Building a service truck.

peterbilt18 · Apr 20, 2013

Hello, Im looking to build a service truck and dumptruck in one. I want to know if anyone has any ideas or comments on this. Im using a Ford f550 chasis with a dump body but I would like to use the space between the cab and dump by putting a few boxes and a small bench so I can haul tools and repair my small excavator and dozers and such. Im being a cheap arse and dont want to have to buy two trucks when I think I can use one for two jobs. Anybody have any ideas how I could make this work!? Thanks.

Sort of like the picture included but I want to have a bench with a vise and a mount for small lincoln welder generator and a compressor. Some drawers would be nice.

CM1995 · Apr 20, 2013

Welcome to the Forums peterbuilt18!:drinkup

Very practical concept that I have toyed around with as well, an all around truck that can accomplish many tasks and have what you need when you pull up to the job.

First of all a little background is needed on what you do, as that would affect what you need.

eric12 · Apr 20, 2013

how about buying a cheap 6x10' enclosed trailer for your service end of things that could have a welder, generator, work bench, tool boxes and anything else you need in it and when its ****** out you can work out of the weather. also the insurance and overall costs of a trailer is a lot cheaper than a second truck. the only down side is you can't tow it and another trailer with your machine on it unfortunately. but if you carry basic tools for every day common things in the truck then a whole set up in the trailer youd be set and not have to worry about taking stuff in and out of your truck all the time. also you could stock it with filters and oil for servicing on the job.

peterbilt18 · Apr 21, 2013

Thanks for the welcome and the reply! I do excavations on a large and small scale, and landscaping. I usually work with smaller excavators, bobcats, and such. I bring a small box of wrenches, socket drivers, and some basic tools, but when something breaks down or when a hydraulic hose breaks I have to go all the way back to the shop to get extra tools and the parts needed.

peterbilt18 · Apr 21, 2013

I thought about buying a trailer too. But as you said I cant haul two trailers. I sort of want to cut down on how many times I run to the shop a day because its adding up. Im thinking about putting some boxes bellow the dump on the chassis and then doing like the picture I included above but have a smaller box on one side to use as a bench. I was also thinking about having the boxes on the dump bed but Im not sure if it would keep the tools in the drawer when the dump goes up.

Heres some pictures to help build an idea of what im thinking about.

CM1995 · Apr 21, 2013

Have you thought about jumping up a truck size, say to a Int 4300? You could get a truck that would normally carry a 16' flat but put a 12' flat with a pac rat toolbox like the one on the first truck and then a 1-2 flat area to mount a vise or carry hand tools. Have a head board on the flat bed dump with a small cab protector. You could also mount tool boxes to the frame under the 12' section of flatbed dump.
That's what I have been kicking around.

Personally I don't like the idea of the tool boxes mounted on the dumping flat bed not just the fact your tools will get jostled around every dump but if you use the dump much you will destroy the tool boxes.

Shenandoah · Apr 21, 2013

Those boxes that raise with the dump bed look like a bad idea on many levels. It seems to me you could hang brackets off the frame that would hold the boxes for a much better setup.

Something else you could noddle around with would be to create a 'slide-out/slide-in' arm to attach a workbench top or a vise or whatever. Basically, two squarish tubes where one is attached to the truck and the other slides in and out of the first tube. That's how the passenger side crane outrigger is on my service box, and those set ups can be very strong. When you need it, extend it, when you don't it's out of the way. The arm would create a base for any number of iterations you could think of.

erthmover · Apr 21, 2013

Check into a Stahl Challenger utility body/ dump combo. I think it may fit your needs.

Link
http://www.stahltruckbodies.com/challenger-dump

Shenandoah · Apr 21, 2013

erthmover said:
Check into a Stahl Challenger utility body/ dump combo. I think it may fit your needs.

That's one cool box. Ironically, our local quarry won't allow those type of beds to be filled using their loaders. If you want stone from them and have a box like that, or a pick up bed, you need to show up with your own loader or shovel the stuff in by hand. Been there done that. It sucks...

Nige · Apr 21, 2013

Just found out - we're getting one of these as a fuel/service truck........ And best of all I have a brand-new 789D chassis sitting in the yard on which to install it ............

CM1995 · Apr 21, 2013

Nige said:
Just found out - we're getting one of these as a fuel/service truck........ And best of all I have a brand-new 789D chassis sitting in the yard on which to install it ............

View attachment 101963

Hey Nige fuel tank is empty on the job, can you have the guys swing buy and fill it up?:tong

Oxbow · Apr 21, 2013

Quit showing off Nige!

biggrader · Apr 21, 2013

Pete18, We have a F450 w/ a 11 ft dumping landscaper box on it. We are trying to come up with some ideas to make it a service truck during the summer. We want to have boxes on the side and a fuel tank in the middle. I think we are going to make it on a frame and then be able to fork it out when not needed. We dont really have a need for a small dump, already have another one, but this truck has a plow on it for the winter time and it would be nice to lift it out for the winter time.

Keep the ideas coming!!!

Randy88 · Apr 21, 2013

Can you tell us what for tools your planning on taking with you in the truck and how often you use the dump bed? How much or what you haul and what it weighs normally. From what I see and its only one opinion by the time you get some tools, boxes and a dump bed and something in it, I'm wondering how much anything you'll be able to carry in the dump bed?

I'd agree with CM on this one, maybe a larger truck to mount everything on. I"d opt for a dump trailer and carry my tools on the truck at all times, but I don't know what exactly what you need to carry for tools. I know its another trip but all that mounted on a ford F550 might overload you pretty quickly and not be able to carry much in the dump bed. As for only needing the basic tools, I started out that way too, now my international 4900 single axle is overloaded and I still need more room. Most 350/450/550's are always overloaded from what I see, I was also wondering how much fuel you need to carry on it as well, 100 gallons or more, less what?

peterbilt18 · Apr 21, 2013

Here is what I typically carry. I dont always have to haul everything everyday if my machine is already on site.

5 ton Kubota mini http://www.ceunbound.com/pix/blog/3-25-10 Kubota 2.jpg

Trailer http://www.trailersforless.com/loadtrail/bc-12s-page-4-A-t.jpg

I carry 2 diesel cans

A few rakes and shovels in the bed. What im looking to carry is as follows,

Lincoln gas driven welder generator- http://assets.lincolnelectric.com/assets/global/Products/K2707-2/140x140.jpg

Dewalt 4 gallon compressor- http://www.blackanddecker.com//ProductImages/PC_Graphics/PHOTOS/DEWALT/TOOLS/LARGE/5/D55153_1.jpg

Ingersoll rand impact wrench- http://ingersollrandimpactwrench.or...02/Ingersoll-Rand-Impact-Wrench-2115TiMax.png

My wrenches ,sockets and screw drivers, hammer and ballpein, hydraulic hoses, 16 ton bottle jack. All I can think of but thats another question I have, What are some tools I would defiantly need to work on equipment in the feild? Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and questions, comments. Keep them coming :notworthy

peterbilt18 · Apr 21, 2013

By the way, very nice rig you got there Nige !! Hopefully we can both get some ideas from this biggrader.

Dualie · Apr 22, 2013

does that little dewalt compressor have enough balls to run an impact?

Oxbow · Apr 22, 2013

This one is on Iron Planet now. Is this what you had in mind?

Randy88 · Apr 22, 2013

Peterbilt, everything your asking is personal preference, everyone wants something different, I personally want to always have my tools with me no matter where I go, fuel, greasing, air, air tools and can handle most anything in the field, along with lasers, tripods, receivers, and a whole lot more. I can't imagine me ever getting all I need in less than a whole truck bed, and I'm always needing more room. I carry a lot of fuel with me, but I'd stay under 110 gallons of fuel per tank to avoid a hazmat endorsement

Oxbow · Apr 22, 2013

I carry a lot of fuel with me, but I'd stay under 110 gallons of fuel per tank to avoid a hazmat endorsement

Hey Randy, I have hazmat endorsement so I do not worry about it, but my impression was that it was anything over 1000lbs, not per tank. The per tank makes more sense though, it seems every time I read the DOT stuff I end up more confused than when I started!

Building a service truck.

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