Flat bed?
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 13
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Flat bed?
I'd like to know how to build a flat bed, not sure were to start or whats a good structure, but i'm a sucker for wood beds. on it right now i have a good cross section and some ply wood for the bed layout, works - kind of all right, i'd like some idea's to make it more legit. I plan to use it for a lot of work. 
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
crash course: get some 3 inch channel for the full length of the bed, use thinner channel or even some angle as stringers (go from the frame out width wise) at this point it will look similar to a pound sign #(only straighter). build a perimeter out of angle, with the corner of the angle to the bottom and outside. to the outside of this you can weld stake pockets and crash strips.
I would recommend either 2x4's or 2x6's for strength, just remember to stagger them for more strength
I would recommend either 2x4's or 2x6's for strength, just remember to stagger them for more strength
Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,310
Likes: 9
From: E.Lincoln County, NC
This is a flat bed I ran on for a deal. It's going on my 94.
Here it's just sitting on a parts truck to keep it off the ground. I'll have to shorten it a bit since I ended up with a SWB F150.
Put a wanted ad on Craigslist. I did and had this one offered to me within a week, for $250. Cannot build one for that!
Here it's just sitting on a parts truck to keep it off the ground. I'll have to shorten it a bit since I ended up with a SWB F150.
Put a wanted ad on Craigslist. I did and had this one offered to me within a week, for $250. Cannot build one for that!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,791
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From: Edmonton AB, Canada
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,575
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From: Broken Arrow , OK
Be sure to have the centers of what would be the "joists or runners" close enough to support the weight properly. I had a flatbed with a steel deck that wasnt built well enough and it caused the deck to get waves in it from the weight distribution. I know you said you wanted a wood deck , but , I think it would be equally important to have the weight distributed right. Also make a nice gusset system for the headache rack. The headache rack is important when hauling extra long stock of whatever type and it needs to be stout. One of the features of the flatbed I have now has lights(stop,turn,tail) in the headache rack. I am going to add some bright lights for reverse lights soon.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,080
Likes: 5
From: Backwoods of Snowflake AZ
I have two flatbeds one on a 1984 Ford F250 parts truck that is going on our 1989 F350 crew cab. We purchased it for $400 the whole truck. I go with pure metal ones because thier isn't any rottting or such. I am going to put a headache rack on it that other one is coming off.
And this one we traded an original bed for it. Technically we paid $250 because we bought the bed then traded for a flatbed. This one is going on our 1989 Ford F250. I had merely posted a Craigslist wanted ad and this came up.
Trav
And this one we traded an original bed for it. Technically we paid $250 because we bought the bed then traded for a flatbed. This one is going on our 1989 Ford F250. I had merely posted a Craigslist wanted ad and this came up.
Trav
Postmaster
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,310
Likes: 9
From: E.Lincoln County, NC
yeah, the one on the '84 I guess. Looks like it can be a nice bed. Can't see enough of the other one to tell much about it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,080
Likes: 5
From: Backwoods of Snowflake AZ
Here is a better shot of it also it is off the flatbed trailer now. By the way I am going to put spary in bedliner on both of them the one on the 84 is off now and it is going on our 1989 F350 crew cab check out my build thread in my sig. Also the the other one is going on our 1989 Ford F250 4x4.
Trav
Trav
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,080
Likes: 5
From: Backwoods of Snowflake AZ
both have gooseneck hitch holes. I am going to only use the one that is going on the 1989 F350. The other one is going on a 1989 F250 it is going to have a whole bunch of tools like welder generator, torches, boxes for small tools, etc.
Trav
Trav