We just bought a F150 with a 6.5' bed with a cover. I need to either buy or make a box for the legs, poles, etc.
I'm not looking to spend thousands on a Silver Shield system, and I don't really feel like building a box.
Anyone have suggestions - or am I stuck building?
We threw out a Silver Shield after a year - it fell apart.
The one we have now we've had for 7 years. It's heavy, but rock-solid. Highly recommended.
Formerly Herculoc, you can look at them here: http://www.surveytruck.com/
Think PVC mounted to wood braces. 10" handles the tripods, and the 6" for staffs.
That's just regular strapping holding it together. (1"x3")
You are committing a crime. Those fine milk boxes belong to the milk company.
🙂
N
The things that you find while out surveying, besides, I was talking about PVC not milk crates! LOL
Thanks. I was hoping not to have to build - but it looks like that's my only cheap way out.
PVC pipe works well and they don't need to be attached to anything. The other Items carried can be used as stoppers so the PVC does nor move around. Use the space between the pipe to store range rods, your digging bar or anything else that fits. Would recommend that you get a pad made out of recycled rubber and put in your pickup box first. Probably get them where horse trailers are sold or at a feed store. I have 4 that I was able to talk a contractor out of. Unless you plan on rolling your rig, they should be easy to keep in place, they are easy to unload if you need the box empty to haul something.
jud
You can paint redhot solvent along the springline of the pipes and then hold them together for a minute or so. Believe me they won't come apart after that.
If you really want to save money
Track down your most depised competitor that has a similar sized survey rig. Transfer his storage system, and gear, to your truck and keep driving. A lath is a lath is a lath.;-)
Has anybody else ever been drivin' down the HWY at 90 MPH, forgot to latch the silver shield on both sides, and watched it dance up and down, side to side, as though it were about to take off?! Or am I the only 16 year old, young, dumb, and full of cummas!? Glad it didn't happen because I might not be surveying today!
I just built one for a Dodge Ram of similar dimensions using 1/2" subfloor and 1x10s. I used the 1x10s for the cubby holes and used the pieces I cut for backstops so stuff wouldn't slide all the way to the front of the bed. If you can get your hands on the right sized PVC piping for tripods and rods it is definitely lighter. I just needed to throw something together quick, and this box has worked out so far.
Check my post....
http://beerleg.com/index.php?mode=thread&id=114127
That box just keeps hanging in. Around 20 years now. I expect to retire with that thing.
Just use dadoes, screws and glue(Loctite PL). Also, I used some carpeting on the bottom and sides when I had a pickup to preserve the paint in the bed. Use some wedges on the side of your box at the wheel wells to really make it part of the truck and to keep it from sliding fore and aft.The little movements as you drive around is what will tear your box apart.
