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01-17-2022, 10:28 AM
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#1
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,177
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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.
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01-17-2022, 09:41 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Oregon Ciry Oregon
Posts: 2,843
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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.
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01-18-2022, 07:03 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Posts: 3,765
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Any thoughts what the rear door option you might choose?
How deep are the side boxes?
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01-18-2022, 07:42 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,177
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JWA
Any thoughts what the rear door option you might choose?
How deep are the side boxes?
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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.
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01-18-2022, 08:15 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,222
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Those are sweet!
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01-18-2022, 09:27 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 1,126
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Very promising!
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2015 Chevy Express 3500 Duramax
w/ Quigley 4x4 & Agile Fox shocks
Sold 2005 E350 Chateau
Quigley with Agile RIP, 6.0 PSD
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01-18-2022, 09:56 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Oregon Ciry Oregon
Posts: 2,843
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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.
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01-19-2022, 10:30 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
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The Ford van behind the Chevy is not a dually, so they do build them on the SRW chassis.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
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01-19-2022, 11:03 AM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,177
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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.
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01-20-2022, 07:00 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Posts: 3,765
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BroncoHauler
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
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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!
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