I can finally pose as flatbedder! (Headache rack)

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by God prefers Diesels, Jan 27, 2022.

  1. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    Before we begin, a word from our sponsors. Have you ever suffered from behind the dash air leakage? You've tried several remedies, and the leakage always comes back at the most inopportune and embarrassing times? Try Brass, and never worry about leakage again.
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    Now to the good stuff!

    You can see here the weld was broken, and the bottom was bowed down from previous chain storage.
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    I put an eye bolt on the bottom, and used a ratchet strap to the chain hangers inside to pull it straight. Then I made a brace. It was just going to be angle iron and the plate with the holes in it, but it turned out I wouldn't be able to get nuts on those bolts, so I had to improvise with the second plate and gussets. It's hard to tell, but I've got 1/8 inch plastic between the steel and the aluminum.
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    Last edited: Jan 27, 2022
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  3. bonder45

    bonder45 Road Train Member

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    Always try to separate aluminum and steel with tape or rubber if you can.
     
  4. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    I'm still not set up to weld aluminum, so I had to resort to my general purpose patch kit. Looks like the pictures attached sideways, so just turn your head.
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    Here we have 3/4" plywood with a mudflap on top where the chains go.
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    I didn't expect the chains and binders to be so crowded in there. Anyone got a better setup, I'd love to see pics!
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    Temporary bungee hangers since I didn't feel like going to town for something better.
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    Some slice and dice, and that's my old catwalk repurposed.
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    That's 5/16" plate, so I'd say the U-bolts are tight enough.
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    Last edited: Jan 27, 2022
  5. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    Here's what it looks like all closed up!
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    And now for some before and after pics.

    Toolbox has been relegated to furniture blankets full time now.
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    Here's the truck!! Man, what a difference. I went ahead and slid my fifth wheel back some to compensate for the load shift.
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    You won't be missed.
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    Last edited: Jan 27, 2022
  6. staceydude

    staceydude Road Train Member

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  7. Kyle G.

    Kyle G. Road Train Member

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    Have fun climbing up there to get stuff out of it :p


    LOL just messing with ya... looks good!
     
  8. Rubber duck kw

    Rubber duck kw Road Train Member

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    Looks good, looks like you've got the same Craigslist/Facebook classified shopping habit of people I know.
     
  9. Bill51

    Bill51 Road Train Member

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    Very impressive work.
    You can disconnect those cab mounted rear work lights now and mount new LED ones on top of your new (to you) box.

    Or, change the bulbs to blue ones and have a blue glow thing going on.
     
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2022
  10. LoneRanger

    LoneRanger Road Train Member

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    You’ll make more building them for truckers than as a trucker.


    Start of a new career?


    Looks good.
     
  11. skallagrime

    skallagrime Road Train Member

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    Better setup would be tear out side shelves on each side and set up binders/chains hangars seperated to each side (in my opinion) though i have boxes set so i can be standing on them while accessing the sides of the rack.

    With plastic as your filler, remove gusset and inspect midsummerish, make sure the plastic hasnt shattered or gotten too much debris behind it, i absolutely understand using what you have, but probably rubber and a coat of paint on the aluminum would be better.
     
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