How do you carry/store stuff in your crew?

Conman · Post by **Conman** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:02 pm

Simple question but I know I will get plenty of answers. I use to store stuff behind my rear seat but when I added the bass tube, nothing fits there anymore. So my jumper cables is in the foot well of the rear set along with a few sets of straps but when I put people back there it's the whole move the stuff to the bed. I have a bed cover so I don't want a toolbox(plus I need the space to carry my bike). The Bed cover keeps water out but it's not moisture proof so it get's wet in there so I can't just leave stuff there cause it will probably rust. Just wondering how to carry and store things.

Thanks,
Con

MyWhiteKnight · Post by **MyWhiteKnight** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:56 pm

My Leer cap keeps all my stuff in the bed clean and dry. It locks (which also locks the tailgate), has dark tinted, locking windows, sliding side and cab windows with side screens, and even has a clothes hanging drop-down rod. The tail-gate opening was big enough to slide in an electric range on its side, to get it home. The Leer cap was ordered, shipped, and installed new for $800. It has been on the truck since Aug 02, and I have been very pleased with it. It was made to give the crew cab a suv look, even painted Summit White, strangers do a double-take to figure it out. The only drawbacks are: it adds weight, and that I had to get a trailer to haul the go kart for the boys. But the trailer is also nice for trips to the dump, and after Hurricane Isabel I used it to bring home all the materials I needed to replace my entire roof. I couldn't imagine putting 8 foot plywood in the bed. Has anyone done this?

MyWhiteKnight · Post by **MyWhiteKnight** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 10:05 pm

Just had an added suggestion: You could use an old cooler to store ya stuff in the bed, under the cover. Keep a clean old towel in it, so if ya need to move it to the back seat, to haul your bike, you can set it on the towel.

Conman · Post by **Conman** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 7:36 am

MyWhiteKnight wrote:Just had an added suggestion: You could use an old cooler to store ya stuff in the bed, under the cover. Keep a clean old towel in it, so if ya need to move it to the back seat, to haul your bike, you can set it on the towel.

Old cooler is a great idea as I do have an old one that I can use. As for a cap, I have an SUV already so I don't really need another one, plus carrying motorcycles, I would have to take the cap off. Trailer is an option but tolls and restrictions downstate don't make it easy to trailer. Cooler should be good and I'll see how it does with moisture.

Thanks,
Con

Conman · Post by **Conman** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 12:42 pm

As for your 8 foot sheets question, get one of those hitch hand extenders

I bought one and used it to move someone. It's amazing how much you can hold when you add this. It sticks out probably three feet from a lowered tailgate so it's probably like 10feet from the back of the bed to the bar. So this way, you should be able to carry an 8foot sheet flat on the bed floor. Or you can raise the bar(it's adjustable) and use the second tier platform loading(2x4 post in the bed liner indents) so it does not stick out to far.

This is the one I bought:
http://www.extendatruck.com/
JCWhitney
[pic]http://www.oldinc.com/rhet2bscan.jpg[/pic]

Another style has better ground clearance but can't be used as a roof rack hand though:
http://www.off-road.com/atv/HitchHand.htm

Made the loong url a link-HJ

MyWhiteKnight · Post by **MyWhiteKnight** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 1:12 pm

The Hitch Hand suggestion is a good one, thanx. I wonder if they make one that would work with bumper hitch!?

Conman · Post by **Conman** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 2:25 pm

MyWhiteKnight wrote:The Hitch Hand suggestion is a good one, thanx. I wonder if they make one that would work with bumper hitch!?

I've seen a bike mount that uses the bumper ball mount but probably is a weak link for something like this. This is where a receiver hitch is nice. Another thing that might work is those bumper mounted hitch plates. It's a 3" receiver but instead of bolting to the frame, it bolts under the bumper using the ball hitch location. But if your going through that work, just get a frame mounted hitch receiver then you have the availability to tow up to the limit with the correct setup. I have a hitch mounted basket and it's great for carrying extra stuff so I can keep the bed cover on.

Con

MyWhiteKnight · Post by **MyWhiteKnight** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 6:21 pm

Thanx for the info, it may come in handy if I ever need to haul something, beyond what I have now. For the moment though the 6x10 utility trailer will carry whatever I put on it. One day I may decide to get that camper I've been thinking about, and my current bumper hitch won't do the trick. We have to change things to meet our needs, and our needs seem to change often. Good luck with the cooler.

ExMoparMan · Post by **ExMoparMan** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 6:58 am

I went and bought the largest roof top carrier I could fit in the bed and a mounting kit for it, then ran a steel cable though the mounts on the bottom so I could pad lock it to the bed. It work's perfect when we travel we can put everything in it and keep the truck cab roomy. Its easy to remove the carrier when you get to where you are going. We traveled out of state for Christmas with all the wife's and daughters luggage and presents and still had room for more.

MyWhiteKnight · Post by **MyWhiteKnight** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 8:50 pm

I have a correction to make. I stated the Leer cap was $800. It was $899.00+$40.45 tax=$939.45 A couple of guys have asked me about the cap via pm, so I will provide some more info here. It is the Leer 100R, and can be seen here, my cap is white, but the same otherwise: http://www.leer.com/gmgallery/sonomacrewcab100r.jpg It was purchased new and installed in August 2002 at: Southern Auto Sales, 2909 Oaklawn Blvd, Hopewell, Va 23860, (804) 458-7976. The clothes/coat rack was free with a coupon I printed from Leer's front web page. Coupon's change, and can be seen at: http://www.leer.com/

I shopped around before buying, and the Leer website provided me with a list of suppliers in my area. Just click on Distributor Finder and put in your zip code. I called the guys at Southern Auto Sales and told them what I wanted. They quoted me the price on the phone, ordered it, and about a week or so later they called me to make an appointment to install it. It still looks as good as the day I got it. No rattles, no leaks. Sliding windows are a little stiff, but that is probably why they don't leak.

Conman · Post by **Conman** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 9:08 pm

Hi,
I was at target and found a small Rubermaid plastic tub that looks like a small bed tool box. It's called the "action packer" 10gal. size. It's got bungy cord holes in the top so it can be bungied down when I have the cover open. It's cleared out my back seat but we will see how the stuff holds up in the rear. It's got a padlock location to lock the top but don't think it will be much of a deterent since the tub is made out of plastic.

Looks just like this one but I got the 10gal. version for 12bucks at target:
REI

Cheers,
Con

Made the , ah well you know... -HJ