Defender
Introduced in 2015 as a direct successor to the ‘Avenger’ model; the Defender is crafted with precision from 5052 H32 Aluminum Mill Plate and 6061-T6 Aluminum Extrusions. The Defender Welding Skid is a robust and versatile solution for welders seeking durability and functionality. This skid offers a versatile, customizable solution for truck beds, allowing effortless placement and removal of welding equipment. The Defender was conceptualized and founded around innovative modular design, capable of simple reconfiguration to fit short bed or long bed trucks. This adaptability is achieved by easily adding or removing the extension cabinet, providing users with unparalleled flexibility.
DEFENDER-SB
The king of short box welding skids
Starting at $14,900.00
Availability
Regularly built & stocked. During busy seasons, may not always be in stock.(Contact us for up-to-date stock levels)
Compatibility
- SB (6′ 6″ Box) Domestic (Ford/Chevy/Dodge) Pick-Up Trucks 2000+
Constraints & Limitations
- No 1/2 Tonnes! (3/4 Tonne Trucks and up)
- Does Not Fit XS Domestic Pick-Ups with a bed length of 5′ 6″
- May not fit Import vehicles (Toyota, Isuzu, Honda, Suzuki, Nissan, etc.); not guaranteed
Estimated Weight
900lbs
Materials Used
- Aluminum 5052-H32 Millplate
- Aluminum 6061-T6 Extrusions
- “Sandtex Black” Powdercoat
- Black Painted Mild Steel
- Express Custom Proprietary “Mono-Groove” Extrusion
Installation Info
- ~$1,000.00 for Installation at Rival Truck in Parksville, B.C.
- ≤ 1 Day; not guaranteed. We ask all clients to be ready to reserve a hotel for worst case scenario. However, 99% of our Defender installs are same-day completion.
DEFENDER-LB-XL
Expanded for long box trucks with a transverse cabinet module
Starting at $16,600.00
Availability
Regularly built & stocked. During busy seasons, may not always be in stock.(Contact us for up-to-date stock levels)
Compatibility
- LB (8′ Box) Domestic (Ford/Chevy/Dodge) Pick-Up Trucks 2000+
Constraints & Limitations
- No 1/2 Tonnes! (3/4 Tonne Trucks and up)
- Does Not Fit XS Domestic Pick-Ups with a bed length of 5′ 6″
- May not fit Import vehicles (Toyota, Isuzu, Honda, Suzuki, Nissan, etc.); not guaranteed
Estimated Weight
1,000lbs
Materials Used
- Aluminum 5052-H32 Millplate
- Aluminum 6061-T6 Extrusions
- “Sandtex Black” Powdercoat
- Black Painted Mild Steel
- Express Custom Proprietary “Mono-Groove” Extrusion
Installation Info
- ~$1,000.00 for Installation at Rival Truck in Parksville, B.C.
- ≤ 1 Day; not guaranteed. We ask all clients to be ready to reserve a hotel for worst case scenario. However, 99% of our Defender installs are same-day completion.
DEFENDER-LB-FX
Expanded for long box trucks with a transverse cabinet module and a 225L Fuel Cell hidden beneath
Starting at $18,600.00
Availability
Regularly built & stocked. During busy seasons, may not always be in stock.(Contact us for up-to-date stock levels)
Compatibility
- LB (8′ Box) Domestic (Ford/Chevy/Dodge) Pick-Up Trucks 2000+
Constraints & Limitations
- No 1/2 Tonnes! (3/4 Tonne Trucks and up)
- Does Not Fit XS Domestic Pick-Ups with a bed length of 5′ 6″
- May not fit Import vehicles (Toyota, Isuzu, Honda, Suzuki, Nissan, etc.); not guaranteed
Estimated Weight
1,100lbs
Materials Used
- Aluminum 5052-H32 Millplate
- Aluminum 6061-T6 Extrusions
- “Sandtex Black” Powdercoat
- Black Painted Mild Steel
- Express Custom Proprietary “Mono-Groove” Extrusion
Installation Info
- ~$1,000.00 for Installation at Rival Truck in Parksville, B.C.
- ≤ 1 Day; not guaranteed. We ask all clients to be ready to reserve a hotel for worst case scenario. However, 99% of our Defender installs are same-day completion.
Full Comparison
Base Configuration
What’s included in the default Defender configuration?
Road Side
- L.E.D. Rope Cabinet Lighting
- 1x 6″ Full-Length Drawer
- 1x Row of 8x Pigeon Holes (Rod Tube Holders) above Drawer
- (-XL and -FX Models Only) An extension cabinet 21″ wide with a divider wall inset 24.00″ from the road side door inward.
Center Cargo Bay
- Integrated Forklift Pockets
- Steel Pounding Pad / Tailgate; chain retention
- 1x-Per-Side (2x Total) Vertical Acetylene Bottle Storage Pillars w/ doors
- 1x-Per-Side (2x total) Engineered lay-down Oxygen Bottle brackets
- Mounting Holes for up to 4x AlumaReels on either Acetylene Pillar (Reels Sold Separately)
- Mounting Holes on top of each Acetylene Pillar for L.E.D. Worklights (Sold Separately)
- x7 Quick-Fist Pipestand Holders on rear of curbside toolbox
- 3000# Rival Steel Equipment Slider (With mounting compatibility for Lincoln/Miller Welding Machines, VMAC Compressors, etc.)
Curb Side
- L.E.D. Rope Cabinet Lighting
- Divider wall inside separating cabinet 50/50
- Dual Beveller Bracket (Unmounted)
- Zip Disc Rail (Unmounted)
- Grinder Rail (Unmounted)
- 4x Steel (Black Painted) Removable Lifting Lugs. These are used situationally along the top box-tube to hoist the Defender up vertically. Due to infrequent usage; the holes are not pre-drilled in the box tube for these ears, as some clients opt to not use them.
- (-XL and -FX Models Only) An extension cabinet 21″ wide with a divider wall inset 56.00″ from the curb side door inward.
A skid you can rely on.
The skid comes with a 2-year parts and labor warranty, a powder-coated Sandtex Black finish, and a steel sub-frame for secure installation. Tailored to fit short bed pick-ups in the base model, it offers dedicated storage for 2x oxygen and 2x acetylene bottles, up to 4x cable/wire reels, and a 20-30lb propane tank. The integrated design also includes a 3000# full extension steel slider for the welding machine, drawers with dividers, beveller mounts, and pipe stand brackets with clamps. Constructed entirely from 100% marine-grade aluminum, the Defender ensures long-term performance and corrosion resistance.
Years of continuous improvement.
Whether in the standard short-bed model or the extended Defender XL/FX models for long bed pickups, this skid promises and delivers on adaptability and reliability. Installation, available at our Parksville, B.C. shop, takes approximately 1 day, utilizing only steel components for the tailgate and sub-frame for a secure fit without compromising the skid’s aluminum composition. Primary advancements over the Avenger are ease-of-access to Acetylene, Modularity to add/remove boxes to resize skid, sub-frame install system, and bigger boxes with a more aesthetically inclined profile.
Our Tailored Approach
We know every welder has unique requirements and tools to get the job done efficiently. We are known for our comprehensive 1-on-1 customer service to ensure you get exactly what you want. Our salespeople are just as excited as you are to get a Defender onto your truck, and will answer any and all of your questions. We are never rushing to get you off the phone, we love to talk about our Defender. We aim to maintain good relationships with all of our clients long after the initial purchase. Not only do you have the best skid in the field with the Defender, you’ve got a fully committed support team in your back pocket too.
The Defender Team
General Manager & RivalTruck Sales (19+ Years)
Cody M.
Cody’s the original pioneer of Rival Truck. His unbelievable knowledge of trucks coupled with a never-quenched-thirst for innovation has largely led Rival to where it stands today. Cody has designed countless products at Rival, and continues to today.
RivalTruck Sales & Administration (2+ Years)
Katy V.
If you phoned RivalTruck and asked to talk Decks or Skids, you would likely be connected with Katy. Have any questions about your Rival build or how to get a new one? Katy’s the girl to talk to!
Director of Marketing, I.T., & Sales (9+ Years)
Brayden C.
Hey there! I built this website. I’m a self proclaimed giga-geek who spends far too much time in front of a computer. I.T., Photography, Videography, Web/Graphic Design; I’m your guy. My vast knowledge of Rival’s products have led me to be a valuable resource for sales related inquiries too.
Shop Foreman (12+ Years)
Trevor P.
Trevor wouldn’t let me take his picture for this website, but that’s okay.
Delivering premium product, everytime.
Express Custom Mfg.
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