Replies

1. 
   Pro-Dek | Jan 17, 2002 07:03am | #1

   *
   Extendobed works for me-you might want to beef up your spings though.This is their 1600# unit.

1. 
   jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Jan 17, 2002 07:04am | #2

   *Get a van.

1. 
   Pro-Dek | Jan 17, 2002 07:06am | #3

   *They make a double decker for tools on top and lumber below. They start at $800 and go up from there. They weigh about 350# empty so you will pay some freight. Well worth the money!Bob

1. 
   Pro-Dek | Jan 17, 2002 07:09am | #4

   *Hey Jim! did you get a ladder rack yet? They make those slide out units for vans too.

1. 
   r__ignacki | Jan 18, 2002 06:33am | #5

   *BuilderNM.I have a Beaver Bed system, looks like the one in Pro-dEks photo, it's basically a pair of garage door tracks, with a metal tray. Gas tank, and exhaust system made installation difficult, it's not bad, though.

2. 
   Matthew_Steadman | Jan 18, 2002 06:48am | #6

   *I love my 5x8 trailer. Everything's always there and no unloading if I want to go camping on the weekend.

3. 
   Kyle_Bartlett | Jan 22, 2002 04:28am | #7

   *Extendo Beds are great but bloody exspensive. Make one out of plywood and find some heavy duty slides at an industrial supply house. Or try garage door tracks.

4. 
   Pro-Dek | Jan 22, 2002 08:54am | #8

   *Sorry Kyle-but garage door tracks were made for garage doors which weigh what,about 300#The reason Extendobed costs so much is that it is designed to hold 1600-1800#(extended) and it extends "all the way out" of your truck or van.How would you make a garage door track do that?Extendobed is also built for abuse and will probably outlast your truck.You get what you pay for.Bob

5. 
   Luka_ | Jan 22, 2002 11:29am | #9

   *Just throw some marbles in the bed, and toss a piece of plywood on top of them. That setup is as good as Bob's.b : )And who cares if the back end tips and all yout tools end up on the ground. That's where you wanted them isn't it. hahaha

6. 
   Pro-Dek | Jan 22, 2002 07:34pm | #10

   *LOL Luka- Sounds like a great set up except the marble thing, at my age I can't afford to lose any more marbles.

7. 
   John_Quinton | Jan 23, 2002 10:20am | #11

   *An alternative to the extendobed is to replace the side glass in your canopy with "windoors". They are hinged glass doors the size of the side windows in your canopy and lift up. They have the same locking handles as your canopy. That way you can just reach in. In my truck I put 2x4s across the bed in the built in brackets and then put plywood on top to form a platform. The space below is where I transport material and the tools go above, in locked boxes. I put a rubber bed mat on the plywood to stop things from sliding around. No more material piled on the tools. This system combined with a roof rack allows me to carry anything that doesn't warrant delivery. I also added a hinged flap door at the back of the plywood that tips up so I can leave the tailgate down but the tools above are in the locked canopy. Another advantage is if you need to empty the bed everything comes out in about 5 minutes, as nothing is screwed in place.

8. 
   Luka_ | Jan 23, 2002 02:29pm | #12

   *Dangit. I wish someone had told me sooner. I've wasted soooooo many marbles....

9. 
   Eric_Pinkston | Jan 25, 2002 01:35am | #13

   *I agree with matthew on this one. Read the thread on trailers. A small 5x8 costs less than $2,000 but it frees up the bed of the truck for materials and tools you don't carry all the time. Lots of Pros, few cons.Eric

10. 
    Tim_Mooney | Jan 25, 2002 01:50am | #14

    *I guess Im with Eric and Matthew . Extenobed looks fine ,but where do you go for the hand tools ?I have a truck with surround boxes and a ladder rack. Plus big carry boxes in the bed. I have 3 different trailers I pull ;an old horse trailer with open top,4x8 utility,and a 7x16 utility.Even bought another truck that is an open bed , but I havent found the answer. Thinking I never will.Bob, your rig looks nice.

11. 
    Andy_W | Jan 25, 2002 07:24am | #15

    *Builder:I'm with crazylegs...get a van...very customizable, locks up nicely...Andy

12. 
    Pro-Dek | Jan 25, 2002 10:51am | #16

    *Man Tim! Sounds like you have way to many tools if you need all those fancy rigs to carry them around in.:-)

13. 
    Tim_Mooney | Jan 29, 2002 05:43am | #17

    *Thats my weakness Bob. Im a new tool collector. Very bad habit !!!!!!