Service/utility body

[Silvertip47]

All this talk about flatbeds and building campers has really increased my interest for something different. Not a good thing for the old bank account!!!

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

 

[pods8]

Regaining all the dead space in a normal truck body panel is very tempting when you look at it.

 

[Vic]

(checking back in after being gone for a few months)

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.earthroamer.com/tab_aboutus/truck_bed_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

 

[LuckyDan]

If someone is seriously considering a service body allow me to offer the following;

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....

 

[Silvertip47]

Thanks all for the great info!!

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.

 

[brianjwilson]

Unfortunately, when I talked to Stan before, FWC didn't seem to have any interest in doing custom or modified campers either. The main problem would be the intermediate step above the wheel wells, below the bed rails. With that, the couch wouldn't sit low and everything would be off. On the other hand, it seems like Northstars have straight knee-walls without that step.

 

[4llamas]

Anyone know the story behind this rig? Would this be a custom FWC build? I saw it in Carmel last year.

 

[4llamas]

Carmel last year. Custom or...

 

[Barko1]

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.

 

[SunMan]

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.

 

[Silvertip47]

Maybe Stan has an update since his 2008 post. Maybe there is now a service body compatible for his campers. Stan, you out there?

 

[Kilroy]

I thought I wanted a service also. By the time I looked at the expense and some of the limitations to having one (reduced carrying capacity without camper, limited choices for what camper I could use) I decided to go with an aluminum flat bed. I've a large amount of space for storage where fenders used to be. I haven't put on under body boxes, which would be more space. But haven't felt need at this time. If/when traveling for months at a time I will probably add some under body boxes.

That being said, if you can swing the expense and get the right camper, the service body is a sweet way to go.

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

nope, no updates on this one.



The utility body truck bed are an awesome set up, but it will need to be custom built to fit the camper.

The stock "off the shelf" utility beds are too narrow to allow the camper to fit.

A custom made utility bed has been running approx. $ 7000.00 just for the bed.

Too much $$$ for most people.

Great if you have the extra $$$ to spend on a custom rig.




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Maybe Stan has an update since his 2008 post. Maybe there is now a service body compatible for his campers. Stan, you out there?




.

 

[Silvertip47]

Thank you!!