Building a Ute Tray - help please.

**VladTepes** · 15th July 2005, 04:54 PM

I want to replace the tray on my Defender 110 Ute.

The current one is alloy, and fairly buggered.

I was thinking of doing a new one with a steel frame and probably steel hinged and removable sides (like any tray you see) , and perhaps a chequer-plate alloy floor.

I want a removable canopy, that follows the profile of the cab (i.e. same height and angled sides so that it doesn't catch passing trees :wink: ) with hopefully enough strength to support a roof ti op tent in case required in future.

Also would like:
- Tool boxes in front of rear wheel arches
- Water tank, or space under the tray for one.

A main issue is sorting out where I can carry two spare wheels, so that they are accessible but restrict rear vision as little as possible.

I'd appreciate any comments, advice, and even photographs to assist me in designing and building my new tray.

Thank You.

(Yes I know I've posted a similar thread before but I'm chasing more detail again. Some fool on this forum offered to help me with the welding :wink: [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] ).

**Ace** · 16th July 2005, 07:12 PM

You can buy do it yourself trailer plans, can you get DIY ute tray plans? What about an engineering firm, they might be able to supply you with a set of plans or some ideas. Not real sure vlad, might be best to rip the old one off and use it as a template, measure up the fixing points and then add on from there, you may even find the skeleton from the old one might be useable, just cut all the old crap off you dont want and go from there. Matt

**abaddonxi** · 16th July 2005, 09:27 PM

I know nothing about this, but just a few thoughts.

Get the size of the canopy first, since I'm guessing you won't be making that yourself.

Galvanizing the tray? And if you are, how are you going to get it to the galvanizers?

Engineers certificate? In NSW you have to put it over a weighbridge and alter your rego now being a non-standard model.

Of course there are dozens of truck body builders out there who probably handle all of this stuff every day, but that would be too easy.

Cheers
Simon

**DaveS3** · 17th July 2005, 12:25 AM

Build it as low as possible.
Keep tool boxes / tools / spares (tyres and parts) nice and low.

Look at building wheel arches to maintain a large and flat floor space.

I like the idea about building to a pre manufactured canopy dimensions as it would probably save time and $$$...

Also try to keep the weight down as the tray become very heavy quite quickly.

Complete some preliminary designs and post them for some constructive critisism [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]
Take your time and think everythin through properly!
Dave.

**abaddonxi** · 17th July 2005, 09:41 AM

Weight and performance.

The tray on my 130 comes in at over 400kg.

I dream of lovely light aluminium trays.

Of course on my tray some idiot has also welded a bead of 2x1 inch thick wall all around the top.

Why?

No idea.

Simon

**VladTepes** · 11th August 2005, 09:35 AM

bumpity bump :!:

**kaistuff** · 11th August 2005, 11:20 AM

try to fit the 2 spares under the tray in between the rails on a simple slide out tray

**VladTepes** · 11th August 2005, 02:02 PM

Great idea - just have to figure out what maximum width of wheel and rim I'm likely to ever have - what space i should allow.

**kaistuff** · 11th August 2005, 03:05 PM

Originally posted by VladTepes
Great idea - just have to figure out what maximum width of wheel and rim I'm likely to ever have - what space i should allow.

also gives you plenty of height over the tyers at the rear so no wheel arches in the tray [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

**460cixy** · 3rd September 2008, 08:36 PM

mmmm bit of a thread mine here but any how. how did you go with this? my tray is rooted and im looking at makeing another

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