anyone build their own truck flat bed ?

rfuerst911sc · 11-05-2018, 03:41 AM

I have a 2001 GMC diesel 4x4 dually with a traditional truck bed in good shape . But I'm getting the itch to try a different truck bed specifically a flat bed . I have been searching on local CL and have found some steel ones in the 600.00 - 1000.00 range . Your basic black steel with a headache rack . Not ruling any of these out as I doubt I can make one for that price ........... or can I ? Any of you guys ever make your own flat bed ? What materials did you use ? The heaviest thing I will carry is my 2500 lb. truck camper . In a perfect world I could do it in aluminum but I don't tig weld

but can mig and stick weld . Not ruling out a wooden bed either it just needs to be strong enough . Pics would be helpful also .

ckelly78z · 11-05-2018, 03:54 AM

I have seen plenty of used, and even new flatbeds adverstised on CL. Sometimes you can pick up a non-running whole truck, with a decent flatbed already on it, that can be parted out for what you need.

The ideal thing for me would be to get another TommyGate, hydraulic lift gate like I had on my 94 F250. You can't imagine the things it would lift with a 1200# capacity....refriderators, air compressors, motorcycles, garden tractors, old motors, large secting of logs. My 94 F250 had a standard 8' truck bed, but these lift gates work well with flatbeds also.

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

I don't see any way you make one for less than $600 if you can find a good used one for that. For $600 if it fits the truck I'd go that route and not look back and I'm one of those "I can build that" guys.

rfuerst911sc · 11-05-2018, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabmando

I don't see any way you make one for less than $600 if you can find a good used one for that. For $600 if it fits the truck I'd go that route and not look back and I'm one of those "I can build that" guys.

I tend to agree plus the time to actually source , cut and weld everything up .

fastfredracing · 11-05-2018, 05:22 AM

I have thought about this also, but seems it would be a pain in the arse hauling most everything that I currently haul. No longer just toss a tool box in the bed, and go, now you have to tie down. Everything .. Just my .02
I see lots of them for sale for under 1k around here. Man, there are some nice aluminum ones out there also. Plus all the welder rigs

dad911 · 11-05-2018, 05:36 AM

For looks or functionality?

If you are going to work it, make it dump with stakesides.....

Tip for those that occasionally carry dirt/stone/mulch/trash in their pickups - Use a bagster ($30) as a liner, keeps it clean.

Zeke · 11-05-2018, 07:13 AM

Make sure you get stake pockets. Build it long enough. Lots of hooks for tie downs.

LakeCleElum · 11-05-2018, 07:45 AM

Curious of your needs where a flatbed would work better? Not for me, but everyone is different.

I wouldn't want to lift everthing up that high. Same for loading motorycles, ATV and snowmobiles......

Mark Henry · 11-05-2018, 08:56 AM

I have a friend who has a Al flatbed tow truck he made, chevy with a diesel MB drive train and it runs on veggie.

URY914 · URY914's Garage

The flat bed leaves you with being able to add tool boxes and such when you put your camper on it.

rfuerst911sc · 11-05-2018, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URY914

The flat bed leaves you with being able to add tool boxes and such when you put your camper on it.

Bingo ! Paul you nailed it perfectly

I have a 1968 Avion C11 truck camper that I am slowly ( very slowly

) restoring . Because of its size when it's in the truck bed you can't get into all the nooks between the truck sides and the camper sides . With a flat bed I could easily install tool boxes that open to the outside which opens up a ton of storage possibilities . Also frees up space for mounting a generator so it doesn't have to be stuffed into a compartment on the camper .

The main reason I asked about making one vs. buying one is the bed height . It seems to me that most that you buy will add 4 - 6 inches above the current bed height . That is a problem with the lift system on the camper , it currently would NOT be able to get over that additional height . If I ever build a flat bed I would figure out a way to keep the bed height as close to stock as possible . My truck only has 16 " wheels with stock height tires but being a 4x4 dually it has a stack of leaf springs in the rear that raise it pretty high .

Obviously the easiest thing to do is keep what I have as it works , but it could be much better , more versatile and I like the looks of them

. I need to start looking around to see what is available near me for raw materials and do the math .

Arizona_928 · 11-05-2018, 11:33 AM

Those welding rig ones are sweet. Custom mounting for a sa 200 and the bottles.

I would buy one though. There's a pipeliner on YouTube that did a video of building his bed on a early Silverado chassis. Turned out really good.

URY914 · URY914's Garage

I've thought the best way is to build a frame not a full bed to put the camper on the truck. The frame would also support the boxes and allow you to lower the camper onto the truck frame. Lower CG for the camper and less overall height is better all around.

Why install a heavy flat bed that raises the camper and then hang tool boxes all over it?
Just attach the boxes to the truck frame using angles for support and let the camper sit directly on the truck frame too.

93nav · 11-05-2018, 01:17 PM

I assume the camper goes over the cab, so there is a limit to how low it can go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by URY914

I've thought the best way is to build a frame not a full bed to put the camper on the truck. The frame would also support the boxes and allow you to lower the camper onto the truck frame. Lower CG for the camper and less overall height is better all around.

Why install a heavy flat bed that raises the camper and then hang tool boxes all over it?
Just attach the boxes to the truck frame using angles for support and let the camper sit directly on the truck frame too.

93nav · 11-05-2018, 01:21 PM

I think he is thinking of something like this, minus the family.

Pic found on internet

93nav · 11-05-2018, 01:29 PM

Now you got me thinking/looking. Another one from the internet very nicely done. I wonder ti the box is stock or had to be modified.

Seahawk · 11-05-2018, 01:35 PM

I have thought about this a lot...I love the idea of a flat bed but I can't pull the trigger on the mod.

I have enough room to own a trailer that is better in every sense than a flat bed truck without the day to day penalties on the truck...the lift gate, however

Zeke · 11-05-2018, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

Those welding rig ones are sweet. Custom mounting for a sa 200 and the bottles.

I would buy one though. There's a pipeliner on YouTube that did a video of building his bed on a early Silverado chassis. Turned out really good.

It's their calling card.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Sounds to me like you need to learn to weld aluminum.

TommyGate is the BOMB

rfuerst911sc · 11-05-2018, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93nav

I think he is thinking of something like this, minus the family.

Pic found on internet

Nice pic that is my camper and my truck is white !