Aluminum rollback beds ?
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 670
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From: Western, PA
Aluminum rollback beds ?
Looking to replace the bed on my truck due to some rust issues and was looking into an aluminum bed. But several old timers told me to stay away from aluminum beds because they tend to twist and bend easy.
So does anyone have any experience with these?
Should I stay with steal or go to aluminum?
So does anyone have any experience with these?
Should I stay with steal or go to aluminum?
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,530
Likes: 2,833
If you can, steal one.
But if you have to buy,
Steel and aluminum:
http://www.jerr-dan.com/carriers/index.asp
I see a lot of these in aluminum, usually on F450 hauling cars, suvs, my e150...
These folks make 'em too:
http://www.godwingrouponline.com/
The aluminum ones I've seen wiggle and flex, but they seem to hold up.
But if you have to buy,
Steel and aluminum:
http://www.jerr-dan.com/carriers/index.asp
I see a lot of these in aluminum, usually on F450 hauling cars, suvs, my e150...
These folks make 'em too:
http://www.godwingrouponline.com/
The aluminum ones I've seen wiggle and flex, but they seem to hold up.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
From: North NJ
It all depends what they are used for. Standard auto transport they seem to hold up fine. If they are used for recovery operations (especially off angle winching) or heavy vehicle towing (loaded pick-up trucks, etc.) , I would highly reccomend going with a steel bed.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 1
From: sunny fla sometimes windy
If the support structure is good just have new metal put down and get the same
thicness as original or you will just add weight. A couple zinc anodes in the low
spots will help to prevent rust from standing water, not to mention if it is a tilt
bed or dump body parking so the front wheels are higher and the water can run
off will help. Do not leave them things raised it is a giant trap for knuckle heads
and a lawsuit waiting to happen!! Not to mention it can rust your cylinder.
thicness as original or you will just add weight. A couple zinc anodes in the low
spots will help to prevent rust from standing water, not to mention if it is a tilt
bed or dump body parking so the front wheels are higher and the water can run
off will help. Do not leave them things raised it is a giant trap for knuckle heads
and a lawsuit waiting to happen!! Not to mention it can rust your cylinder.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
Steel is much cheaper and much heavier.
A nice aluminum bed of 1/4" plate is very sturdy ... and very expensive.
The bad part of aluminum is you need a very good welder to repair it or to add things onto it vs. almost anyone can weld a steel deck and add hooks and hold downs with an ARC or MIG welder.
For your 1972 flatbed, I would go steel. The reason being is you will not benefit from any weight savings with increased MPG. A nice aluminum flatbed will not add to its resale value. So, going sturdy and cheap is what I would do.
A nice aluminum bed of 1/4" plate is very sturdy ... and very expensive.
The bad part of aluminum is you need a very good welder to repair it or to add things onto it vs. almost anyone can weld a steel deck and add hooks and hold downs with an ARC or MIG welder.
For your 1972 flatbed, I would go steel. The reason being is you will not benefit from any weight savings with increased MPG. A nice aluminum flatbed will not add to its resale value. So, going sturdy and cheap is what I would do.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 26
Heavy use, especially scrapping, can crack aluminum rollback beds. I've seen a few that the rail separated partially from the deck.
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http://tow411.yuku.com/
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