REAL MAN TRUCKWORKS & SURVIVAL

VEHICLES, CAMPERS, and BOATS => Everything Trailer, Camper, or RV related => Topic started by: JR on July 11, 2016, 02:13:05 AM

Title: Adding a shelf to the Shell.
Post by: JR on July 11, 2016, 02:13:05 AM: Never seem to have enough room in the shell as I carry alot like Don so real "available" packing space is limited. Now I will agree I do over do it some, but I would rather have than not.

I do have a bed slider which helps some, but you must keep it all from sliding around and packing "up" so it doesn't slide around.

So with a short bed (6.5ft) I figured about 1/2 of that could be a shelf. The 1st pic here is the inside with all the normal stuff.
Title: Re: Adding a shelf to the Shell.
Post by: JR on July 11, 2016, 02:20:12 AM: So I had a couple pieces of uni-strut I cut to fit across the rear 2 shell clamp bolts. I wrapped the ends in duck tape and just used the stock bolts.
Title: Re: Adding a shelf to the Shell.
Post by: JR on July 11, 2016, 03:04:25 AM: Then I added some 7/16 OSB on top, using wire ties to hold it down. Then added a 1x1.5 strip to the rear for a lip using screws to hold it on. There are also strips of OSB on the edges and a piece between the boards to keep the flex down.
Title: Re: Adding a shelf to the Shell.
Post by: JR on July 11, 2016, 03:07:30 AM: I did want some tie downs so I added eye bolts in the 4 corners (only thing I bought for this). That was about it and it works well.

The original idea was to make it a slider too, but I didn't have the time before my trip. I did buy 36in 250lb drawer slides for it, so that is next.
Title: Re: Adding a shelf to the Shell.
Post by: Bigdave_185 on July 11, 2016, 10:16:03 AM: Looks good. How much space does the slider take from your bed? Those are pretty thick aren't they

Raising boys into RealMen!!
Title: Re: Adding a shelf to the Shell.
Post by: JR on July 11, 2016, 11:42:12 AM: The bed slide takes about 4 inches but being able to load once and not crawl in makes the loss a fair trade off. Plus you can load longer items and leave it out to help. (they don't recommend it)
Title: Re: Adding a shelf to the Shell.
Post by: longball on July 17, 2016, 12:16:25 AM: Forgive me for possibly stating the obvious but given the height of the shelf (head level) it would be nice to see some protection against whatever is on that shelf from going through the back glass if you were to have a front end collision. Unfortunately, I work a lot of wrecks and have seen airborne cargo cause serious injuries.

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Title: Re: Adding a shelf to the Shell.
Post by: EL TATE on July 18, 2016, 05:41:47 PM: he's got a solid point there JR. fab you up a headache rack and protect that noggin. I like the shelf a lot though, nice work.
Title: Re: Adding a shelf to the Shell.
Post by: TexasRedNeck on July 18, 2016, 08:59:31 PM: Have you seen that noggin!? More like protect the cargo from his noggin

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Title: Re: Adding a shelf to the Shell.
Post by: JR on July 18, 2016, 11:50:36 PM: I just put light stuff up there. Normally sleeping bags, mats or chairs. Nothing to really hit me or the passengers in the noggin.