Storing Levels on Truck - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

dayspring · 11-23-2006, 07:53 AM

Over the past 2-3 months I've bought 5 different Stabila levels. As you all know the don't come too cheap. 3 of them are too long to go in the cab or tool box. I'm looking for a good way of storing them (the longer ones) on the truck. I have a PVC pipe (3") mounted to my ladder rack made for one of them but I need a way of locking them. Also I have an extendable one 6' - 10', I think, that won't fit in a 3" pipe. Anyone have a proven way of doing this.

RobertCDF · 11-23-2006, 10:15 AM

I used to have that problem with my Plumb-it extendable level. I was thinking about those weathergaurd boxes I have seen mostly on top of vans around here. They are narrow maybe 12" Wide? I think they are for copper pipe. But they usually have a lock shackle. But then I just bought a trailer and it hangs nicely from the ceiling.

DesPro · 11-23-2006, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dayspring

Over the past 2-3 months I've bought 5 different Stabila levels. As you all know the don't come too cheap. 3 of them are too long to go in the cab or tool box. I'm looking for a good way of storing them (the longer ones) on the truck. I have a PVC pipe (3") mounted to my ladder rack made for one of them but I need a way of locking them. Also I have an extendable one 6' - 10', I think, that won't fit in a 3" pipe. Anyone have a proven way of doing this.

How about this ?
There are also 4 and 6 " lockable conduit cap kits for sch 40 pvc. Heavy duty plastic or metal.

You could also have a local welding shop make something similar to this , made to your specs.
Heavy Duty Aluminum Pipe & Conduit Carrier

Heavy .063-thick, maintenance-free Aluminum
Diamond Plate
Fully enclosed design
Holds cargo up to 10'6" long
Spring-up, lockable rear door
11"W x 6"H x 10'8"L

**ProWallGuy** · 11-23-2006, 10:52 AM

The longest level I use is only 4'. But I keep them locked up in a gun case.

Kinda like this one:

dayspring · 11-23-2006, 11:10 AM

Robert, I wish I could afford a trailer, but truthfully I can't. Not Yet.

Des, I like the conduit carrier, but the PVC lock kit is more to my budget.

ProWallGuy, I have a gun case myself, not a fancy one like you pictured, but it is heavy duty and just sitting in my tool shed, maybe I'll break it out and bolt it to my tool box for my 4' and 32" levels.

Thanks

King of Crown · 11-23-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProWallGuy

The longest level I use is only 4'. But I keep them locked up in a gun case.

Kinda like this one:

you must really like your level.

**ProWallGuy** · 11-23-2006, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King of Crown

you must really like your level.

Who doesn't?

My case isn't near that fancy, but it does lock, keeps them dry, and protects them from bouncing around in the back of the truck.

**Teetorbilt** · 11-23-2006, 09:36 PM

Another reason for having a van. Mine mount over the racks/tool boxes in otherwise unused space.

dayspring · 11-24-2006, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teetorbilt

Another reason for having a van. Mine mount over the racks/tool boxes in otherwise unused space.

I've worked out of a vans, panel trucks and pick-ups. I've found the pick-up to be the most versatile for me. As a matter of fact I own an old Astro that is just sitting in the driveway, nothing wrong with it, mechanically.

If I were an electician, plumber etc, a van would probaly be my choice.

john1066 · 01-19-2008, 06:26 PM

how do you glue the caps onto the pipe will Regular pvc cement work or do you need somthing different

dkillianjr · 01-19-2008, 06:43 PM

Yup regular PVC cement works good.

Dave

leakygoose · 01-19-2008, 09:14 PM

One day while my buddy and I were sitting at red light on a four lane divided road the cars to our left [two left turn lanes ] had the green arrow then goes yellow and this little honda stops and wham ,a van rear ends him and this wooden four foot level goes flying across the intersection. Took us a few seconds to figure out this guy had put this level in a 4'' pvc on the ladder rack and on impact the cap on the front of the pvc didn't slow it down one bit. Be careful were you put things in your truck/van . I personally have had an accident with a van loaded to the gills with tools and not one was close to were it put in . I thank god I had a bulkhead .

A W Smith · 01-19-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leakygoose

One day while my buddy and I were sitting at red light on a four lane divided road the cars to our left [two left turn lanes ] had the green arrow then goes yellow and this little honda stops and wham ,a van rear ends him and this wooden four foot level goes flying across the intersection. Took us a few seconds to figure out this guy had put this level in a 4'' pvc on the ladder rack and on impact the cap on the front of the pvc didn't slow it down one bit. Be careful were you put things in your truck/van . I personally have had an accident with a van loaded to the gills with tools and not one was close to were it put in . I thank god I had a bulkhead .

best to use a brass cleanout plug on those pvc carry all tubes.
Stabila makes 3 plate levels with extendable ends
Stabila type 106T

Kgmz · 01-20-2008, 12:37 AM

Have you thought about building a floor storage unit?

Years ago when I had a extended length 1 ton Chevy van for a work vehicle I built a floor storage system for the van. It was basically a raised floor of about 5" with a 1 1/8" plywood top that was the floor. I cut down some 2x6's to 5" to use as supports and were the dividers for the drawers. There were 3 drawers that would pull out the side door that were used for small parts. And 1 drawer in the back center with 2 doors one each side to store long items.

You could do something like this in a pickup and have 1 or 2 drawers and a door to store the levels if you split the unit in 3. And if you put a lock on the tailgate nobody could pull the drawers out or open the door. Also if someone looked in the bed they probably wouldn't even know they were there.

Just had a thought about this after I posted:

Maybe to keep it dry inside, you could use some Ice and Water shield and wrap the top from side to side over lapping down the sides to a little underneath, or wrap the whole thing all around. And use 2 sheets of 1/2" or 5/8" plywood with the Ice and Water shield in between the sheets on the top.