I was doing some research on ladder racks to replace my ATR Weatherguards. I came across this setup on the System One website. As a package you get the rack , side boxes and dbl drawers for around $2,700. I like the contour of the boxes and overall appearance. Plus I think the drawers would be great. I am stuck between a set-up like this and a <!—->truck<!—-> cap. Having never had a cap I guess I have some slight concerns with it. But the main concern is the apperance I have a big trailer and want to keep my truck looking nice. Well any oppions would be great. Or pics of your cap or if you have this System One set-up would be amazing. Thanks alot.
Replies
That System One setup beats the cr^p outta a cap anyday o' the week. Problem with caps is accessibility- once you have it loaded up, it's hard to get all the way to the back to get that one thing, then, to get it out. (That's one reason I have a van!)
Edited 1/17/2009 12:38 pm by kenhill3
>>it's hard to get all the way to the back to get that one thing, then, to get it out
Two words: sliding bed
Steve
View Image
Kind of a trade off for what's most important to you.
That system looks dynamite. It appears that the bed is still open for sheet goods, which is a priority of mine. I'll call for a large delivery when necessary....but 9 times outta 10, I'm picking up the materials I need for the project.
I had a cap on my first truck. It is a HUGE pain in the arse climbing in and out of. The sliding bed drawers take care of that problem....but then the bed is no longer free for sheet goods.
My current set up is the "Roll n Lock" system which allows me to protect tools and materials in incliment weather, yet still be able to climb in and out of the bed when necessary.
Gotta weigh your needs.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
If he's got a trailer for most of the larger stuff that needs to be kept out of the weather, that System one setup looks nice. I like the cap because I can keep my table saw and chop saw in the truck but out of the weather.Like you say, individual needs/habits drive the decisions. I've been thinking of going to a trailer because I carry too much stuff to fit in the truck anymore. Or maybe a sprinter type of van, but I refuse to live without 4WD.Steve
Those drawers look great, but I 'm not sure you could open them with your trailer hooked up
FWIW, I like my fiberglass cap thats contoured & painted to match the truck, I have the side doors in place of windows,have shelves and toolboxes built to access from the outside, i only keep my handtools in the truck
I also pull a 6x12 v-nose, everything except the handtools live in the trailer, for small jobs I can move the tools needed into the pick-up and leave the trailer home. as a result I dont crawl in the cap much, but the protected space is available when needed.-Actually ,mostly what i use the rest of the space in the cap for is collecting debris from the site. also i can still haul 4x8 sheets in the cap on the floor and have them protected from the snow and rain
I like vans too, but need /want 4x4 and the GM 4x4 full size vans are way too expensive
Actually, I,d like to see them build the suburbans in more of a panel truck version (kind of like the old international travelall)
Edited 1/17/2009 7:18 pm ET by LIVEONSAWDUST
Edited 1/17/2009 7:20 pm ET by LIVEONSAWDUST
I have the fitted, color-matched FG cap with wing windows too. I wish I could find a sturdier rack that straddles the cap and still clears the side windows. The tubular one i have is pretty wobbly. I haul an open trailer for debris sometimes, and sometimes just to get a lot of stuff on or off site in one load. I can pull the sliding bed out to the halfway locking detente, but it's a little tight to the trailer when it's out.I think if I added a closed trailer to the setup, I would wind up doing as you do and leave the bed of the truck largely empty except for hauling materials.Steve
oops, sorry, meant to post that to gillison
I do really like that pull out you have in your truck though have thought about gettting one before, I think I saw those for about 600.00???
That particular sliding unit was 800.00 Paid extra for the "contractor grade" one that is supposed be capable of 1200 lbs at full extension. The bearings are doubled up whereas on the cheaper model, it's just single bearings. I've broken the bearings three times now. The doubled-up pair of bearings are mounted in such a way that the track isn't in contact with one of them, so the second one is worthless. I do tend to overload it though.Still, my knees thank me every day for that slider.Steve
View ImageI liked my old setup - camper shell with side windows that open up, and drawers. Miss that old Toyota - it was a real workhorse, for a small truck. Kinda gutless up hills, but man I did a lot of work out of that thing over the years.
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edited to add: man, that system you posted pictures of sure looks sweet!
"...craftsmanship is first & foremost an expression of the human spirit." - P. Korn
bakersfieldremodel.com
Edited 1/17/2009 7:57 pm by Huck