Truck Service Bodies

SugarHillCTD wrote:
Doug,

I have often thought of a service body truck to carry a truck camper.

But just from casual glances at them, I think that the side boxes are too high for the bottom of the camper to sit on the truck bed.

Sure the bed could be built up so the "wings" of the TC could clear the side boxes, but that would create a large space above the truck cab and below the cabover part of the camper.

Are my observations correct? Are the service body side boxes in Oz lower than in the states?

Curious.

John

Not sure about OZ Land, but in America my cabinets are full height and depth, (40"X20") with my Lance 1191 sitting very nicely on top.

805gregg wrote:
If it's not aluminum, it will add a lot of weight to your truck

Yes, it will. Well, maybe not a lot as Aluminium as it needs to go bigger to be stronger. The gap between steel and aluminium begins to narrow when it comes to weight. If you really want to save weight and at any cost, start looking at Carbon Fiber. There are always compromises, but reliability and strength is a priority to me.

Fisher Bill wrote:
you can always customize as they say.

Bill

Yes, but you can always just purchase one right out of a catalog, without any custom work, at least for my Lance it was.

2manydogs wrote:
Check out Douglass truck bodies

Not a good idea.

While they build a really Pretty truck bed, they will charge a lot of money for it.

They were willing to build me one for me, for almost double what I ended up paying another Service Body manufacturer. Oh yeah, Douglass would Truck Bodies would paint, install and connect wiring with my Ford Cab Chassis, for an additional cost.

Again, Douglass Truck Bodies builds a really nice Service Bed, just put lots more money in your checking account.

My upfitter included, installation, painting, wiring and hitch (Cab Chassis Trucks do not come with a hitch, from the manufacturers)

I'm not familiar with Stahl and Reading, other than I know them as manufacturers.

b

Check out Douglass truck bodies

I've seen them on the road and really liked the extra cargo for tools and such but when I called around (about 3 or 4 companies) they didn't have any info about them.

One place I called (I think it was Reading) told me they used to make them but because of the ever changing plumbing for TC's they stopped but you can always customize as they say.

Bill

My next TC hauler will very likely be a Ram 5500 4*4 with a flatbed. I'll then add boxes under and on top as space allows.

Seen several custom service bodies and they are really nice too but you pay$$$$. Highway Products in Oregon will make you anything you wish and do really nice work.

Thanks dieselbobcat , I will investigate your comments.

I have owned multiple work trucks with service bodies. I did have a Aluminum Reading 8' standard SRW body on a 97' F250 Powerstroke. Body only weighed about 575 lb. no rust to worry about.... BUT .... Aluminum service bodies from Reading are not rated for off road use nor are they robust for being overloaded. I had System One racks and the truck was loaded to max GVWR all the time. The body mounts did fail after a few years of service. I don't know if I would put a TC in one. Steel bodies can be easily modified and beefed up as needed... they can also come "crane ready" and "arial lift" ready from the factory. My current truck has a Stahl body... I think the quality of Reading is superior, but a enclosed body for my current application was not available from Reading.

I used standard size aluminum boxes from Buyers products. These boxes are bolted to a flatbed. Everything can come together to give you an 8 foot bed. My bed is 10 foot 6 inches.g Pictures are at Expedition Portal. I do not know how to post here or transfer to this site. An all aluminum bed from Highway products is $15K. I built mine for $4000. No welding needed.

http://www.800toolbox.com/ in Oregon are aluminum. Others here recommended them.

If it's not aluminum, it will add a lot of weight to your truck

A fellow Arctic Fox owner recently bought the Ford chassis and had a Reading service box installed on it. Reading built the box to his specs after he supplied them with the TC measurements. He got the steel box, painted white. He looked into the aluminum boxes which he liked but they were quite a bit more expensive. Reading has been in business for years and they have a great reputation.