Mobile off-road workstation

I'm an industrial design student and enjoy wheeling whenever I can. I just got an assignment to make a mobile workstation for any specific target population. I'm targeting those who enjoy off-roading from beginners to avid enthusiasts. The cool part is that I'm required to make a prototype and use it once I'm done. I'm just trying to get ideas for what kind of tools, accessories, and capabilities you all would look for in a mobile work-station to take out on the trails - desert, mountain, forest, mud, etc. I was thinking possibly a hitch insert or a truck box altered to make a working surface, clamps, and some other things. Any input will help. Thanks

 

Sounds like a cool project.
I vote storage space for tools, a work bench area with a decent size vise(5"?) for holding parts. I think some good storage space for maps and other wheeling necessities like D-shackles, extra fluids, a 1st aid kit, etc would be a nice addition too.

 

x2
Perhaps putting some rails on the floor of the bed. Have something that can slide and mount, pop out, extend, etc. Vise. Tools. Bins for spares. Liquids. Solder gun.

 

This may be a given, but the ability to weld broken parts would be key in my book.

 

May I have a copy of your book?

 

Uh oh Macgyver is looking at this thread. All he needs for a mobile work station is a clicky ball point pen with a spring

 

Well for a full on setup you would need a full compliment of hand tools, then I would do a welder/generator, air compressor, large vise...... heck I could go on forever. Just think about the typical service truck. oooo... tire irons for sure and plenty of ether.

 

ha

 

don't forget the hilift jack!

 

Build a custom fit, removable bed box with built in air, tool box, recovery gear storage, etc.

 

I say build a Trailer to mount all this stuff on/in.

 

I like the ideas. I'm leaning more towards a combination of mxpatriot and jdkeller's ideas. I'm thinking a truck box that can lock against the cab and then unlock and roll along the existing rails towards the tailgate... it's pretty unrealistic that someone would work in the bed of their truck. I'm still considering a hitch insert that would go into your trailer hitch and extend beyond the lowered tailgate. both ideas would have a work surface level with the tailgate, storage, clamps/vises, and hopefully an air compressor. I think the welding tools might be a little too much money and time for this short project but maybe.

 

Paper copies are not available ATT, but it is downloadable for Kindle, Nook, and PDF compatible devices.

 

Something similar to this maybe

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/136561-offroading-travel-trailer.html

 

ROFL....

I read "Mobile Off-Road Workstation" and I start thinking about a carputer with a 12" WS monitor in the dash, supercomputer under the rear seats (DC of course), hooked up to a mobile, wireless projector w/ a 60" pop-up screen that pops up from the bed area, with a wireless 5.1 speaker setup for all those offroading trips that I keep seeing here on the forums

 

school project = keep the cost down, right?

i would not gear it for tools and stuff. i'm a civil engineer and we do work in some remote ass places. somedays, a simple desk would be sweet. i like the idea of something mounted on rails, and sliding out past the tailgate. install a waterproof drawer for full sized drawings. for eons, or since there has been worktrucks; men have been gathering around plan-sheets spread out on the hoods.

having a nice desk, with a light table for quick drafting, and simple stuff would be cool. make the chair stab into the hitch reciever or something...when done, you can use it as a shooting bench for long range gopher hunting.

add a canopy, and laptop charging station.