The thread below about truck boxes reminded me of something I though of a long time ago: Has anyone ever surveyed from a Truck with a service body?
I think it could be ideal if you could find one that would fit legs, stakes, rods, etc.
I used to see a lot of service body trucks with an ATV in the back, that's what piqued my interest originally. ATVs have grown, though, and this may not be doable anymore.
That's what I use. I have a service body that has the full width compartment behind the cab. That leaves about 6 feet in the bed. I can get an ATV in there but must leave the tailgate down. The inside is 49" and the ATV is about 48" so it barely fits. Everything else fits in the service body compartments. The truck is a regular cab to keep the length down for turning in the mountains. I did buy a 1 ton Duramax/Allison though so if I want to pull a trailer no problem. Plenty of power and I love the six speed automatic.
>the ATV is about 48"
Just wondering what ATV are you running?
> The thread below about truck boxes reminded me of something I though of a long time ago: Has anyone ever surveyed from a Truck with a service body?
>
> I think it could be ideal if you could find one that would fit legs, stakes, rods, etc.
>
> I used to see a lot of service body trucks with an ATV in the back, that's what piqued my interest originally. ATVs have grown, though, and this may not be doable anymore.
I had one for awhile. Built on a F250. It cost about $9k over the cost of a new F250 and there was a $1k kickback for the factory pickup box. A cover over the center part is an option not often bought by typical users but provides a secure and dry place for tripod and rods and such.
Another worthwhile option is security locking. I'd do it again.
There are several brands. The Reading brand we bought is one of the most expensive but we felt the quality would be worth it in the long run.
We had spent over $2k on box covers on other trucks and had priced a Silver Shield setup at $5k, so the cost was not as extraordinary as it might seema t first blush.
2004 Polaris 500 Sportsman 4x4
Is the clearance width-wise close or do you have some room to spare?
I was looking at a Knapheide (sp?) box a while back, but I couldn't find an ATV that could fit width-wise.
Works great! Spendy, but efficient.
"A place for everything, and everything in its place"
Front wheels an inch plus, maybe 2 inches total. Back wheels about 1/2 inch. It fits fine. For a while I had some rims on the back that made it wider and it wedged in. Transferred the tires back to the original rims and it fits OK. You gotta hit the hole as you drive in though. The front being narrower works good, if you are a bit crooked the back will slide over and go in OK. A couple of times I've hit the body with the front tires and had to back down the ramp and start over. You should be able to look at the manufactures specs and find ATV width's. They might be making them bigger now. A side by side would never fit, they are 5 feet or so wide.
For me it all makes a nice compact unit. Regular cab, so standard length truck. Able to get around in the back country OK (able to turn around), don't need to fool around with trailers. I only take the ATV about 1/3 of the time.
Yeah, the body with the options I got was $9500 in 2006. I sold the original pickup bed (from a new truck) for $1200 so the net cost was $8300.
A new Polaris Sportsman 570 specs at 48" wide. The 850 is 52" wide. I'm not sure for surveying I'd want the big one. My old 500 gets around just fine and I'm a big guy.
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This is my current survey chariot...a 2005 Chevy one ton crew cab dually with a Knapheide box. It's freaking huge! I'm pretty sure I could haul enough gear for two or three crews.
The thing is a beast though and a pita to turn around or fit into any tight areas. A lot of the hinges and latches on the box have failed as well...doors will pop open as you go around corners. o.O
I would take a pickup with a topper any day over this thing.
On further review it looks like all the single width Polaris ATV's are about 48" wide. I still wouldn't want a big heavy one for a survey rig.
Traditionally I'm a Honda man. The Fourtrax rancher is 47.4" wide.
I worked from one of these in the past, it was dang near unstoppable (mechanically speaking).
These days I would give Polaris a look too, though, as I have gotten good service from their side-by-sides.
Yeah that is a bit large. I was thinking more along the lines of the smaller service bodies that go on a half ton pickup. I would probably never buy a dually.
Mine is like this except they used to make them with curved sides. I wouldn't go for a crew cab and the dual wheels truck for a survey rig. The aluminum would save weight but probably cost a lot more.
I'm not sure there is a service body that is made for a 1/2 ton?
We always worked out of a service body. Omaha ? If I recall correctly.
We moved the body to 3 trucks, but it finally rotted in about 2009. We couldn't justify the expense of a new body so went to a pickup with cap.
I absolutely detest working out of a pickup bed. The cap, even though has side access doors and cabinets is ok, but wastes a huge amount of bed space.
The 8 foot bed has an area of essentially dead space immediately behind the cab.
As soon as we can, I'll be going back to a utility body.
