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Building a flat bed for a truck?

Greg

Greg

Make RME Rockcrawling Again!
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
So my 2002 Chevy Silverado 2500's stock bed is pretty beat up, it had been used hard, the tailgate is bent, the floor is pulling away from the sides, etc. It could be saved or just ran as-is, but I've been digging the look of flat beds lately. I've been thinking about the idea of building a flatbed, probably out of C channel and possibly diamond plate for the floor (even though I dislike diamond plate, at least aluminumn diamond plate.)

I can get an aluminum flatbed out of Idaho for around $1400... - https://www.idahotrailersales.com/aluminum-pickup-flatbeds/aluma-aluminum-flatbeds

Aluma-90106.jpg


Aluminum would be light compared to a steel bed and for this truck, light is good. I don't plan on a 5th wheel, just bumper-pull towing with the factory hitch. I'm not sure what the materials would cost to build my own steel bed, but I bet it would be close to $800-1000. The thing I don't like about the aluminum is that I'd like to mount steel tool boxes and I'm a bit worried about the steel and aluminum interacting. My planned use for the truck is mostly towing, but I'd eventually like to have a truck camper as well. I'm not sure my home-built steel flatbed would look as good as that aluminum flatbed.

Any thoughts?
 
T

Toad

Well-Known Member
Location
Millville(logan)
Cant really help you with your delima. Hazelton is not far away from were I grew up and I am up that way fairly often and might be able to help with some transport.
 
Greg

Greg

Make RME Rockcrawling Again!
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
Toad said:
Cant really help you with your delima. Hazelton is not far away from were I grew up and I am up that way fairly often and might be able to help with some transport.
Click to expand...

I have a sister in ID and could use getting the flatbed as an excuse to see her. Thanks for the offer, though!
 
BlueWolfFab

BlueWolfFab

Running Behind
Location
Eagle Mountain
My brother had an aluminum flatbed custom built so that it was as low of height as possible. Had the front half-rack and bed surface rhino-lined. His had aluminum boxes built into it though, but as far as the steel boxes, I would just spread out the mounting load as well as possible (long braces etc) and maybe use a rubber, poly or even a plastic isolator and I don't think you would have any issues.

At $1,400 it sounds like a great deal really. I mean it's a pretty basic and bare bed, but with material and labor, it sounds like a great price.

IMG_6809.jpg


Have you had a flatbed before? They definitely have a lot of negatives compared to a regular bed, but also a lot of positives.
 
jeeper

jeeper

Currently without Jeep
Location
So Jo, Ut
I love me a flatbed!

$1400 is a killer deal. I'd just buy it. For my current truck, I bought a steel bed. After pricing metal, powder coating, lights, etc. It is almost as cheep to buy one.. and then it looks 2000x's better than I can do.. and I didn't have to spend 100 hours making it.

flatbed2.jpgflatbed.jpg
 
Greg

Greg

Make RME Rockcrawling Again!
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
BlueWolfFab said:
My brother had an aluminum flatbed custom built so that it was as low of height as possible. Had the front half-rack and bed surface rhino-lined. His had aluminum boxes built into it though, but as far as the steel boxes, I would just spread out the mounting load as well as possible (long braces etc) and maybe use a rubber, poly or even a plastic isolator and I don't think you would have any issues.

At $1,400 it sounds like a great deal really. I mean it's a pretty basic and bare bed, but with material and labor, it sounds like a great price.

View attachment 112878


Have you had a flatbed before? They definitely have a lot of negatives compared to a regular bed, but also a lot of positives.
Click to expand...

I've not had a flatbed before, I figure if I can get/build one with removable short sides and tie-down points it would still retain the functionality of a factory bed.

I dig your brothers bed, that looks great! I think coating the bed with Monstaliner would be wise, help protect it and add something sticky so stuff isn't sliding around. I like the idea of aluminum, but if I want to add/change anything I can't weld it in place.

This is what inspired me... I'd love tool boxes down the side of a flatbed, since I won't be owning a flatbed camper.

20170513_104521-XL.jpg



jeeper said:
I love me a flatbed!

$1400 is a killer deal. I'd just buy it. For my current truck, I bought a steel bed. After pricing metal, powder coating, lights, etc. It is almost as cheep to buy one.. and then it looks 2000x's better than I can do.. and I didn't have to spend 100 hours making it.

View attachment 112881View attachment 112882
Click to expand...

That does look good! I agree about the costs vs. time, effort and outcome. I'm sure I could build one, but don't know that it would turn out as well as a factory built piece.


Hickey said:
I like the beveled rear on Jeepers flatbed
Click to expand...

Yeah, it does look good!
 
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BlueWolfFab

BlueWolfFab

Running Behind
Location
Eagle Mountain
Hickey said:
I like the beveled rear on Jeepers flatbed
Click to expand...

My brothers is beveled like that, what I don't like about it is trying to put like ATV or snowmobile ramps up against the back or whatever doesn't really work because one part is straight and further back, and the other part is angled and further forward, so the ramp ends can't sit on the same place.

Yeah you could load the ATV from the side, but if you're putting a SXS or snowmobiles on the flatbed then that doesn't really work from the side.
 
ChestonScout

ChestonScout

opinions are like Jeeps..
Location
Clinton, Ut
When I got my new semi I really just wanted to buy a flatbed and mod as needed. Decided to just start from scratch on this one and I’m glad I did

But for the application........I’d buy the aluminum one and forget about it.
 
Hickey

Hickey

Burn-barrel enthusiast
Supporting Member
Location
Grantsville, Utah
Maybe look for a used steel flatbed. You'll probably have to mod one anyway, since you have a shortbed. Then, build you a camping crate. Like a teardrop trailer in size, but without an axle. You just winch it up on your flatbed and strap/chain it in place.
 
K

Keith in CO

Registered User
Location
Canon City, CO
Greg said:
So my 2002 Chevy Silverado 2500's stock bed is pretty beat up, it had been used hard, the tailgate is bent, the floor is pulling away from the sides, etc. It could be saved or just ran as-is, but I've been digging the look of flat beds lately. I've been thinking about the idea of building a flatbed, probably out of C channel and possibly diamond plate for the floor (even though I dislike diamond plate, at least aluminumn diamond plate.)

I can get an aluminum flatbed out of Idaho for around $1400... - https://www.idahotrailersales.com/aluminum-pickup-flatbeds/aluma-aluminum-flatbeds

Aluma-90106.jpg


Aluminum would be light compared to a steel bed and for this truck, light is good. I don't plan on a 5th wheel, just bumper-pull towing with the factory hitch. I'm not sure what the materials would cost to build my own steel bed, but I bet it would be close to $800-1000. The thing I don't like about the aluminum is that I'd like to mount steel tool boxes and I'm a bit worried about the steel and aluminum interacting. My planned use for the truck is mostly towing, but I'd eventually like to have a truck camper as well. I'm not sure my home-built steel flatbed would look as good as that aluminum flatbed.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Light weight is good. I used an aluminum semi trailer bed. 8' wide, with tie down points and all lighting intact. OEM used steel sub frame connected to aluminum - no problems
Pete 1.jpg
 
R

rholbrook

Well-Known Member
Location
Kaysville, Ut
When the aluminum gets oxidized you can acid wash it and it looks good as new. In fact, I have some acid if you or anyone wants it. FREE. It makes me nervous having it around.
 
Greg

Greg

Make RME Rockcrawling Again!
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
Keith in CO said:
Light weight is good. I used an aluminum semi trailer bed. 8' wide, with tie down points and all lighting intact. OEM used steel sub frame connected to aluminum - no problems
View attachment 112888
Click to expand...

Good to know, that looks perfect! Love the tow rig setup, too!


JPMoab said:
Modify this one to fit, maybe?

https://westslope.craigslist.org/pts/d/cm-8ft-flatbed/6543316649.html
Click to expand...

That's a great price for a CM flatbed... I've been looking on CL and FB classifieds for awhile and missed that one! Wonder how it would fit on my truck. Good option, for sure.
 
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