Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 01-17-2022, 10:28 AM   #1
Site Team
 
BroncoHauler's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,177
Interesting service body option

Well as I go thru the pros and cons of my future rig, I keep going back and forth between an ex-ambo, a service body van, and maybe even a cargo box on a cutaway. I have decided that whatever rig I get, I want a side access door.

I had read that Workport offers a service body rig with a side access door, but I could never find a picture of one, so I emailed them and they sent a pic of the side access door on a Chevy. I think it holds some promise.


Herb

__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
BroncoHauler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2022, 09:41 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
larrie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Oregon Ciry Oregon
Posts: 2,843
That looks like a nice setup. Love the side doors.
__________________
Larrie
Read detailed trip reports, see photos and videos on my travel blog, luinil.com.
Current van: 2002 Ford E350 extended body camper with Colorado Camper Van pop top and Agile Offroad 4WD conversion.
larrie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2022, 07:03 AM   #3
JWA
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Posts: 3,765
Send a message via Yahoo to JWA
Any thoughts what the rear door option you might choose?

How deep are the side boxes?
JWA is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2022, 07:42 AM   #4
Site Team
 
BroncoHauler's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,177
Quote:
Originally Posted by JWA View Post
Any thoughts what the rear door option you might choose?

How deep are the side boxes?
Rear doors would be swing open doors, not a roll-up.

Are for side boxes, I definitely need to look closer as to how deep they are. It's a mixed blessing having the side storage boxes, they are great for storing gear, but they do intrude on interior space.

With Rockport, I do see they have an option to delete compartments on either the roadside or curbside, so I could always do that on one side of the rig, but at what point do I then just go with a similar cargo box on a cutaway...?


Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
BroncoHauler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2022, 08:15 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
86Scotty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,222
Those are sweet!
86Scotty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2022, 09:27 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
WhitH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 1,126
Very promising!
__________________
2015 Chevy Express 3500 Duramax
w/ Quigley 4x4 & Agile Fox shocks
Sold 2005 E350 Chateau
Quigley with Agile RIP, 6.0 PSD
WhitH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2022, 09:56 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
larrie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Oregon Ciry Oregon
Posts: 2,843
The one shown in the photo is a dually. Is that OK for the way you plan on using it?
__________________
Larrie
Read detailed trip reports, see photos and videos on my travel blog, luinil.com.
Current van: 2002 Ford E350 extended body camper with Colorado Camper Van pop top and Agile Offroad 4WD conversion.
larrie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2022, 10:30 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
carringb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
The Ford van behind the Chevy is not a dually, so they do build them on the SRW chassis.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
carringb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2022, 11:03 AM   #9
Site Team
 
BroncoHauler's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,177
From Workport, the E350/E450 based service body vans are offered as:

Single rear wheel: 10' or 12'
Dual rear wheel: 10', 12', 14' and 16'


Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
BroncoHauler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2022, 07:00 AM   #10
JWA
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Posts: 3,765
Send a message via Yahoo to JWA
Quote:
Originally Posted by BroncoHauler View Post
Rear doors would be swing open doors, not a roll-up.

Are for side boxes, I definitely need to look closer as to how deep they are. It's a mixed blessing having the side storage boxes, they are great for storing gear, but they do intrude on interior space.

With Rockport, I do see they have an option to delete compartments on either the roadside or curbside, so I could always do that on one side of the rig, but at what point do I then just go with a similar cargo box on a cutaway...?


Herb
As I'm in the windshield biz most others along with myself use the typical E-Series or similar van be it GM or Dodge/Chrysler. A friend uses a service body, absolutely swears the side boxes don't interfere with his transporting his glass, has skads of room for tools, supplies etc AND the rear door height is more than 46" giving him that benefit of increased clearance of the roof. With windshields growing in height these days that's becoming more and more important. (Just one reason the Ford Transit and Dodge ProMaster are finding their way into my industry)

He doesn't miss the room the side boxes take up as there is storage above them inside the body. Most of our glass racks are no more than 48" wide so they fit without issue. He does admit having reduced space cuts down on collecting clutter making for a cleaner truck.

He does park his truck at his house so "security" is good due its out-of-sight storage. He's not yet been hit by thieves as with his signage on the truck tends to attract them to steal tools etc.

With your current rig and perhaps dimensional drawings of the side box "intrusion" into what would be your living space that may help decide how many you'd take or eliminate if buying brand new. Even better would be seeing the box of your choice in person and getting a feel for the spatial experience.

As far as a roll-up door I'd want hinged swinging doors in the rear too however if you'd add the curb-side entry door with steps that would be perfect location IMHO. Those remove the need for a swinging door and the necessary clearance for open and close operation. Add in the right-hinged doors can and do bang into the passenger side front doors if they're left open.

Just an idea----interesting pre-build to be sure!
JWA is online now   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Sportsmobile Registry

Betsy

Dave&Di

Sportsmobile

Churley
Add your Sportsmobile
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:56 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.