I've been contemplating taking my bed off and making/buying a flatbed for the back of it. I like the fact that i could forklift a pallet on it from any side and not worry about dents and scratches on the sides.

I need some input however. Has anyone taken on the endeavor of making one on this site? What am I looking at in terms of cost? Would i be better off picking up a used one? I like the design of the ones on the Home Depot Rental trucks with the fold down sides and I must have a hitch receiver.

Thanks guys!

 

cost more but a flat bed that dumps too would be cooler

 

be aware all flat beds are not made the same. the cheap beds use smaller C channel under the decks and wider spacing 24' vs 16". you will see evidence of this by the sag between "joists" on the cheap flat beds.

 

If building your own you can customize it as u like. But I would stop and think abou what how and where you use it. My step dad built a flat bed for his old dodge and integrated full size oxy/acetelyne cutting rig into the bed as well as a sliding lock system making it so you only had two bins with keys but still being able to lock the whole bed up. Plus his has 2 roll out drawers over the wheel wells and in the back center it has a long rectangular bin for shovels and stuff like that. It took him about 3months to design and build it and make if functional before he ever got it on the truck... He has had the bed on the truck for 5 yrs now and it works good

 

I'd build my own as Lubbock said and steel isn't that expensive.

 

if you make one on your own, make sure you put lights everywhere you need them.

it's a hastle to have to go back and "retrofit" a brand new bed with lights because you forgot one or two.

 

Very good point. I know two people in the Equine industry that customized their beds to fit their needs. One is a local vet that I use and the other is a ferrier. Plan out ahead of time what all you could conceivable use the bed for and than see if you can plan a design for what will work and won't and what your willing to give up and what you have to keep.

Dump bed is a very good option(I could use that for loose shavings for sure). There are some companies that sell the lift pump for a dump bed for you to use rather or not your bed is a flat bed or not. I have always contemplated it, but never really could go the distance on it. If you have access to farm catalogs or equipment catalogs it should have those products in there.

 

I recommend looking on eBay and Craigslist for a potential steal on a flat bed. You may find a high-end unit for less $$$ than you can build one yourself.

 

I made a flatbed for my '99 crew cab last year. It came out pretty good, after a lot of planning. I opted for one of the cheap Chinese dump kits - it works fine for the amount of use I give it. Probably didn't really need it, but it's handy. The dump kit cost about $1200, plus about $900 for the bed materials. Since the whole bed is only bolted at two points the frame for it is much heavier than a stationary bed would need to be. If it didn't dump, I would have used much lighter material. That would have cut the cost by about $300 and the weight would have been reduced as well.
A few factors that I took into consideration:
Tie Downs - I put hooks down both sides and across the headache rack. 42 tie points!
I made the bed longer than normal. With the crew cab an 8 foot flatbed looked odd. I lengthed ours to 9 1/2 feet and it helps balance it out somewhat.
I wanted the bed as low as possible so that I could still carry the camper. No problem there.
I built taillight cans and mounted them under the rear end so that they don't get smashed loading or backing.
The stock frame mounted trailer hitch still works fine.
I used trex type of decking. A bit more expensive than wood, but it wears well, no maintenance needed, and it is plenty strong at only 5/4" thick.
I have some pictures that can be sent, but being a computer idiot I couldn't figure out how to load them here. Sorry.
Mark

 

Hey Mark,

You need at least 25 posts before you can start posting pics on the forum. You can save your pics on any third party website (Photobucket, etc) and then post them to an FTE thread or to your gallery.

Welcome to FTE!

 

Check this listing on Craigslist for $875.00:

FLAT BED BODY

 

Here's one in NJ for $650.00 brand new:

8' x 9' brand new flat bed

 

Another in NJ (dually) for $1,050 obo:

Flat Bed Truck body, 9' X 7' 8" Steel

 

Now I'm getting some idea's... a flare-side Superuty, with a teakwood bed floor........It has possibilities....

Im trying to get in contact with a family friend with a shop to get a quote on a "good deal" I think a wood deck would be good for what I would use it for, and some side boxes...and maybe a aux fuel tank...

 

Just remember if you decide to purchase one instead of building one that there is a difference in a bed built for a cab chassis truck and one built for a pickup. Chassis width...