Pickup Systems team up with GSF Slides for safer storage

Pickup Systems are vehicle converters who provide a secure storage solution to empty pickup trucks. As the sole distributors of ‘Avenger Workstyle’ truck tops they are able to provide a high quality and robust access system that gives operators all round access to the vehicle and the equipment inside.

The system was originally designed for the Utility Sector however Pickup Systems soon realised that their system could be adapted to suit the needs of the Fire and Rescue market. 

Pickup Systems had developed a drawer slide with a c-channel roller system- very similar to office filing cabinets. This was effective but not ideal. And they knew they needed a more rugged solution for the Fire Sector.

“We needed a cost effective slide solution with a large full extension and high load capacities,” said John Mcgauley, Director of Pickup Systems, “I spoke to the Hampshire Fire service who recommended GSF Slides.”

The GSF Container Slide is an all purpose 3 beam full extension telescopic slide, ideal for a vast range of applications such as drawers and storage units. The Container slide provided a cost effective solution which was able to withstand a maximum load of 75 kilos even on an extension of 1400mm.

“The container slide was perfect for our Utility Spec Vehicles,” said John, “but for the Fire Vehicle Spec we needed an even more robust slide solution. We used GSF’s RA7 slide. An extremely heavy duty slide that has been tested to carry 90kg even at its full extension of 1700m, this was exactly what the fire service needed.”

GSF’s extensive range of high strength, fully field tested products have enabled Pickup Systems to utilise a small amount of space to its maximum potential. The Container and RA7 Slides have ensured that Pickup Systems can offer a much larger ‘Coffin Drawer’ which can maintain a greater maximum load capacity on a larger extension. 

“GSF have also provided us with a very functional tool mounting system that provided and space saving economic storage solution which we use for brushes and fire beaters they provide easy access in an emergency situation even with a gloved hand.” Explains John, “Pro Mount has been specially designed as a tool storage solution and it is cheaper and easier to use than other tool storage methods, its not even feasible to design or make your own.” 

GSF Slide and Tilt - safe, efficient tool storage

GSF’s innovative Slide and Tilt system provides a safe and efficient storage solution for the defence, blue light and fire and rescue markets. With exceptional smooth movement, high load capacity and rugged low weight components the GSF Slide and Tilt system features slam shut locking mechanisms making this system one of the safest configurations for operators to use.

Operator safety is a key consideration in the design of all GSF products and the Slide and tilt system is no exception. GSF’s design ensures a more controlled opening movement allowing the operator to maintain maximum control over the drawer.

According to Jeremy Binnington, “Swing boards are a very useful and interesting way of storing equipment however they don’t provide the same level of accessibility as slide drawers. There’s no extension on the swing boards and operators need space to open and access the equipment. Our slide and tilt system, however, provides a safe and efficient storage solution designed with the safety of the operator in mind and also ensuring that all tools and equipment are immediately accessible.”

For more information on GSF's Slide and Tilt system please click here

GSF Slides into the States as standard

GSF Slides have recently returned from the Fire Department Instructors’ Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis. With more than 900 manufacturers and suppliers showcasing their latest products and technologies the FDIC is arguably the world’s largest fire show.

It was an exciting year for GSF and as well as having their products demonstrated on a number of vehicles at the show GSF has also ensured that one of the US’s most successful OEM’s are now making GSF products standard across their range.

I asked Alec Don, GSF’s Export Director why GSF was having such a positive impact in the US.

“Our products are fully field tested, featuring high strength components and providing maximum health and safety benefits for the fire operators. These are the qualities that make GSF such an important supplier and as new users become more convinced about the merits our products can offer we know that they will start calling for more and more GSF products.”






GSF’s telescopic slides and slide and tilt systems have already impressed the US markets and Alec has high hopes for the future of Europe.

“One of the things that interested me was that the Pro Mount range of tool mount products is now in almost universal use on US fire trucks. This is down to the obvious quality of the product guaranteed for the entire vehicle life, the fact that it is now a complete range with a solution for safely stowing every type of fire tool, and finally that there is an undoubted benefit for OEMs to standardise on an off-the-shelf range of tool mounting, as opposed to trying to continuously design and fabricate their own mounting solutions. We fully expect Pro Mount to be as important a product in the European market as it is in the US and the UK.”