flat bed or conventional pu

depends on what other use you use the truck for. In my case, a flatbed would be nice because my truck is a farm truck and next time I will have one,

No metal sides to crash into or clear.

Truck bed sides are getting so high that leveling is a big problem with a conventional bed. If you need to get off level while turning, a flat bed or special purpose low-sided 5th wheel bed would be a big help.

Depends on use other than towing. Flat beds will have lower resale value if thats important to you.

I'd love to have a flat bed. Then I could unhitch without a step-ladder. lol

My back's too bad to jump up and stand on the truck tires.

I wouldn't mind one of the " Western Hauler " style beds if I was full timer.

Before you decide, check with your ins. agent. In some states they treat these as commercial vehicles and ins. can be high.

ScottG wrote:
Before you decide, check with your ins. agent. In some states they treat these as commercial vehicles and ins. can be high.

In CA - where "no pickups" sign/s are common at scales (which are run by the CHP) - The "NO pickups" does *NOT* apply to a (any) pickup with a flat bed (or utility bed). Period.

You may be ignored - maybe not "chased down"....but it *IS* the law.
(See CA DOT - who must stop at scales)

Spend some time on the various pickup forums - and you will see posts by "surprised" CA owners - who suddenly have a desire to convert their pickups *back* to a factory bed.

~

ScottG wrote:
Before you decide, check with your ins. agent. In some states they treat these as commercial vehicles and ins. can be high.

Very sound advise!

Most insurance company’s use the VIN to decode what the truck was when it came from the factory. For example, an F450 that came as a pickup bed usually isn’t a problem. If it came as a Cab and Chassis its a different world. I tried to get an underwriter two years ago educated on a Western Hauler but could never get their blinders off. The big concern was how to value it for physical damage coverages which does make some sense. Cab and Chassis trucks could limit the insurance choices to a few.

That being said, I would very much consider a Western Hauler type set up, but probably wouldn’t get DW to buy into a flat bed

Best of all worlds unless you need a standard truck bed for non-RV uses:

http://www.rv-dreams.com/rv-hauler-bed.html