Building a workshop on a truck tray- help

[tylerae40]

Building a workshop on a truck bed- help

G'day to all,
I'm looking to build a workshop body onto a 16 foot truck bed/ tray i have. I'm asking for ideas or pics of what you've seen. I work in the city and all my tools and car stuff are in an open front shed out on my parents farm. I want to be able have all my tools, parts etc locked up in it, with shelves benches etc all setup for when i come home on weekends.

I've chosen the truck tray because i already had it in the shed and i don't plan on using it as an actually driving truck. The tray is about 2300mm x 4500mm, with a full steel framework and a steel outer rim with wooden boards across the top. I plan to do any welding work outside and have this body as storage and cold work.
I was previously going to get a 20ft sea container but the local shire has made it difficult to keep one at my house in town. I'm not to sure on the body type or the layout yet. I'm looking to build it so it's fairly moveable (the truck drives), has a bit of a cool old feel to it (think gypsy trailer) and it's cheap. I'm a boilermaker apprentice in perth western australia so welding is not a problem. Although the truck and the shed that it's in are out in the country so i'll only be able to work on it on weekends.

I did a few searches on trailer workshops and the like and the only interesting thing i came up with was a ww1 one-

http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/utils/getfile/collection/p4013coll9/id/60/filename/61.pdf

So was wondering if any of you could post some pics of good setups, or just cool old trailers, cheers tyler

 

[Garage5.9]

whats a truck tray mate ?

 

[tylerae40]

the flat deck on the back of a truck or lorry where they load stuff onto.

 

[kbs2244]

I would think about just setting an older truck “box” on what you have.
If you want a antique look there should be some in you local junk yard.
If you are a welder, repairing and body damage should not be a challenge.

But I would also think about a trailer instead of the truck.
It would be lower to the ground and easier to get in and out of.
Visit your local race track for some ideas.

 

[dwp99]

I would have to agree with kbs2244 consider making the truck tray workshop on a trailer frame.

I worked out of the back of a C30 Chevrolet service truck for 3 years and hated it.

1. Stepping up and in and down and out for everything needed to work on a particular job gets old fast

2. Having everything out then needing to go into town to get a part, now everything needs to be put away if you need the truck to drive.

3. The insurance for another vehicle, trailers do not need insurance here in the states.

My guess, if your truck tray is 16 feet long is that you have a 2 1/2 ton truck that's even a bigger step up than the C30 I worked out of.

Something like this

 

[sberry]

I actually don't mind a service body if I am working out of it daily. I have to climb in for the occasional thing but can pretty much pull up and get 3/4 of it from the drivers side ground. The tools all run from the drives side, reach thru box to start welder. Air comp is on pass side with controls on drivers. Biggest thing I dont care for is the cab is tall and its a reach, a good step helps but I can reach in a common pickup easily, the good side to that is that there is enough box room I dont tend to stuff the cab .

I was going to put a crane on it but have one on another truck with 20 ft flat bed and I really rarely use this anymore, about a couple times a year it seems,,, when you need it you do, worth keeping around like a fire truck and more than welding really heavy air impact and hefty comp.

Tools have got better, battery power and inverter welder, sawzall, I really work out of a pickup for the most part if I have to do field work.

 

[demographic]

In the UK there's surplus demountable boxes designed to be carried on the back of a truck
This is the list of kit with them...
"Insulated Workshop Cabin,Side Door,Twin Rear Door,Large fixed Vice,2 Small Windows in Doors 3 Side Windows,Strip Lights, Angle Poise lamps,Plug Sockets
Harrison M 300 Lathe, 3in Chuck,Vent Axia Fan, Stainless Steel Work tops & Storage Cabinets.Storage Draws
Had been Mounted on Bedford MJ 4x4 Ley Daf 4x4 Trucks
Internal Size 4.30m long, 2.35m Wide.
1.90m high.
External Power (Lathe 3 Phase) Lights 24V"

 

[southalabama]

almost looks to be a Jack Olsen layout with angled end bench, first aid kit and in Olsen Green.

 

[Steevo]

Here's a US Military mobile Machine shop truck

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.461721371347.250374.60563266347&type=3

 

[tylerae40]

This is the same bedford truck model- but mine doesn't drive anywhere ( un licenced)

Cheers for the info guys, There photo's are basically what i'm looking to build (minus the odd windows) using angle iron and iron sheeting, as it's the easiest thing to build off of the flat tray that i have, and it's cheap. I will post some pics of the truck when next home.
The truck tray itself is only u bolted to the truck chassis so if i wish to take it off in the future, it'll just be a case of using the 5t forklift to lift it off. What i'm planning is basically just a enclosed furniture body.
I had a look around and made a few calls but most of the truck removals bodies at wreckers etc, where all about the $1000 mark and over, I even went and looked at one for sale for $800, but i'd have to put in at least $1000 into it just to make it water tight, and then pay the $500+freight to get it transported out bush. Where as i hope to have my body done and fitted out for $2000. I'm just working out the cost of the steel etc at the moment, and will post up how i progress, any ideas please post up, cheers,

 

[tylerae40]

update,
ive been checking out pic of some of the trucks and cars from the 'burning man' festival, like the look of the 'neverwas' house/ truck, and me being a bit odd and an artist when i have time i might chuck so odd spins into this build. let the odd begin

 

[HOTFR8]

Look at some of the Telstra, water or gas or power company vehicles and you will get some good ideas. Also CFA in Victoria have some great Truck work shop set ups as do companies like Cummins and Cat. I would think in WA you would see some great set ups from the mines.

 

[HOTFR8]

A few ideas I got from google.

 

[tylerae40]

I Have made my plans and have started a build thread over in garage gallery- its called the gypsy workshop. thankyou for your ideas and pics. Will apdate on the other thread as i make slow progress. cheers tyler


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2432376#post2432376

 

[HOTFR8]

Followed you to the new topic .