Aluminum Flatbed - New Oztray Truck Tray

[OZTRAY-JOHN]

Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking in the background following this excellent and distracting forum for some time now. I don't mean to advertise on here but I'd like to get some feedback on a new design of Truck Tray we're working on.

I've attached some images of what the new tray will look like. I can supply many more detailed images if people are interested.

Essentially it will be an aluminum flatbed with drop sides made from all custom extrusions. This is designed to be a far more functional and longer lasting replacment for the pick up box. Its not designed as an all out work horse flat deck that you can hit with an excavator without fear of damage.

Some of the stand out features of the new model are:

Pockets extruded into the corners. These allows the corner posts and headboard to be extremely rigid yet removable. They will also provide an excellent locating point for aftermarket bodies and campers.

A completely flat floor. All rivets are counter sunk and the eight in-deck tie downs are set under the floor making up fitting tool boxes or other bodies easy.

A complete range of accessories including:

In front of axle under floor tool boxes (these will fit 5 x 5 gallon fuel cans each)
Behind axle under floor tool boxes
Removable rear rack
7.5 cu ft Underfloor roll out tool drawer rated to carry 450lbs
3 door canopy

Dimensions for the tray will be 81" x 110". The sides will be 16" high but can be custom ordered higher or lower in 4" increments.

Please, if any one has any input it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

John

[slooowr6]

How much is the weight of the tray? Will there be a smaller version to fit the mini trucks, like Tacoma with 6' bed?

[detailbarn]

How much is the weight of the tray? Will there be a smaller version to fit the mini trucks, like Tacoma with 6' bed?


I'd be interested in one for the 2008 6' Tacoma bed any plans on a smaller unit. what is your target cost?

[OZTRAY-JOHN]

Yes we hope to have them for "mini" trucks like the Tacoma. It all depends on the feedback.
Target weight for a Tacoma size Truck Tray is 150kg (330lbs). This includes headboard, sides, lights and all the stuff nescessary for mounting it to the truck. I would estimate that the bare floor installed will be around 100kg.

Would you guys want to have it the same width as the cab or wider? Longer than the regular box or shorter?

Cheers,

[detailbarn]

For me I would want same width as cab and stock length - maybe 6.5' long.



Yes we hope to have them for "mini" trucks like the Tacoma. It all depends on the feedback.
Target weight for a Tacoma size Truck Tray is 150kg (330lbs). This includes headboard, sides, lights and all the stuff nescessary for mounting it to the truck. I would estimate that the bare floor installed will be around 100kg.

Would you guys want to have it the same width as the cab or wider? Longer than the regular box or shorter?

Cheers,

[slooowr6]

I would prefer same as cab width as well. Stock length is good. What's your target price?

[OZTRAY-JOHN]

Thanks for the input guys.
Ideally the tray would be 6'6" or so. This will make it just long enough to overhang the rear bumper for those that want to leave it on.
Price target is $3200. How does that sound? I know its more than other makers but they will be quite different.
Would you want anodizing? or prefer power coating? or both?

[slooowr6]

Would you let us know what the difference between Ute and Oztray? What is included for $3200? Is it just the flat bed or with the pick up box?

[boblynch]

I'm very interested in the product.

Just to clarify, are the 81" and 110" dimensions the width and length? Also, what is the height of the overhead rack shown? What is the target weight of this full size tray (with and without the options listed)?

Are the overhead rack, mesh headboard, and corner pockets removable to allow for a slide-on campers (that may be wider than the tray)?

Is the 7.5 cu ft underfloor roll out drawer located between the frame rails? What are the dimensions of the drawer? Do the dimensions assume a style-side bed replacement or a standard chassis cab?

Would the proposed 3 door canopy use the corner pockets? Do you have any pics or additional details on the canopy?

Bob

[Kilroy]

I agree width of flat bed should be same as truck. Length should be the same as the regular box.

How much higher floor height is the bed compared to standard.

[OZTRAY-JOHN]

Bob,

Yes the tray will be 81" wide x 110" long. The headboard pipe will be 39.5" above the deck. The target weight for the tray when it is in standard pick up mode is 200kg 440lbs. With the sides removed it will be around 140kg 308lbs. When fully optioned with four tool boxes, underfloor drawer, rear rack and over head rack, as well as sides it will weigh 310kg 680lbs.

Yes, the overhead rack is removable. The headboard is removable in two sections it will be possible to remove the pipe and mesh but leave the bulkhead, or both pieces can be removed leaving a completely flat floor. The rear corner posts have two bolts each holding them in place. The corner pockets are not removable as they form the corner of the tray. They are flush with the floor though.

Yes the drawer sits between the frame rails of the tray. The frame rails of the tray are at 34". The dimensions of the drawer are 750mm(29.5") x 135mm(5.3") x 2100mm(82.5"). It makes no real difference if the tray is being installed on a cab chassis or a style side replacement. If on a cab chassis the frame rails will be mounted directly to the frame of the truck. Other wise there are cross members that span the factory mounting holes of the truck which the tray frame rails will bolt to.

Yes the canopy will use the corner pockets to locate and secure it. I'm undecided whether to go with a fiberglass canopy or an aluminum frame and skin canopy. Perhaps even some sort of honeycomb composite material? Any suggestions?

Cheers.

[OZTRAY-JOHN]

I agree width of flat bed should be same as truck. Length should be the same as the regular box.

How much higher floor height is the bed compared to standard.

In that case I will make the tray 1900m wide x 2050mm long.

The main difference between this new model and other manufacturers is the modular design. It is designed so that all accessories are able to be bolted on with no drilling, cutting or welding.

For $3200 you get a tray floor with removable bulkhead and headboard made from 2 1/2" sched 40 pipe, 400mm high drop sides and tailgate, L.E.D lighting, 8 in-deck tie downs and all mounting hardware and instructions. We also hope for this to be an MSRP so in many cases shipping will be included.

Would you want the tray to be anodized or powder coated?

[BiG BoB]

Where did the name Oztray come from? The product seems to be North American, not Australian

Sean

[lowenbrau]

Anodized.

I'm interested in the full size version. Any chance of reinforcing the fold down sides so they can serve double duty as quad ramps?

[OZTRAY-JOHN]

Anodized.

I'm interested in the full size version. Any chance of reinforcing the fold down sides so they can serve double duty as quad ramps?

Yes, we plan on having a kit available with traction lugs that can be riveted or screwed to the inner face of the sides. It will also include tabs for sitting the sides on the edge of the tray for loading.

There will also be a snowmobile/atv ramp that fits in the same tracks as the drawer runs in. Unfortunately it won't be possible to have both.

[lowenbrau]

Nice!

[OZTRAY-JOHN]

I'm from Australia and grew up using Aussie style aluminium ute trays.

I started the company here after visiting many times and seeing the lack of aluminum drop side bodies. The product I started with was imported from Australia. The new design will be built in the USA.

[haven]

John,

Send me photos and I'll post them to this thread.

Chip Haven

[dieselcruiserhead]

John very cool, something I would very much consider personally especially if it were aluminum... I think there is a required sponsorship of the site to advertise here including in threads. Contact Scott Brady (expeditionswest) just to make sure. It costs some $$ to run forums so they ask that you support and I believe its cheap... Hope it helps, Andre

[dieselcruiserhead]

I googles it for photod and what a product, very cool!

Wow! I found these excellent galleries that my guess is you created :)
http://flickr.com/photos/19975431@N00/

[OZTRAY-JOHN]

Andre, Thanks for the info. I've been hoping someone would give me a heads up. Cheers! I'd be happy to sponsor the site as I seem to spend a scary amount of time here reading through the treasure trove of information! I'll make sure to get in contact with Scott.

[dieselcruiserhead]

No worries at all... Again you have me scratching myself about a possible Oz-Tray (or building one myself but probably out of steel) on my '91 extra cab as I really like the design/concept... I might build mine a little narrower to have more of a narrow 4WD approach but I really really like the concept and have been trying to figure out trucdk bed ideas for some time either using the stock bed or something new. As you probably know this era Toyota has a retarded design where the rear of the frame comes out just in front of a body panel below the tailgate, so it is a major PITA to even build a rear bumper... I like the idea of starting completely fresh anyway..

[OutbacKamper]

John;
I will chime in with some of my ideas here. You have heard some of this, from me, before, but perhaps some of the others members will give their opinions too.

1) "Would you want the tray to be anodized or powder coated?"
The tray itself should be mill finish aluminum. Any anodized, painted or powder coated finish will quickly wear off. Aluminum is soft and none of these finishes will last in high wear areas like the top and edges of the flat bed, and on top of racks. I think a spray on bed liner such as Rhino-Liner or Line-X may be worth investigating though. The surfaces that don't get much wear, such as the exterior of storage boxes, doors and exterior of fold down side and rear panels would look best powder coated to match the vehicle.

2) "I'm undecided whether to go with a fiberglass canopy or an aluminum frame and skin canopy. Perhaps even some sort of honeycomb composite material? Any suggestions?"
I think that since you will need a variety of sizes in small quatites that molded fiberglass would not make economic sense. Aluminum frame and skin is very labour intensive but works well when custom shapes and sizes are required. Composite panels would be the easiest to customize because all the corner extrusions, edges and trim would be the same for each canopy you just cut the panels to different sizes. The last 2 pictures show a canopy on a similar tray, is this the concept you had in mind?

3) Overall Design/Market Share:
I think to appeal to the largest number of customers you need to move away from the "industrial" look and do everything you can to make the product blend in as seamlessly as possible with the truck. The first attached photo shows the typical "industrial" look, with exposed suspension, exhaust and clutter. Most of this can be accomplished by installing storage boxes and illiminating exposed rails, braces etc. The choice of hinges, handles and hardware is also very important. The second photo shows a less industrial look tray. The third pic shows a great example of an intergrated tray design, it is hard to tell where the camper ends and were the tray begins.

Cheers
Mark

on edit: pics added

[BiG BoB]

Haha Australia's taking over the world :)

It looks like a good product, best of luck!

Sean

[theMec]

Haha Australia's taking over the world :)


Not so fast, buddy! :-)
There's a number of Aluminum bed makers in the states. There's only one that I've found that combines alum bed w/ custom toppers. I've talked w/ these guys and they were cost effective for a bed / topper combo. They do custom work. Here's the link to Alum-Line (http://www.alumline.com/). Here's an example of a contractor "topper" on a bed.

[OZTRAY-JOHN]

John;
I will chime in with some of my ideas here. You have heard some of this, from me, before, but perhaps some of the others members will give their opinions too.

1) "Would you want the tray to be anodized or powder coated?"
The tray itself should be mill finish aluminum. Any anodized, painted or powder coated finish will quickly wear off. Aluminum is soft and none of these finishes will last in high wear areas like the top and edges of the flat bed, and on top of racks. I think a spray on bed liner such as Rhino-Liner or Line-X may be worth investigating though. The surfaces that don't get much wear, such as the exterior of storage boxes, doors and exterior of fold down side and rear panels would look best powder coated to match the vehicle.

2) "I'm undecided whether to go with a fiberglass canopy or an aluminum frame and skin canopy. Perhaps even some sort of honeycomb composite material? Any suggestions?"
I think that since you will need a variety of sizes in small quatites that molded fiberglass would not make economic sense. Aluminum frame and skin is very labour intensive but works well when custom shapes and sizes are required. Composite panels would be the easiest to customize because all the corner extrusions, edges and trim would be the same for each canopy you just cut the panels to different sizes. The last 2 pictures show a canopy on a similar tray, is this the concept you had in mind?


3) Overall Design/Market Share:
I think to appeal to the largest number of customers you need to move away from the "industrial" look and do everything you can to make the product blend in as seamlessly as possible with the truck. The first attached photo shows the typical "industrial" look, with exposed suspension, exhaust and clutter. Most of this can be accomplished by installing storage boxes and illiminating exposed rails, braces etc. The choice of hinges, handles and hardware is also very important. The second photo shows a less industrial look tray. The third pic shows a great example of an intergrated tray design, it is hard to tell where the camper ends and were the tray begins.

Cheers
Mark


on edit: Sorry I still can't seem to attach pictures, I will try again later



1) I agree totally that these finishes won't last on high wear areas. However I think either will last on the outer surfaces, the non working surfaces. If anodized I would anodize everything except the floor. The insides of the sides would become scratched over time but they will be textured anyway so it won't be very noticable. Without anodizing the aluminum will become pitted from the salt spray. Not something I ever would have thought of back in Australia! Several customers of the present design have rhino lined the floor so this is certainly an option. Powder coating the exterior is something that can be done on custom orders.

2)I agree. I also like the idea of keeping it all aluminum.

3)This is difficult. I personally quite like the no nonsense look of aluminum bodies. To me versatility and useability make it look good. I realise though that I'm a minority in my thinking. It's a fine balance between making it look "good" and making it look "tough". The Oztray is to be both recreational and industrial.

I look forward to seing the pictures when you get a chance to get them up.

[OZTRAY-JOHN]

Not so fast, buddy! :-)
There's a number of Aluminum bed makers in the states. There's only one that I've found that combines alum bed w/ custom toppers. I've talked w/ these guys and they were cost effective for a bed / topper combo. They do custom work. Here's the link to Alum-Line (http://www.alumline.com/). Here's an example of a contractor "topper" on a bed.

Alumline look they've got some great products. We're not the only ones thinking along these lines that's for sure. The more of this kind of body available the better as far as I'm concerned. From their website it doesn't look like the toppers are intended to be taken off the deck easliy.

[CLynn85]

Any updates?

I'm definitely considering replacing the plastic bed on my truck with something a little more utilitarian like a ute-bed/oz-tray.

[boblynch]

John, how is development of the unit in your original post coming along?

[The Adam Blaster]

. Here's the link to Alum-Line (http://www.alumline.com/).

I didn't notice any prices on their website???

[The Adam Blaster]

John,

It's kind of funny I found this thread now, because about a month ago, here in Edmonton, I saw a truck fitted with one of your beds (with a little Oztray sticker :D) and I looked up your website.
I think I made mention of it here on this site as well.

I like the stripped down look of the bare-bones bed as well, but I might be in the minority along with you. ;)

I REALLY like the idea behind making it totally modular, building how you like it, adding on pieces to fit the needs of the job, or the trip.

I would like to see specs on the load carrying capacity of the upper supports. I'm thinking along the lines of putting a roof-top-tent up there (150-200 pounds) a couple of adults and 2-3 little ones also.
Thinking to safely hold the weight (and the bouncing munchkins) you'd want around 1000 pounds safe working capacity.
Wondering if you will be testing the weight limits to ensure any weight capacities are accurate? :D

[Kilroy]

I've talked to Alum-Line and their prices are compeditive with Ute and Oz. Nice product too.


I didn't notice any prices on their website???

[18seeds]

I need info on the snowmobile application please

[jefe4x4]

John,
I pulled this thread out of the archives. What's up now? Are you in production, or has the world-wide business downturn turned down your ambitions?
I'm in the throws of doing an Expo type buildup on my Dodge. I've asked about an aluminum tray for my '01 Dodge in the 2nd gen forum with no result. The problem with Lite Craft, Pro Tech, and Alum-line is that they have no 3 point or diamond, 4 point attachment for undulating roads (or no roads). Then again, do we really need to stiffen the platform under the camper?
Over on Open Roads/RV.net/truck camper section of the forum, Mark has some cad drawings but no product as of yet. Here's hoping you will respond.
The starting place:
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z240/jefe4x4/DSCN1570.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z240/jefe4x4/DSCN1462.jpg
regards, as always, jefe

[lowenbrau]

I see John advertising a cool custom camper on kijiji (http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-pickup-trucks-2000-Toyota-Land-Cruiser-W0QQAdIdZ204898373#). The ad photos have a web address of alloyworks.com.au but that site seems to be dead. The Oztray website (page) is still pretty stale. I wish John success. I think there is a real market in North America for those types of products but he could do with a more significant web presence, I think.


<EDIT>
Whoops, I got John Caleta (http://alloyworks.weebly.com/) mixed up with John Kinkaid (http://www.oztray.com/).
<EDIT>

http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/kj/100513/970r8/731371_20.jpeg

[The Adam Blaster]

I still REALLY like the idea of the Oz-tray, and hopefully they update their website and keep manufacturing and selling these things.
Around here (northern Alberta) a heck of a lot of guys have a sort of tray that is positioned up high, just above the bed rails.
They look similar to this product:
http://www.discountramps.com/diamondback-hd-atv-hauler.htm

As you can see, the ATV or Skidoos will be very high compared to the factory center of gravity of the truck. These things are EVERYWHERE around here, and they sell for 2-3000+ and I don't understand why a person would go that route instead of getting an Australian style tray bed... :clueless:

Anyways, I'm still hoping that John can keep selling these things, and selling in big numbers!

[lowenbrau]

I noticed this tray today at home Depot on a 2011 SuperDuty

Made in Blue Earth MN by Tafco