I'm considering my next truck to replace my 2016 F350 6.7 dually. It currently hauls around a 2016 Arctic Fox 1150DB. I thinking another new 1150 or maybe the Host Cascade.Do any of the folks here that built up a flat bed or custom bed rig have any advice or heads up on what they did that was awesome or what they wished they had done differently when putting it all together? I'm thinking a new F550 4x4 6.7 ext chassis cab 84" CA, with custom Douglas bed. As this would allow for shifting the CG to just over or even a few inches in front of the rear axle, if it turns out to ride better there.Thoughts from owners?

Well, I have a, I guess? custom bed but pretty standard from the Mfg, as I have a SxS and needed a 10' be to carry it when needed.I had to have the tie downs for the bed reinforced to the frame so as to attach the tie downs to the rings on the bed instead of the the frame per se.. still attached to frame, but I just hook up to rings in the bed.Suggest back up lights on the back of bed and head board just in case.Might have them put on some side covers to secure gear on the sides.There are probably a few more things but probably wouldn't apply like I have winch to pull up the buggy when needed...and battery storage if going for more batts for Solar... I have mine on the side.and yes, CG is a little off ~5" or less, but 550 frame handles it and no known issues...Hope that helps a little..

This was finished in Oct of 2017. I would explore the tie-down options. I had them make the frame mounts with removable extension and it works fine with our new Mammoth. You can PM me with any questions-My Douglass utility body

What options on the tie downs? Location or type?

I'm pretty sensitive to rearward CG on my rig now, and it bugs me to have it feel like the truck is being pulled on from the back, like a heavy backpack while hiking. I'd like to shift it further forward if I can do so without overloading the front axle. Hence the 550 truck path...

You can use a horizontal pin connection or fastguns. The pins would require very accurate alignment. I stuck with fastguns but made custom tie-down brackets, powder coated them and utilized the existing bolt patterns. Look through their gallery and identify how many use Fastguns. Let me know and I can send you pics

Hey F550 5500 flatbed camper or custom bed owners:

13 Replies

Avid_Fox
Explorer
Jan 24, 2022
What options on the tie downs? Location or type?
mike_kellie
Explorer II
Jan 22, 2022
This was finished in Oct of 2017. I would explore the tie-down options. I had them make the frame mounts with removable extension and it works fine with our new Mammoth. You can PM me with any questions-

My Douglass utility body
fpoole
Explorer
Jan 22, 2022
Well, I have a, I guess? custom bed but pretty standard from the Mfg, as I have a SxS and needed a 10' be to carry it when needed.
I had to have the tie downs for the bed reinforced to the frame so as to attach the tie downs to the rings on the bed instead of the the frame per se.. still attached to frame, but I just hook up to rings in the bed.

Suggest back up lights on the back of bed and head board just in case.
Might have them put on some side covers to secure gear on the sides.
There are probably a few more things but probably wouldn't apply like I have winch to pull up the buggy when needed...

and battery storage if going for more batts for Solar... I have mine on the side.

and yes, CG is a little off ~5" or less, but 550 frame handles it and no known issues...

Hope that helps a little..

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Hey F550 5500 flatbed camper or custom bed owners:

13 Replies

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