Service/utility body
#1
Posted 24 January 2011 - 02:04 PM
I am not claiming this idea as my own as I have seen them before. But something like a Hawk and the way they tie down to the truck bed seems like a perfect candidate for a service body. More storage, even on the outside, is more important to me than interior space. Getting stuff out of the way, chainsaw, tools, gas cans, generator, etc would be the ultimate for me.
I guess the big problems would be the measurements and probably some very long jack extensions.
Any info/advice you may have would be much appreciated. Thanks
#2
Posted 24 January 2011 - 03:10 PM
2022 F350 7.3L; family trailer at the moment and some aluminum stuck together to eventually form another truck camper
#3
Posted 25 January 2011 - 05:49 AM
The original Earthroamer was a Four-Wheel Camper on a service bed. Here is a write up the owner did, with some pros and cons.
http://www.earthroam...ed_utility.html
I have seen one or two in my travels and they seem higher then a regular bed (might be because the sides are generally higher then a regular bed), but might be my imagination. I still lean towards a flatbed with boxes, but it would be very tempting if the right used service body came along for the right price.
-Vic
"I took the road less traveled. Now I don't know where I am"
2014 Dodge Ram 3500 diesel & Hallmark Everest. (Former Rig - 99 Ram 2500/ 2000 Sunlite Eagle pop-up)
#4
Posted 25 January 2011 - 09:22 AM
I have no affiliation with these companies other than using their products over the years:
http://www.rki-us.com/default.aspx
http://readingbody.com/
http://www.omahastd.com/
http://www.astoriainc.com/index.shtml
There are some industry standards but they make various cab to axle lengths as well as various box heights, widths and configurations as well as bed widths and deck heights. For example the Hawk on the white Ford circulating the Forum appears to be on a 14.5"w x 24"h box sized bed, (My guess!). Aluminum bodies are more available now than years past. Still expensive, (Like a new steel one isn't!!) but more available. The last link is for a fiberglass manufacturer. In short the possibilities in the service body realm are more varied than may be obvious. I will mention the above manufacturers build for rough industries, as such their steel offerings are heavy...
As our original poster is located in Boise, Utility Trailer & Truck equipment had some "stock" bodies in their yard the last time I was by if you wanted to inspect one up close...
http://www.utilityboise.com/
Hope this info is of value to some one....
Old, bum around in Ford and an even older FWC Grandby
New Mantra: "Everyday camping is just making up for lost time"
#5
Posted 25 January 2011 - 12:24 PM
I found a post by Stan@FWC on Expedition Portal that put a damper on this. From 2008 he writes that the service body will have to be custom built to fit the FWC. Cost $7000.
#6
Posted 26 January 2011 - 07:37 PM
#9
Posted 27 January 2011 - 03:23 AM
His was a 97 or 98 F250 and he had the Grandby built for it back then. The utility boxes on this model are shorter than most (not as tall) which I guess is more difficult to find. It had great storage space for all sorts of gear. Also had a great/sturdy rack on the back that also carried his dual sport bike.
#10
Posted 27 January 2011 - 05:23 AM
Here is one I met at Big Bend earlier this week. Guy from Lubbock, TX, directed him to this site so if you are out there...
His was a 97 or 98 F250 and he had the Grandby built for it back then. The utility boxes on this model are shorter than most (not as tall) which I guess is more difficult to find. It had great storage space for all sorts of gear. Also had a great/sturdy rack on the back that also carried his dual sport bike.
Met the same guy at Saline a year or two ago. I also directed him to the site.
Sunman2003 Four Wheel Camper -Hawk
2023 All Terrain Camper - Panther 2006 Toyota Tundra Double Cab Limited 4WD
2017 Toyota Tundra Double Cab Limited 4WD
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