Truck Service Bodies

[Sheriffdoug]

lWhat truck service body do you have or recomend?

Please attach photo.

Which would you like?

[bka0721]

Here is one I spied, in January, as I was traveling through Arizona. I had never seen a stainless steel one before.





b


A couple more. I will keep looking for some more, in my files;

[bka0721]

Sheriffdoug wrote:
Thank You All, Enjoying your posts.

How does a Truck Service Body lower your centre of gravity?

Hi Doug!

Think of Aircraft Carriers and or Battleships. When the weight above is a fraction of what is on the bottom portion, it lowers the center of gravity. Many truck campers strategically load heavy items in the lower part of their Truck Camper, not on the roof or upper cabinets.

A typical Lance 1191 comes in over 4,500lbs. It also has all the heavy tanks (Potable/Gray/Black/Batteries) in the basement. Framing and construction of actual Truck Camper. These heavy items rest in the bed of my service body. Say this combined weight would be about 2,000lbs.


Let’s do the math;

11,132 lbs Certified Tare wt# submitted to DMV for lic of a truck that is considered a commercial truck, Truck and Service Body combined without any loading of personal items, spare tire, propane, aux diesel fuel, passengers.

2,000 lbsCombined weight of Tanks/supplies/portion of Truck Camper nestled into bed of service body.

1,950 lbsCombined weight of Aux Propane/Tank (100g) and Aux Potable Water/Tanks (140g)(1,462#), & Enclosed Trailer (210# 3 tires/wheels), Tongue weight of trailer (650#), Tools and supplies (1,000#).

15,082 lbs Total Weight

vs.

2,500 lbsCombined portion of upper portion of Truck Camper (above line of Service Body)

Conclusion?
Math wins.


While the visible portion of the Truck Camper is higher, the weight is down low. War Ships, Boats, Semi Trucks and the like have taken advantage of this for years. Oh, yeah. Truck Camper Manufacturers have been doing the same, by putting the heavy tanks down low too. That is why putting Storage Pods, Solar and A/C on the roof of very lite Truck Campers create issues of being top heavy.

b

[woodhog]

he deck raises the COG a bit but the stability of a heavier truck fixes that no question! This deck was custom built at Alum Line, did a nice job reasonably priced. Makes for lots of storage space.

Nice looking deck...

What is the measurement from the top of the rear tires to the bottom of the deck when loaded and ready to go???

Have the rear tires ever scrapped on the bottom of the deck??

Thanks

[markowwes]

The deck raises the COG a bit but the stability of a heavier truck fixes that no question! This deck was custom built at Alum Line, did a nice job reasonably priced. Makes for lots of storage space.

[Sheriffdoug]

Thank You All, Enjoying your posts.

How does a Truck Service Body lower your centre of gravity?

[bka0721]

wanderingbob wrote:
How much does it raise the center of gravity ?

It lowers it, as all the weight is lower.

Those will point out the extra weight of a service body, but this is one of the plusses provided. When driving my combination, you will notice very quickly how limited the sway is, as well as when camping and the wind is buffeting your camper.

b

[wanderingbob]

How much does it raise the center of gravity ?

[Palomar]

Thanks, Bryan. I've still gotta figure out the photo posting routine, too. I'm learning! Appreciate the warm welcome.

[bka0721]

Welcome to the Forum, Palomar!

Lots of help here, don't hesitate to seek any assistance here. Lots of knowledgeable people, here too.

Also, don't forget to post the details on your upcoming project, as well.

bryan

[Palomar]

Hello,

Just found and joined the forum and saw this subject so I thought I'd introduce us and do my first post.

We have a used C-Tec low profile utility bed on our Chevy and have been very pleased with the results.

Now that we've had a chance to get used to it we'd definitely do it again. Probably go for broke and do a custom built verses finding a used one that fit our camper. Previous posters are right - it can be expensive getting a custom made utility bed, but depending on how important it is to organize your stuff it makes sense to us to justify the expense. The better half was skeptical at first but now she loves the organization, not having to load stuff in and out to set up camp, and she likes the look, too.

Look forward to participating in the forum.

[bka0721]

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

[2manydogs]

Check out Douglass truck bodies

[Fisher_Bill]

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

[2BLAZERS]

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.