That is, inspired by Bt’ers like Huck with his pickup truck storage system, gdcarpenter with his “transformer” of a trailer and others, I decided to rebuild my own storage system to make it safer and easier to use. It took me the better part of a day to design, buy the materials, cut, assemble and install. And it cost about $200 in materials. So it may look simple, but it was actually almost a real project. I’ve included some pictures.
Here is the rear view. Each drawer is about 24″W X 15″H X 48″D. There is a gap below the bottom shelf for carrying sheet goods. The gap is a little over 6″ high. If I need more than 12 sheets of drywall (for example), I’m having it delivered. On top, I can still slide in a pre-hung door or molding up to 14′.
The drawers pull open fairly easily since they slide on furniture glides. Especially considering that each drawer weighs about 75 lbs when loaded. They slide out 80% of the way and if I can’t reach something in the back of the drawer from the outside, I can get it from the inside. The drawers are prevented from sliding all the way forward (in a panic stop or accident) by cleats screwed to the bottom of each drawer. Even if the cleat breaks, the top of the drawer will catch the cabinet after sliding a few more inches.
From the side you can see that it still leaves a nice size storage area for things that don’t travel with me all of the time (like the table saw or my bicycle).
Hope you enjoyed the pictures, anybody got any more to share?
-Don
Edited 6/2/2007 7:55 pm ET by DonCanDo
Replies
And finally, the side view. Is there a new limit of 1 attachment per post?
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Edited 6/2/2007 7:58 pm ET by DonCanDo
Here's the view of the drawers.
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Edited 6/2/2007 8:04 pm ET by DonCanDo
Tip 'o the hat -
a most rewarding feeling to improve organization - refreshed every time it improves job performance -
thanks for posting -
"there's enough for everyone"
they look like they are screwed together with Piffen screws. The best in the land. The Piffen Company, "We screw you too".A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do...
Looking good. Hope that is a 1 ton van.
Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood
Thanks, I think you're kidding about the 1 ton van. It's actually a 3/4 ton van (E250), but I don't know what that means because it's rated to carry over 3,000 lbs. As is, it the gross vehicle weight is a little under 7,000 lbs. That means I can still safely stuff another 1/2 ton in there.
Nice work. Gives me some ideas. I have a half ton van and regret it. I don't have any individual items that heavy, but it sure adds up.
Good eye! Indeed they are Piffen (ie. 2 1/2" drywall) screws. When I get a chance, I'm going to go back and glue all of the critical joints. Then I can remove those deadly Piffen screws and re-use them for what they were meant for. Umm, assembling really tall scaffolding, right?
Sweeet.
In one week from now, I should have adiffernt van, I am taking notes. Good job.
Parolee # 40835
Wow that's great. Happy to hear I could be an "inspiration"! I too love gdcarpenter's rig, and have printed pics of it from BreakTime. I hear he got an article in JLC, and would love to get my hands on that copy!
So great to see how others organize their tools/transportation. I'm always taking notes. Nice to see you got 'er done quick - not like my recent toolbox project, which seems to be dragging on!
Keep up the good work, and thanks again for sharing that.
"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
Check your email. You can have my May issue.
-Don
Check your email. You can have my May issue.
Thanks, it came in the mail today! Great writeup on that awesome trailer. Much appreciated - Huck"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
Here's an update after some "real world" experience with my new setup.
I'm liking it a lot. It really makes getting supplies and tools a lot easier. There is at least one downsides to it, however. I had to back in to a steep downhill driveway today. It's about a 15% grade (1.5' rise over a 10' run). Once the back doors are opened, the drawers start sliding out. I have to hold them in with one hand while I fumble for what I need with the other hand. It's not a huge issue and it will probably not happen too often, but I just thought I'd share that consideration in case anyone was thinking about a similar setup.
-Don
What did you do to elevate it the 6"? I want to build a platform in the bed of my F150 (with cap) to allow me to slide sheet goods in without unloading the stuff that stays in the bed of the truck all the time, compressor, hose, gorilla platform, Tub-o-guns, nails, etc.
The cap has boxes on each side which pretty much holds the hand tools, fasteners, batteries, chargers and drills.
I want the platform to be as thin as possible but strong enough to hold all the weight on top of it.
What did you do to elevate it the 6"?
Over each wheel well is a 2X12 that runs from the back to the front. They're very roughly scribed to match the contours of each side of the van. Mostly, the shelves sit on the wheel well, but additional support comes from L-brackets screwed to the body ribbing and "legs" inboard of the wheel well. By measuring and cutting with some care, I left about 48 1/4" between the wheel well shelves.
You can see the legs in this picture:
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The shelves that the drawers rest on are part of a carcass that is simply screwed into the 2X12's. I used a screw every 2".
I'm not sure if this method will work for since you already have boxes on either side.
Edited 6/7/2007 5:54 am ET by DonCanDo
Thanks, I see it now.TFB (Bill)