I am in the process of starting a 250 project and I would like some tips on building a flatbed, should I go with steel or aluminum, both are available t me for this bed also can aluminum be powder coated and the truck has 6ft bed frame is it possible to custom make the flatbed for 8 feet?

 

Steel-cheaper, easier to weld but heavy weight wise.
Aluminium- lighter, more $$ and a little more welding skill required and the correct welder than can weld aluminium.

A flat bed is easy and if you build it yourself (have skills and welder) can be a awesome addition. Under bed tool boxes (front and aft of rear axle can be added ,custom headache rack/light bar.

Steel frame with wood planks, steel frame with treadplate, aluminium frame with treated lumber planks. Make some low profile stock racks for the side and a butt board.

Here is what is going on my F250, I took it off a F150 parts truck....the old pic was when I first bought it, way to big and to long a flat bed.

First getting it repainted, new fenders, outer grill shell, cab lights and slicking up the interior. Then maybe sale it, who knows???

If shopping for one remember most are built for rear duel wheel trucks.

 

its hard to beat a bradford built flatbed. built right and built in the usa with usa steel. i have one and it does everything i need it to do. i have had 2 round bales of grass on the back. for the cost i cant see spending the time or money to build one.

 

Bet that Bradford bed was like $1000 +, aluminium ones are like 3000 and a Deweze are way up there too.

 

yep it was over a 1000.

 

You might be a redneck if you are rock'n a flat bed.....I'm good with that.

Love the brown truck with the rear winch.

 

I miss my flatbed, but I'll build another some day.

 

Hey Rich off hand do you know the thickness of your treadplate on your flatbed? I need to modify my fb ,remove the skin and i would like to go with treadplate.

 

i went with an 8x6 sheet of .125, the sheet weighs like 300 lbs

 

thanks impalaslayer,my bed skin(just sheet steel) is I beleive 14g,I have to cut it down to 7x8-3,,,maybe i will just leave it as is and grind it down and primer and paint,,,,,I was thinkin of removing it but what a pita thanks

 

I would guess 3/16....but not 1/8th".....

 

flatbeds sux id rather have a real bed. just looks cooler

 

And so does your one tailgate sided opinion......lol

 

I have always liked the cream colored bradford pickup,I beleive that young man lives in Wyoming or montana,it was his Grandfathers.I have always owned trucks since i was a young teenager,,but for a working truck you can not beat a fb,,,,naturally you love looking at factory bed with that nice looking Dent or Bump,,,but loading a load of wood or coal or stone its night and day,its part of survival 1/8 inch 3/16 hum,,,,,,thats why I wanted to remove my skin 14g is light although awesome under carriage

 

with enough under support i see no reason to go thicker then .125, your just adding weight