Pickup bed slides

[tburt]

Just completed a project that I have been wanting for a long time. It always frustrated me when I wanted to get camping items we packed in the back of the pickup bed, especially when connected (generator, etc...).

I have seen the commercial bed slides that go for $1000 to $1500, but I couldn't justify the expense, so I built our own. All in, about $150 plus a couple of evening's labor. Base is made out of 8 pieces of 3/4 angle iron, and 3 pieces of 1 1/3 inch flat stock, welded together. Slides are made out of 3/4 plywood and some poplar. The bearings are roller blade bearings which are pretty well built and cheap... Put a couple of stainless steel pins on the front that fit through holes in the front of the box and 2 stainless screws in the back. When needed, the whole assy can come out in 4-5 minutes.

Thought that this might be useful to others that have to pack a lot of "stuff" in the pickup bed, when camping.

[PM15283]

Originally Posted by tburt

Just completed a project that I have been wanting for a long time. It always frustrated me when I wanted to get camping items we packed in the back of the pickup bed, especially when connected (generator, etc...).



I have seen the commercial bed slides that go for $1000 to $1500, but I couldn't justify the expense, so I built our own. All in, about $150 plus a couple of evening's labor. Base is made out of 8 pieces of 3/4 angle iron, and 3 pieces of 1 1/3 inch flat stock, welded together. Slides are made out of 3/4 plywood and some poplar. The bearings are roller blade bearings which are pretty well built and cheap... Put a couple of stainless steel pins on the front that fit through holes in the front of the box and 2 stainless screws in the back. When needed, the whole assy can come out in 4-5 minutes.



Thought that this might be useful to others that have to pack a lot of "stuff" in the pickup bed, when camping.

Nice project. Very well done!

[StarvingHyena]

I have been wanting slides for my PU too and like your project. Can you provide us with more details please? Think I want to incorporate stops / brakes for use when parking on hills.

Good job!

Tom

[Lanark Camper]

Nice work, very practical, makes life easier. I need to look into this further. More picture would be great.
Bob

[Farther]

Why two smaller slides instead of one large one?

[tburt]

Originally Posted by StarvingHyena

I have been wanting slides for my PU too and like your project. Can you provide us with more details please? Think I want to incorporate stops / brakes for use when parking on hills.

Good job!

Tom

I'll get some measurements put together and a couple more photos in a few days. Glad you like it.

[tburt]

Originally Posted by Farther

Why two smaller slides instead of one large one?

I normally carry my generator in the back along with containers of other equipment/supplies. I did't want to have to pull the whole thing out when I needed to use the generator. This allows me to just pull out the slide that I need.

[Randy in Maine]

I am right now making some drawers for the back of my Tundra based on this youtube video. 3/4" shop grade plywood and some 1" steel runners and some roller blade bearings. I want to store some tools and other stuff better in my truck so I can get them out to be used easily.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELP41pDKaqs

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by tburt

Just completed a project that I have been wanting for a long time. It always frustrated me when I wanted to get camping items we packed in the back of the pickup bed, especially when connected (generator, etc...).

I have seen the commercial bed slides that go for $1000 to $1500, but I couldn't justify the expense, so I built our own. All in, about $150 plus a couple of evening's labor. Base is made out of 8 pieces of 3/4 angle iron, and 3 pieces of 1 1/3 inch flat stock, welded together. Slides are made out of 3/4 plywood and some poplar. The bearings are roller blade bearings which are pretty well built and cheap... Put a couple of stainless steel pins on the front that fit through holes in the front of the box and 2 stainless screws in the back. When needed, the whole assy can come out in 4-5 minutes.

Thought that this might be useful to others that have to pack a lot of "stuff" in the pickup bed, when camping.

How much weight will they support when extended? I hate having to crawl into the front of my F250 longbed to arrange stuff, OTOH, any such slider would have to support at least 1000 lbs.