Flat bed vs regular truck bed

2oldman wrote:

ol Bombero-JC wrote:
- those signs at scales (run by the CHP in CA) that say -
"No Pickups" do *NOT* apply to a pickup with a flat bed or utility body.

Yes, it does apply to a pickup with a flat bed, especially if there's a 5th wheel attached to it.

"2oldman" - let's try clarifying that:

From the CalTrans link (below)
Quote:
Discussion: According to CVC Section 471, pickups are a motor truck by definition, which is required to stop at scales per CVC Section 2813. However, all California weigh stations have signs saying "No Pickups".

So, if a vehicle meet(s) the definition of pickup in CVC Section 471, it is not required to stop at the scales because of the signs stating: "No Pickups".
If the pickup has a GVWR of 11,500 pounds or more, an unladen weight of 8,001 pounds, not equipped with an open box type bed not exceeding 9 feet in length, or the pickup bed has been removed and a utility body or flat bed has been mounted, then it no longer meets the definition of pickup in CVC Section 471; it is then a "motor truck" under CVC Section 410 and required to stop at the weigh stations. Un-quote.

For a non-resident (not plated in CA) - chances are you would be ignored by the CHP - UNLESS they thought you were delivering a 5th wheel (as in: a hot-shot driver, commercial purposes).
Will CHP chase you down? Who knows for sure - but, yes - some Chippys can be sticklers for lots of stuff - at scales or "elsewhere".

"Who Must Stop at Scales" - in its entirety can be found here -

(CA - Caltrans) Weigh Stations (Enforcement Facilities)



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The no-maintenance alum has been nice because I use the bed for a work bench and welding table. The next bed I build might have the T6 alum deck plate with smooth steel sides, painted outer and linex inner. Craig

I currently have a F350 with a flatbed. I absolutely love it. It is a necessity for the way I use my truck, but I also love towing with it. I never had to worry about contacting the bed rails. I did modify the deck by cutting out the area where the hitch mounts. I mounted my hitch directly to the frame rails using steel plate. I then reinforced the bed around the hole. This put my hitch head above the deck, but not high enough to be unlevel. One downside is you do have to tie down everything, but it is worth it IMO.

That looks pretty nice, and more useful than a strict flatbed. I don't care for the diamond plate, but it's looks well executed. If it was me I'd have used sheet metal and painted to match, but that's me.

My current setup has 14" clearance and I need all of it when I go off-road. I won't have another pickup bed! I built this bed in 06 and I just bought a new TV truck project and I'm building the bed for it next spring. Craig

I went to a 9ft.flatbed when I got may 2016 Ram
love it when I unhook from 5th TH I can haul side by side
on flat bed.

Ok I guess I misread the above post.

"Are there any disadvantages to having a flat bed on the truck."

You mean other than not being able to easily carry things in it? We use our truck for basically just pulling our 5th wheel, but we usually have a fair amount of stuff in there that would need to be secured with a flat bed. Not enough pros versus cons to make a flat bed worth while IMO.

Fireman286 wrote:
So I if traveling in California pulling a camper your are are expected to stop at weight stations with a flat bed?

No.

So I if traveling in California pulling a camper your are are expected to stop at weight stations with a flat bed? How many people are actually pulled over for bypassing them? Is there any other state that has silly rules like this or is it just another great California idea?