Hit a Speed Bump then "Crunch"

RobertRyan wrote:

ticki2 wrote:
From the pictures they sure look like modified Asian trucks to me . How are the frame stresses different between a pickup bed and a utility bed ? They are both fastened to the frame .

You have posted many interesting pictures in the past but I would be more interested in seeing your rig and where you have taken it , and how it has held up

I had a rig, based on a Ford Falcon Ute bed quite a few years ago. now it is hire motorhomes or looking at shows and talking to manufacturers.
I am quoting from Ute bed a now US manufacture of started by an Australian.

Ute®Beds for large pick-up trucks are load-rated to 8,000 lbs (4-ton). Beds for small to medium sized pick-up trucks are load-rated to 5,000 lbs (2.5 ton). In fact, the beds can probably carry more load than the truck is designed to hold. The aircraft grade T-6 extruded aluminum gives the bed its superior strength.

US Pickups in Australia used for any work related use i.e substitute for a Ute get a flat bed i.e work as a "ute'. MOST US Pickups retain their Pickup beds if they are going to be used as 5th Wheeler tower, general driver or have a US Specific Truck camper.
In Europe Pickups are very rare indeed, Joerge80 and Sabconsulting can verify that, so the industry we have here modifying Pickups does not exist. In the US going from what I have personally seen and the various trip reports ,use is not as extreme as it is here. They also modify and strengthen the chassis as well here
F250 Flatbed conversions.


A flatbed conversion crossing a river.

I agree that the Ute bed or flatbed is more useful and in most cases stronger than a standard pickup bed . I use an aluminum flatbed myself . What I don't understand is how it would increase the strength of the trucks chassis . As the Ute manufacturer stated the Ute bed can probably handle more load than the truck is designed for .