Teuck bed to flatbed, would you convert?

[redprospector]

If you go with a flatbed, prepare yourself. If you learn to utilize it, you'll never be happy with another pickup bed again.
One thing that makes a flatbed look better on a SRW is a skirted bed, or putting a lot of thought into it, and putting under body boxes on it.
A buddy of mine calls a flatbed on a SRW a "skinny girl" My trucks are DRW so he calls them "fat girls". :laughing:

 

[treman]

I would vote for the flat bed. If I had kept my duramax I would have eventually put one on as the bed was getting the snot beat out of it hauling wood. Also I just hate loading and unloading material or tools over a bedrail.

 

[RobertN]

Flatbed would be awesome. Worked with a friend for a couple year; he had an '01 F450 with flatbed and dump. It was great!

only thing I do not like about most flatbeds I have seen, is they leave the underside, frame etc exposed and unfinished. They are function over beauty for sure.

And, in my case, I would need a solution for my 5th wheel.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Truck at work I just got done putting cab corners and rocker panels in... boss loves his flatbeds... also has a 13' dually with flip down side boards. Both have 7.3's and 280k and 220k respectivly.

 

[Whitnel]

Re: Truck bed to flatbed, would you convert?

I am still on the hunt for a replacement bed. Called a few places today for pricing. I really like the Gooseneck and Bradford Built brands, but still exploring options. My problem is the beds I like are several states away and shipping is killing me. There is a WIL-RO manufacturer just up the road that I am going to stop by and see what they can do.

Gooseneck brand




Bradford Built




The Hillsboro GII looks good too, close to the Bradford. And I like the rail on the top board that would allow you to tie off stuff easy.



I think I like the gooseneck the best at the moment.

 

[schmism]

If they are several states away, can you just drive over without the bed and pick it up in person?

 

[Whitnel]

I could but getting time off work is hard and cost of fuel drives up the price. The gooseneck brand has a dealer within a few hours but still have to pay the shipping from the factory to their shop. Going to try and get by the local manufacturer and see what they can do.

 

[nc redneck]

I just bought one of these for my 2013 Chevy 3500. Main use is pulling 5th wheel. Preparing for retirement and a trip across the country. Pricey but I could not find anything close that looks good, light weight and gives me ability to carry tools, extra storage. It is all aluminum only adds 700 pounds to truck.

 

[ultrarunner]

Here in California if you install a flatbed on your pickup you have to stop at the scales. You have to have a DOT sticker. What a hassle.

I helped my friend build a flat bed for his F250... he ordered it new without a bed and it came with one anyway.

We pulled the new bed and built a flatbed which is what he needs for quick loading of materials for the job... never got a DOT number and never stopped at a scale and he bought in 2000.

Put the bed up for sale and got $800 for it... thought it would have been worth more but $800 was the best he could do...

Guess he's just been real lucky.

Last year I had my 38 Bantam and 33 Bantam on a rental flatbed tow body... pulled into the scales near Sacramento and was waived off... almost look like I was being scolded...

 

[chad22]

I'd go with a flat bed myself. My bed on truck isn't in the greatest shape. I plan to replace it someday with a flatbed with a steel diamond plate floor and tool boxes on the sides underneath the bed.

Current bed is too small anyway.

Good luck with whatever you decide.