Side boxes instead of fenders
#1
Posted 19 September 2017 - 10:07 PM
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?
#2
Posted 19 September 2017 - 10:11 PM
#3
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
#4
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.
2016 Fleet Flatbed
2016 Toyota Tacoma
#5
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.
Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
no rubbing at 30psi
still under 8' clearance
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Edited by broverlanding_tacoma, 22 September 2017 - 06:15 PM.
Dometic - Tern Overland - Flarespace - Blue Ridge Overland Gear - WARN - Bedslide
#6
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.
2016 Fleet Flatbed
2016 Toyota Tacoma
#7
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
Cheers!
2005 Tacoma Dbl cab LB 4x4
2014 Fleet shell
#8
Posted 23 September 2017 - 04:34 PM
My current model notches the flatbed and puts the fender wells in the camper.
Goal isn't more storage as it is more interior space, but I will in-fill the spaces under the bed with storage enclosures.
Where does that road go?
#9
Posted 23 September 2017 - 04:58 PM
2005 Tacoma Dbl cab LB 4x4
2014 Fleet shell
#10
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 ...
Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: Tacoma, utility bed, side tool box
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