Rear Mounted Truck Storage

Posted on 29th May 2024  by Tom Green

Read time: 1 minute

THE BRIEF

A client approached Twenty20 Engineering with the need for a custom-designed rear-mounted truck storage solution. The client's objective was to maximise available storage space on the truck while ensuring easy access to carry additional tools they needed.

The specification covered the following items:

• Access to be provided by gas strut controlled ramps
• Ramps to have an incline no steeper than 20 degrees on a flat road
• High and low-level lighting boards
• Weatherproof enclosure for storage of electrical equipment
• Weight no more than 350KG
• A Safe Working Limit (SWL) of 750KG

CHALLENGE

The challenge was to ensure the design was under 350 kg. Twenty20 Engineering decided to design the entire structure using aluminium extrusions and sheets, reducing the overall weight.

To further decrease the weight, weight-saving cutouts were incorporated into strengthening gussets and webs, allowing these components to maintain their original strength while significantly reducing their weight.

While reducing the weight, Twenty20 Engineering needed to be mindful that the overall weight saving did not negatively impact the strength of the design and its ability to cope with SWL during dynamic loading when the truck was in motion.

RESULT

Twenty20 Engineering successfully ensured that the project met the strength and weight requirements by conducting Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations within the modelling software. We delivered the engineering design, FEA analysis and report, 3D CAD model, and fabrication pack to the customer for manufacturing.