Flatbed verses Pickup Box

Bill001 wrote:
I have years to prepare for this. I am not looking for a custom TC to fit the flatbed width. I am looking to utilized additional space for utility cabinets.

My question was concerning the pros & cons of flatbed vas pickup box.

Thanks,
BIll

You came to the right place, then. We don't advocate custom flatbeds here, either. A few here are doing what you are suggesting and just hanging things off a flatbed. Also, the manufacturers I recommended are not custom either. Lots of resources for you to investigate.

Glad to hear that you have time. As we get a post like this about once a month here and you are the first one in a long time that has a good time schedule buffer. For me, I started my planning in January of 2004 and finally hit the road in June of 2009. fPoole has done some great research and implementaion in recent threads, so he would be a good resource/mentor for you.

Have fun.

b

I have years to prepare for this. I am not looking for a custom TC to fit the flatbed width. I am looking to utilized additional space for utility cabinets.

My question was concerning the pros & cons of flatbed vas pickup box.

Thanks,
BIll

Bill001 wrote:
My "ride like crap" comment was referring to something as stiff as a 350/3500 Dually flatbed... when not loaded.

Maybe I'm unfair; perhaps that's more an issue for the 450/4500s+

They do 'ride like crap' empty. They're sprung for weight. With weight, they're stable and very smooth.

We went with an air suspension to solve this problem. Whether empty (flatbed with boxes) or loaded, the ride is very similar. The bags adjust to the weight, so the unit is always at the 'level' it should be.

Our camper is on most of the time. But I use it for a sled deck some in the winter, and we off load the camper in the summer 9 out of 10 times...makes hauling the boat to different sites alot easier.

Ultra link... it's the bomb.

Welcome to the TC Forum. Lots of experienced and helpful people here. Just be prepared that not everyone will tell you what you want to hear, but share their best advice.

There are some TC Manufacturers that build full width (flat bed) type TCs. Four Wheel Campers and Northstar come to mind. Check the history in Truck Camper Magazine, as there are a few articles on this subject, as well as information on Fulltiming. Just be prepared a project like this takes time, up to a year to put together, so if your plans are to start right away, like this fall, you are underestimating the work ahead.

Good luck.

b

A flatbed will put the camper several inches higher off the ground, one disadvantage.

It seems to me a major advantage of a flatbed camper is that the floor plan is free to occupy the full 8' width. You would have to build your own however, since almost no camper is built with this in mind.

My "ride like crap" comment was referring to something as stiff as a 350/3500 Dually flatbed... when not loaded.

Maybe I'm unfair; perhaps that's more an issue for the 450/4500s+

Heheh, Bill, lots of good questions...

I went through the same thing, and settled on a 5500 with a flatbed.
I figure I can put strong plastic removable (just me out there) storage bins along the sides for "Stuff".

I plan on a cargo net/tarp with tie downs to use the bed with the camper off.

That's the game plan at least and the few I've been able to talk to, friend has a 3500 box, really liked the idea of the Flatbed.

There's another thread on this too, I'm having a "Deja vu'" on this...

Ride like Crap, enh? sacrifice for piece of mind on load/towing etc...

good like, heheh, I'm following you all over the forums.. LOL, fun..