Summary
Core Fabrication built a custom service deck for an oilfield operator running a RAM 5500. The goals were more storage, faster access and safer transport in real field conditions. Core Fabrication’s team supplied drawings up front and obtained approval before proceeding. The finished deck includes an integrated gooseneck ball, a rear bumper pull hitch, a transverse cabinet with extruded aluminum doors, divided storage with wrench hangers and drawer sets with shelving. High grade steel and aluminum were used throughout.
RAM 5500 Custom Service Deck for Oilfield Work
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Our team routinely designs and fabricates custom truck decks for oilfield operators. We completed the following project for an oilfield client who needed a service deck package for their RAM 5500.
The client’s priority was to upgrade their storage using an efficient layout that would perform reliability in real world conditions. Here’s how we worked with them from the beginning to provide a superior solution to prefabricated alternatives.
Client Background and Industry
Our client was running a standard RAM 5500 chassis before they approached us. They needed a service deck that would allow their vehicle to function as a mobile base of operations.
Our team listened closely to their needs and determined the following project priorities:
- Storage: The final build would meaningfully expand the truck’s capacity to carry tools and equipment used in the operator’s daily work.
- Access: The placement of cabinets and toolboxes would enhance the operator’s jobsite efficiency instead of creating confusion or adding steps to key processes.
- Transport Safety: The service deck would be securely welded and designed to keep the operator’s equipment in place while the vehicle traveled to and from the oilfield.
Key Challenges
The operator also had several requirements our team had to factor into the planning process. These included:
- Specific Features: The client requested that the finished build include an upgraded transverse toolbox.
- Logistical Constraints: The timeline was tight. Concept to delivery was targeted at 4 to 5 weeks with a four week delivery outcome.
- Compliance Considerations: The build needed to comply with DOT standards in Alberta.
We would also ensure that the final truck build was CMVSS certified and given the National Safety Mark. This is standard practice for every truck deck project we undertake.
Collaboration and Review Process
Our first step was to supply the client with drafts and specifications for the entire project. You can see two of these images below:
Then we reviewed these drawings closely with the client before fabrication began.
We never start cutting, forming or welding without each client’s explicit approval. This approach reduces risk and helps the client control costs. It also helps our team deliver final results that consistently exceed expectations.
Custom Design and Fabrication Approach
Truck decks require specific features to perform optimally in oilfield environments. Here is how we designed and fabricated the final project to achieve this goal:
Adding an Integrated Gooseneck Ball
A gooseneck ball is a heavy-duty hitching point located in the center of the truck deck. It is usually placed directly over or slightly ahead of the rear axle.
This kind of hitching point is used for pulling large or heavy oil field trailers that have a long “neck” reaching over the tailgate. These are called gooseneck trailers.
We fabricated this feature directly into the client’s truck body to make the towing point as strong as possible.
Rear Bumper Pull Hitch
This is a standard receiver that is usually shaped like a square tube. This kind of hitch is normally located at the very back of the truck frame and underneath the rear of the deck. It is used for:
- Smaller utility trailers
- Light equipment trailers
- Accessories like cargo racks
We integrated this feature directly into the deck. This ensured that the client’s truck would always have this towing capacity if required.
Transverse Cabinet With Extruded Aluminum Doors
Cabinets provide secure storage for oilfield tools and equipment. Our team opted to design a transverse cabinet that extended horizontally across the vehicle’s entire width.
This improved the cabinet’s accessibility from either side of the vehicle. It also provided the storage space the client needed without consuming the working surface of the deck.
We used extruded aluminum to improve the strength of the cabinet’s doors. Extruded aluminum is produced by forcing the material through a die to improve structural integrity.
Divided Cabinet With Wrench Hangers
We opted to divide the sections inside each cabinet instead of leaving large open spaces. Creating these fixed locations for the operator’s tools and equipment made them less vulnerable to potential damage during transport.
We also used wrench hangers to keep key tools separate and improve their visibility. This made them easier for the operator to access.
Aluminum Drawer Sets and Shelving
These compartments were designed into the truck deck’s cabinets to provide storage locations for smaller parts and supplies.
Incorporating drawer sets allowed the operator to prevent these items from piling up or getting buried under larger items while the truck was in motion.
Building shelves into the cabinets also allowed the operator to streamline setup and packdown by cleanly separating items at different levels.
Material Selection for Alberta Conditions
All components of this deck were built using high grade steel and aluminum selected to withstand Alberta weather.
The extruded aluminum used for the cabinet doors resists warping and sagging due to its internal structure. It is also highly resistant to corrosion.
Using high grade steel in other parts of the deck also made it more suitable for Alberta’s cold winter temperatures and frequent hailstorms. This kind of steel is extremely durable and less vulnerable to rust than lower quality options.
Outcome and Results
The final product met operational, compliance and storage needs. The client was satisfied and continues to trust Core Fabrication with service bodies for their RAM and Ford trucks.
This case study is a clear example of what happens when a truck deck is designed for real work with specific goals in mind. It is also a testament to the value of effective communication and proper material selection on every fabrication project.
Fabricating a custom deck for your truck is a job for experienced professionals. Request a quote from Core Fabrication today and find out how we can deliver results you can trust.