Now I need hitch options.

davygp38 · Mar 21, 2010

As some of you know, I had just asked about Goose-neck trailer deals, and options. Now that I am way into it, the question on a hitch is coming up. About two months ago, I was rear ended by a another truck. It did some damage, but did not make the truck undrivable. I was going to have a pop up hitch put in,before the wreck, at the cost of $600-$700. Now that I am going to get some money to fix the bed,I am looking in another direction. My truck is a work truck. It is only used for truck stuff, cutting wood, hauling tractor/Quads,etc. I am in the woods all the time, and I can't see fixing the bed, and going in the woods, and denting it up again. My idea now, is to get a steel flatbed put on with a built in goose neck hitch. I have been pricing out flatbeds, and the prices are not to bad. $1200-$1600. The question I have for you is, do you think this is a good idea? Can you you give me some names of a few flatbed Dealers/makers? A one stop dealer installer as close to 12771 would be a home run. Once again thanks for helping.

Runner · Mar 21, 2010

I think it's a great idea. One manufacturer I know of is PJ Trailers. I've never seen their beds in person, but the ones listed on their web site look good.

PJ Trailers - Manufacturers of top quality Flatdecks, Goosenecks, Deckovers, Tilts, Dumps, Carhaulers, Utilities, & Car Dollies

davygp38 · Mar 22, 2010

Hey thanks for the link. I will give them a call tomorrow. There are a couple of dealers relatively close. If they do installs, it will be a slam dunk

radman1 · Mar 22, 2010

For your use, the flatbed is a good idea. They can hold a lot and can take a beating. Be sure it has sides or the ability to add wood/metal sides and tailgate. Otherwise everything will slide off or roll off.
Like trailers, there are probably regional manufactures. I have seen Bradford (kansas), Economy mfg (kansas), CM and Pronghorn units.

The paint on most units is probably marginal and will rust with salt, road gravel etc. Aluminum is nice over the long haul but $$$$.

Diamondpilot · Mar 22, 2010

Check King Kutter. They just bought a company that made beds and expanded there business to beds in addition to implements. My local Rural King now carries them and the price seems quite good.

Chris

davygp38 · Mar 23, 2010

radman1 said:
For your use, the flatbed is a good idea. They can hold a lot and can take a beating. Be sure it has sides or the ability to add wood/metal sides and tailgate. Otherwise everything will slide off or roll off.
Like trailers, there are probably regional manufactures. I have seen Bradford (kansas), Economy mfg (kansas), CM and Pronghorn units.

The paint on most units is probably marginal and will rust with salt, road gravel etc. Aluminum is nice over the long haul but $$$$.

Not worried about the paint. I became a big fan of the Herculiner roll on bed liner kit. I am going to coat as much of the bed as I can without interfering with components. I will check out king Kutter diamond

TaylorL2660 · Mar 23, 2010

You should definately look at PJ, if there flatbeds are built anything like the gooseneck dump trailer i just bought youll have one heck of a product and at a reasonable price too.

davygp38 · Mar 24, 2010

TaylorL2660 said:
You should definitely look at PJ, if there flatbeds are built anything like the goose neck dump trailer i just bought you'll have one heck of a product and at a reasonable price too.

I just called a PJ dealer in Maryland (Cox trailers) He told me that he does not like PJ flat beds, but he has a brand he sells, that is one of the best he has ever seen. The best part is, he has a small lot only 75 miles from me that he delivers to. The price is $1785, but I would have to install myself. If I was to go to his big lot in Maryland, they will install for $600.00. I wrote down the flatbed brand here somewhere, I will post it when I find it.

davygp38 · Mar 28, 2010

I found a guy a mile from my house, who will mount the flatbed on my truck. he owns a Tractor trailer/ truck body repair shop. $600,+ materials, about $100. Of course, now the guy I was going to order the flatbed from won't return my calls. I am not picking on this guy, because most of the people I have called, while looking for flat beds, and trailers, have been very independent. It boggles my mind, that in this "bad" economy, small business men, are so sloppy. I am sure, that they get a lot of calls, and people asking questions, and few sales, but come on thats business.