RTV Bed Side boards

D

DigOrange

Member
Contemplating building side boards for the bed of my RTV. Did a search and didn't see anyone talking much about this. Has anyone built them? Steel, wood? Have pictures?
 
I saw someone had a nice setup but I can't find the pics or description anywhere.

If/as I recall, he got some bolt on stake pockets that would go on a trailer and bolted to the sides of his box. He then ran 2x4's for the verticals out of the pockets and then either 1x6" or 5/4 decking as the horizontals. It was then stained. It looked very nice.

I've comptemplated doing the same and may still do it. My procrastination is mainly for lack of need but I'm also resisting for safety reasons. When hauling in the cargo box, it's often firewood. If I had higher sides, I'd be tempted to put more in there. Well, without extentions, I can fill it to its weight capacity. Due to my hills and uneven trails, it already starts to feel tippy. I wouldn't want to make it too top heavy.
 
I have noticed the same thing when hauling wood and would need to make sure I don't overload. I was thinking more about when I haul trash to the dumpster, tall trash cans like to fall over the side. I would like to come up with a design that I can include some hooks so I can strap down those garbage cans. I guess I could drive slow but thats just not possible after a couple Mountain Dews.
 
A couple O-Clamps with eye bolts and a bungie cord may help with the garbage cans.
 
[quote user="DigOrange"]Contemplating building side boards for the bed of my RTV. Did a search and didn't see anyone talking much about this. Has anyone built them? Steel, wood? Have pictures?[/quote]</P>


I have made set of side boards out of 1x12 boards and 1" square tubing ( from Lowes) I am going to try to post a couple of pictures of them.</P>


Grapeman</P>
 
Only one picture came through I'll try the other one. I'm retired and you will notice I haven't had time to paint them yet.
 
I can back the idle screw completely out and it does not change what I consider to be a high idle. I think mine idles at about 1,000 rpm! Too bad the machines have a speedometer instead of a tachometer!
 
Yes the 1" steel tubing fits in the kubota stake pockets.The side boards and front boards are one piece and can easily lifted out by two people.The tail gate is held in placebetween 1" square aluminum and the back stake. It just slides in.The tail gate is stored next to the front board held in by 1" square aluminum bolted to side boards.If your interested I can post a picture of front corner and board measurements.
 
I've got wood side boards. I used aluminum 1x1 tube to fit into the stake pockets and used metal self-drill screws to attach the two. It was really easy and cheap. I will be adding an extra board at the back to keep debris from falling on the engine. Other things to improve the side boards would include: not using rough sawn lumber (splinters in arms), use of steel 1" tube instead of aluminum (it may bind less installing and removing side boards) and painting the boards. I could see using steel but the added cost/benefit would be minimal. Although diamond plate might look good.
 
Sorry if a repeat but still learning how to post. I tried several bedliners and finally designed my own. Basic bed is 3/4ply,well painted, and topped with 1" X 6" synthetic decking (choicedek). No splinters and looks good. The bed has survived 3 years of hard use and The wide flat uppers allow you to carry anything that will span them. Works well with wide bulky items but don't forget and drive between trees!!! Used boat cleats for handy tie downs and replaced flimsy gate "wires" with real chains. A full diamond plate gate cover riveted on stiffens the thin steel gate considerably. Made too many mods to list but hopefully the pic will tell it all.
 
Look like you know what you want out of your RTV.....</P>


Bet you own some cats >>>> See the plastic litter box's in the bed. They are the best carry all containers with lids a person can find. I use them all the time on the farm !!!!!</P>


Great Looking " WORKING MACHINE " you have there >>>>>>>>></P>


Keep the pictures coming , it will help folks here use them as guides for up-grading theirRTV'S </P>


</P>
 
vintovka </P>


What part of the country are you from, and how many hours do you have on your RTV ?</P>
 
Northern Kalifornia near tahoe, only have about 300 hours as its primarily used for wood cutting. Posted other pics under "working rtv" I originally chose the rtv as my hands are about shot and needed power steering and other mechanical "advantages" to live out here. FYI cats are my kids but they do work well and the price is right.
 
vintovka </P>


</P>


[:D]</P>


Being your unit is three years old, by the pictures, looks like you take quality care of your RTV </P>
 
Vintovka,

The picture provides a couple teasers on other mods it appears you made.

I see conduit heading up the ROPS to the roof. Does that power the rear worklight only or do you have more up there?

Diamond plate is visible on part of the cab floor. Did you do the whole thing or just parts?
 
The entire cab floor is diamond plate. The conduit is the split type and carries power up to the switch box and back down to the front and rear floods, sprayer outlet, 3rd stop light, voltmeter,air temp gauge, GPS, under hood light, 110 volt inverter and another half dozen things i forgot. It's what happens when you turn an old engineer loose with toys. The ejection seat button keeps kids and unruly passengers in line. The switch bar is from an old police cruiser
 
[quote user="vintovka"]The entire cab floor is diamond plate. The conduit is the split type and carries power up to the switch box and back down to the front and rear floods, sprayer outlet, 3rd stop light, voltmeter,air temp gauge, GPS, under hood light, 110 volt inverter and another half dozen things i forgot. It's what happens when you turn an old engineer loose with toys. The ejection seat button keeps kids and unruly passengers in line. The switch bar is from an old police cruiser[/quote]
Sounds like you also have added a couple things...
Did you replace your battery with a deep-cycle marine battery to handle all this?
 
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