Homemade Slide Out Tray

Topic: Homemade Slide Out Tray (Read 2480 times) previous topic - next topic

Homemade Slide Out Tray

August 22, 2014, 08:29:25 pm

Since buying our coach, I have felt the small cargo bay access hatch next to the entry door was rather worthless. I decided to convert the space to a tool chest storage receptacle. The first step - construction of a pull-out tray - has been completed. I used a pair of heavy duty sliders purchased on eBay - $30 for the pair. They are made by Thomas Regout http://www.thomasregout.com/3/227/product-range.aspx and are SUPER sturdy. They are 30" closed, and 62" fully extended (110% extension). The frame for the tray is 1" x 1" x 0.0625" aluminum angle stock, and the tray bottom is 0.125" aluminum sheet. The finished tray is 13.5" wide by 29" deep. I was able to mount the assembly securely without having to drill through the floor (something I wished to avoid). To test the tray, I stood on it in the fully extended position, and my scrawny 160 pounds caused zero deflection in the sliders or the fixture!

I have a great old classic silver Craftsman tool chest that I inherited from my Dad. It has 10 red ball-bearing drawers, and a top storage compartment with a lid that locks the drawers in place when closed. It will fit perfectly on my new pull-out tray. More photos to follow after I get the tool chest in place.

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #1 – August 22, 2014, 08:38:34 pm

Chuck, sweeet!!!

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #2 – August 22, 2014, 08:38:46 pm

Very nice. Great to take Dad along for the ride. I have some of my Grandfather's tools in my kit.

Roger

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #3 – August 22, 2014, 08:59:35 pm

Nice work Chuck! I have had my eyes open for months now looking for a no wider than 24 inch top toolbox that is about 14 to 14 1/2 inches deep, and up to 26 inches tall to add to the compartment we installed at Xtreme behind the driver side Duallie. As far as I am concerned, that is perfect use of the space you have there next to the door!
Don

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #4 – August 22, 2014, 09:03:54 pm

nice clean job,and an extra high 5 for NO floor holes!

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #5 – August 22, 2014, 09:13:05 pm

Don,

The chest I have is 26" wide, 19" tall, and 12" deep (front to back). The 12" depth worked out great for me, because although the cargo bay opening is 14" wide, there is only 13" between the locking pins for the door latches. That means this tool chest, when centered on the tray, will slide in and out with 1/2" clearance front and back. PERFECT!

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #6 – August 23, 2014, 09:46:56 am

Chuck, NICE

Did you attach at the sides of the L brackets?

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #7 – August 23, 2014, 10:42:41 am

Wow, nice work! Does it already have a way to stay stowed? Or do you have to add something for that?

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #8 – August 23, 2014, 03:51:12 pm

John: I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you are asking. Try your question again, and I will answer best I can.

Jennifer: The slides have some pretty strong spring-loaded "detents" in the full closed and full open position. I think these will be sufficient, but won't really know until I get the tool chest installed and take it for a road test. It would be simple to add a positive mechanical lock in the stowed position, if necessary.

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #9 – August 23, 2014, 04:11:27 pm

Quote from: cajk – August 23, 2014, 03:51:12 pm

Jennifer: The slides have some pretty strong spring-loaded "detents" in the full closed and full open position. I think these will be sufficient, but won't really know until I get the tool chest installed and take it for a road test. It would be simple to add a positive mechanical lock in the stowed position, if necessary.

Good to know, thanks.

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #10 – August 23, 2014, 04:27:41 pm

Great job Chuck and thank you for the photo's of your work.

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #11 – August 23, 2014, 06:53:20 pm

Do you have pins or a lock of some kind to keep it on place while going down the road? Or are you relying in the door to keep it in place. Should have some kind of lock to keep it in place while going down the road.

Roland

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #12 – August 23, 2014, 07:46:46 pm

Roland,

I will see how it "feels" after I get the tool chest loaded. I may indeed need some kind of "travel lock". Should be easy enough to fabricate.

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #13 – August 23, 2014, 08:14:28 pm

I would install some type of locking mechanism as when going around corners there is a lot of force. I once saw someone turn a sharp corner and the slide tray came out spilling the contents all over the street, a real mess.

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #14 – August 23, 2014, 11:33:11 pm

Chuck, a simple pin that drops thru a hole in the very front (behind door) part of the base of slide, so that it will catch against the metal frame for door should the tray decide to try and slide against door.
Would be easy to put a small strong spring under tray on pin with a split pin to hold it tight to under tray so it automatically drops in position without thinking on your part.
JohnH

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #15 – August 24, 2014, 08:51:48 am

OK, OK! Too many experienced voices warning of potential disaster - prudent move is to take the well-meaning advice to heart. I will install a locking device on the tray.

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #16 – August 24, 2014, 10:30:08 pm

@Chuck Very nice job. I have added this to my project list.

see ya
ken

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #17 – August 25, 2014, 06:53:31 am

Very nice job!

It's also very nice that your dad's tools are still being put to a good use. I inherited several from my dad over 28 years ago and they are still in use; I'm confident my son will inherit them some day.

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #18 – August 27, 2014, 06:17:27 pm

Quote from: John Haygarth – August 23, 2014, 11:33:11 pm

Chuck, a simple pin that drops thru a hole in the very front (behind door) part of the base of slide...

I went with John's idea - simple and effective. Even found a cubby hole to store pin when using tray.

Also added non-skid blue rubber tray liner (Cobalt brand, from Lowe's).

Next comes the tool chest!

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #19 – August 27, 2014, 07:56:44 pm

Chuck, you forgot the strip of LED lights along the sides so when you pull it out everyone sees your great job. Plus fix that lower rubber seal at the left end with silicone (black) so there is no gap. Road crap will get through there and ruin your nice job

JohnH

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #20 – August 27, 2014, 08:10:18 pm

Quote from: cajk – August 27, 2014, 06:17:27 pm

I went with John's idea - simple and effective. Even found a cubby hole to store pin when using tray.

That simple pin will?prevent a future catastrophe.

Roland

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #21 – October 15, 2014, 02:21:58 pm

Another Forum member asked me how my tool box worked out on my slider tray. I never got around to posting a final set of photos to close out my thread, so here they are. Once I set the tool box on the tray, I realized I would need to raise it up about 1/4", so the bottom drawer would clear the slide mechanism. I used some hard rubber stick-on pads to do this. With the rubber "feet" installed, the blue non-slip drawer liner became redundant, so I removed it. The rubber feet on the tool box work well with the textured paint on the platform - the box does not move going down the road.

In the photos, note the close, but adequate, clearance between the sides of the box and the compartment door locking pins (1/4" in back, 1/2" in front). Also, when open, the tool box lid JUST clears the support rod on the compartment hatch. The fit could not have been better!

Re: Homemade Slide Out Tray

Reply #22 – October 15, 2014, 03:10:13 pm

Well played!

Affiliate Notice