

 

Certainly I can relate to the desire for more storage but I will second the caution that it can lead to overloading - possible even with a one ton srw.

 

some pics of our set up and some of the extra junk we can carry above the deck height ...

 

z86ZRqg.jpg

 

OqLHu95.jpg

 

JpppWwD.jpg

 

 

 

 


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