Flatbed tray with single-piece bottom: does it exist?

Submitted: Saturday, Dec 06, 2008 at 09:32

ThreadID: 64062 Views:3166 Replies:5 FollowUps:5

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Member - Klaus J (NSW)

For our job we need a car to hold loads of camera gear, provisions, water and fuel to last sometimes for 2 weeks away from civilisation. The best car for that was my 4x4 Nissan 1-ton truck / tray / canopy. It became my 2nd address. Could sleep in it without the trouble of a tent. The only disadvantage: the bottom of the tray consisted of pieces joined by seams. And they let water through from underneath. I want to get a similar car again and have been looking around for a tray with a solid single-piece bottom. I can’t find any. Do they exist?
Thanks for reply - Klaus and Rusty
The best of Nature and Wilderness.

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Reply By: RV Powerstream P/L - Saturday, Dec 06, 2008 at 09:52

Saturday, Dec 06, 2008 at 09:52

I cannot see that as a problem if the tray floor is of aluminium ofr steel all seams can be fully welded so am I missing something in your post.
Ian

AnswerID: 338515

Follow Up By: Member - Klaus J (NSW) - Sunday, Dec 07, 2008 at 14:46

Sunday, Dec 07, 2008 at 14:46

Hi Ian, the idea/possibility of welding those leaking seams had never entered my totally un-practical mind.
Thanks for helpful tip - Klaus
www.oz-greetings.com.au

FollowupID: 606193

Reply By: OzTroopy - Saturday, Dec 06, 2008 at 10:41

Saturday, Dec 06, 2008 at 10:41

Your description of your previous tray sounds like the rattly, industry std, jigsaw puzzle, aluminium item ...

If you want better ... you will probably have to get an aluminium fabricator to make what you want, using aluminium chequer plate sheet. Will need plenty of floor bracing compared to the jigsaw puzzle system, which is good in terms of inbuilt strength, due to the interlocking extrusion shapes ... but its the corners and headboard that I have found barely satisfactory on them.

The cost of welding all the seams & leaks in the lego set style tray, would probably bring the price up to that of a custom made one anyway.

Lots of good fabricators around ... some of them already making what you want ... one in Mackay Qld and a couple of toolbox/custom tray mobs in Dubbo and Narrabri that I know of ... Dont doubt that there are plenty of others.

AnswerID: 338520

Follow Up By: OzTroopy - Saturday, Dec 06, 2008 at 11:54

Saturday, Dec 06, 2008 at 11:54

If your happy with the build of the kit trays. you could always get the supplier to get all the joins done with a neutral cure silastic during construction, while the aluminium is still clean.

FollowupID: 606064

Follow Up By: Member - Klaus J (NSW) - Sunday, Dec 07, 2008 at 14:50

Sunday, Dec 07, 2008 at 14:50

MAny thanks for reply. I made a note of Dubbo and shall follow this up when there next time.
Greetings - Klaus

FollowupID: 606194

Reply By: ross - Saturday, Dec 06, 2008 at 10:59

Saturday, Dec 06, 2008 at 10:59

I have a Unicorn tray on my landcruiser and it seems to be all one piece.
I have never seen water coming in from underneath except through the odd bolt hole I have drilled for various projects.

Another way around it would be to build a 2nd tray over the top for sleeping on and use the underneath to store items that are not affected by water

AnswerID: 338523

Follow Up By: Member - Klaus J (NSW) - Monday, Dec 08, 2008 at 10:30

Monday, Dec 08, 2008 at 10:30

Thanks for reply Ross,
the one-piece tray is definitely the way to go. I thought about your idea of a second one on top - it would make access to things underneath rather awkward.
Happy Travelling - Klaus
www.oz-greetings.com.au

FollowupID: 606292

Reply By: furph - Saturday, Dec 06, 2008 at 11:37

Saturday, Dec 06, 2008 at 11:37

My mate recently bought a new Rodeo cab/chas.
Had a custom built tray with the floor from a sheet of waterproof "formply" (about 5/8" thick) as used in the concrete industry.
Looks very practical and durable.
furph

AnswerID: 338528