Anyone seen a fridge and microwave shelving unit that replaces the passenger seat?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Farmerbob1, Dec 14, 2019.

  1. Farmerbob1

    Farmerbob1 Road Train Member

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    I've been looking around for quite a while and haven't seen anything. Seems like a pretty straightforward fabrication project to remove the seat part of a truck seat, and mount a small cabinet on the pedestal. Big enough for a small fridge and a microwave. Small enough to allow a driver to see past it and move around it to use the passenger side door.

    Put a nice, solid strap or two in place to hold the fridge and microwave in the shelving unit, and it would even be fairly safe in a wreck - no flying appliances.

    Set it up so the fridge faces the driver's seat, and the microwave faces forward.

    If nobody has seen one before, anyone want to have a shot at building one?
     
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  3. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Man that is a great idea. Could be a simple weekend project with some 2x4 and plywood .
     
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  4. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Seen a few like that. Just have to make some brackets to bolt to the floor.
    Saw a exercise bike mounted there a couple weeks ago.
     
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  5. skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

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    I would just strap them both down to the floor using the bolts left behind from the passengers seat.

    Worst case scenario and you roll over or whatever.... You want to make sure that stuff isn't going to come over and plow into you. I would just strap them both to the floor and forget about a cabinet/shelf.
     
  6. Farmerbob1

    Farmerbob1 Road Train Member

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    I'd prefer metal, so it will stand up to being bumped, and is less likely to be torn apart in a rollover. I'd rather not get brained by a microwave if I ever do get in a serious wreck.

    I'd also prefer the unit be mounted on a seat pedestal so I can easily put the seat in storage, and swap it back when I sell the truck.

    Also, I would be able to add document storage sheaves to the side of the cabinet as well. Not sure what the things are actually called. The almost-vertical paper storage things that you mount to walls in offices.
     
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  7. PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

    I took out the passenger seat and placed my mini fridge there. There are no straps on mine, but I do have some stuff in front of it including a kitchen trash can. I have never seen the fridge tilt even in hard braking events. That being said, it’s not a bad idea to strap it down as it can fall on top of you in a rollover.

    I’ve seen this topic discussed in a couple threads. Just recently somebody asked a question on how to close the airline supplying air to the passenger seat.
     
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  8. PE_T

    PE_T Road Train Member

    I used to carry a folding bike years ago. I got rid of it because I rarely used it. I was too busy with work as a leased-on owner operator. Maybe company drivers can make good use of it.
     
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  9. Farmerbob1

    Farmerbob1 Road Train Member

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    Eh, closing air lines is easy if you aren't trying for perfectly neat and tidy. A wooden dowel and a small hose clamp will do it pretty much every time.
     
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  10. magoo68

    magoo68 Road Train Member

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    Why close it just add a air blower to blow dust out of truck in dirty conditions
     
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  11. Ridlingdj

    Ridlingdj Medium Load Member

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    If I was to make one I would build it in 2 parts so you can turn it 180 degrees and repin it so you can load your fridge from the outside and spin it back around to face the driver seat but I have to keep my passenger seat or my dog will want to be in my lap all day
     
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