Hardtop Storage Crate

[ba123]

I’ve seen lots of threads on storage crates but really nothing with pics or thoughts about what will work and what won’t…

So, starting my own. I picked up my nice painted hardtop yesterday and I don’t have a ton of room to keep it. I could probably make room and hoist it to the ceiling but I have shelving there and want to keep it. If I find I want to use the top and my opinion changes, then I’ll reconsider but for now, I want a secure safe crate that I can turn upright and roll into it storage unit until o decide I want it.

This is what I have to far: the base.

8’ x 5.5 is the size. 2 sheets of 3/8” plywood for stability/rigidity with 2x4 all the way around and a 2x8 (had one lying around) on the middle for the seam.


I put that lower 2x4 there thinking it was a good spot to bolt the top to but actually had to be the very edge of the top in order to be able to open the liftgate or even have the handle on. So, had to put another in there at the spot I wanted and then put another further up where I wanted. I left those loose, and moved those in place with the top down to be sure, screwed from the sides and marked the holes for drilling.

I used 3/8” x 2.5” lag bolts from the bottom.



Not sure how soon I’ll get a chance, but my next step is 27” 2x4 at each corner and then 8’ on each side and 5’2” at the ends. Will cover with more play and castors will be on the heavy end. Most likely will make a soft additional support at the top rear edge.

I used 2.5” and 1 5/8” construction screws.

For now, I lifted each corner and put a wheel dolly underneath and can roll it around.

To be continued…

 

[56f100bbw]

nice hardtop

 

[ba123]

Thanks to Dave Virga….it looked like hell when I gave it to him.

 

[ba123]

Ok, so maybe people don’t post pics of this cause they start with a plan and then deviate and it’s not ideal and could look better…wonder why I’m thinking that…oh!

Now that I’m done, I have lots of ideas for how it could be better.

Rails on the sides instead of cross braces would be better and allow my liftgate to fully close, but prob give less support. I could have made the bottom side not full length, but I originally intended to fully enclose it and that’s a pain because of the size. You’re using 2 sheets of plywood for top and bottom and then the way I changed the sides won’t allow me to.

I made it so the 2x4s follow along the gutter and have polyethylene foam that I had for something else and a uhaul blanket for protection.

Far from perfect, but def works. Wheels on end might make it tough to stand up so not sure yet about that. Might just put rubber feet. And maybe wheels on the large bottom side.

 

[Speedrdr]

Pretty cool way to store a full cab that provides protection and if the front end is done with some “doors” there’s a heap of options for storage for other seldom used stuff. May have to build one myself, but I just backed under the barn shed and have it hanging from the rafters. Turns out it needs to be up higher as the stakes at the rear are low enough to smash an ear.

Randy

 

[DirtDonk]

Yep, I hear that. Mine has had sliced tennis balls shoved over the anchor stakes, since it first went into the rafters years ago.
A little fuzz in the face beats a sharp poke in the eye any day!