Setup for standard short wide truck suggestions

[GunLocators]

Ok I bought a Miller TrailBlazer 275 last week and mounted it to the bed center position with controlls facing back of truck. I have a tool box moun ted behind the welder to hold all my leads, extension cord tools ect. I really want to avoid transporting Oxy Ace tanks if possible. I just do welding for my self and a few odd jobs. Of I needed Oxy Ace I could certainly load the tanks and go. I am already left with very limited bed space. I have a Hypertherm Powermax 600 and consider getting another plasma probably the Miller 625 extreme for its compact size for the truck since the trail blazer can run it off its 220v side. However that leads to another issue. A compressor capable of 90-120 psi. I would think a decent tank size would be required. I run my shop plasma off a Craftsman 150 psi 30gal without issues. What short if buying a truck with a full size bed would you recommend. I am nor sure if the trailblazer 275 can handle both a 110v Compressor and a Plasma at the same time If I went engine driven whats the smallest size I could get to suit my needs. Brands , models suggestions, options encouraged..

[DesertRider33]

I use a Bobcat 250 (10 KW) and a Hypertherm PM380 and a very old compressor with 30-gal tank, 2-stage 2-cyl 175-psi pump and 10hp Kohler gas engine. That combination works excellent. The compressor makes plenty of air, both volume and pressure, and the Bobcat makes plenty of power.

I have the Bobcat mounted lengthwise in the bed of the utility body, over a bit to one side, and the compressor also mounted lengthwise alongside the welder. There is also room for a jobsite storage box that I have mounted there too. This is all in a 4'x8' space between utility side boxes. I could do the same in a 4'x6' space without the jobsite box.

If you go to the welding rigs pictures topic, in the projects and pictures section of the forum, you can see lots of welding truck pics, mine included, each one completely different and each one suited to the particular task it needs to do. Mine is set up for general welding repair and for on-site installation of things I fabricate in the shop. Others' are set up for pipelining, heavy equipment repair, travelling mechanics and all sorts of other business specialties.

[scubaholic]

Flatbed

[DesertRider33]

I agree, flatbeds are sooo versatile for truck setup and storage space, with side boxes. If I didn't have the utility body, I'd have a flatbed with side boxes.