Has anyone here modded out a 13 ft flatbed to allow a TC to sit all the way up against the cab? One would need to relocate the fuel fill line and reduce the width of the last 5 ft of the 13 ft bed to allow clearance for the rear jacks and the dump nozzle. Of course the frame and suspension set the minimum width, but it looks very doable. The added benefit for me would be that I would also gain a 2.5 ft landing outside my Bigfoot 10.5e and open up a host of new stair configurations. Of course, the lockable storage box opportunities are fantastic too.C&C 4500+ are relatively common and comparatively cheap in my area. Just curious what problems I may encounter with such an undertaking.

Could you extend the rear jacks much like the front to clear the flatbed?

I thought about this option, but I would still need to either relocate the dump nozzle, or cut out a hole for it in the bed and then be okay with a very tall lift (these flatbeds sit high already). I could be wrong, but I think the jack extenders would need to be custom built. Personally, I am not super confident that the rear jack mounts (specifically the backing wood) could safely carry the moment that would be created by offsetting the jacks. This is definitely a viable option though.What got me thinking was that I parked next to a flatbed and decided to stick my head under there and see what the layout of the structural members was. It was surprisingly simple and sparse. Assuming the beams are mild steel, the mod would be fairly straightforward for a fab shop or fab hobbyist. The only downside is that the flatbed is not going to be useful for much else after the mod.

If you’re keeping the full length of the bed, be better and much easier to just get a TC that is bed level with nothing hanging down. Then you get a bigger back deck and don’t have to modify anything.Correction, you’d still need extended or dually brackets for the rear jacks just like the front.

I guess I'm not really understanding the problem. Pictures? Fuel lines are easy to move. Jacks should clear regardless. Worst case, rear of the camper (anything past the 8' mark) might have a section/part that is lower (i.e. our wings hang down about 1/2" lower than the bottom of the camper). Just put the camper on a mat, or plywood, etc, to raise it up a bit.I'm not following why the narrowing at the rear? Deck at the back would work great..we use to have a pull out deck that stored under part of the flatbed on another truck.

Reality Check wrote:I guess I'm not really understanding the problem. Pictures? Fuel lines are easy to move. Jacks should clear regardless. Worst case, rear of the camper (anything past the 8' mark) might have a section/part that is lower (i.e. our wings hang down about 1/2" lower than the bottom of the camper). Just put the camper on a mat, or plywood, etc, to raise it up a bit.I'm not following why the narrowing at the rear? Deck at the back would work great..we use to have a pull out deck that stored under part of the flatbed on another truck.The big campers have a drop-down in back where they extend past a standard pickup bed.The big campers are already tall in a pickup truck, and will be even taller on a flatbed. You have to plan routes VERY carefully to avoid low bridges without making it even taller. Get over 13'6" and you're going to have problems even on main roads and interstates. Besides a stall mat is not going to raise the camper enough to clear the rear drop-down on some of these campers.Narrowing at the rear to clear the cleanouts and rear jacks. A flatbed is as wide as dually fenders.

Modified flatbed for C&C | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

Reality_Check
Nomad II
Feb 12, 2023
I guess I'm not really understanding the problem. Pictures? Fuel lines are easy to move. Jacks should clear regardless. Worst case, rear of the camper (anything past the 8' mark) might have a section/part that is lower (i.e. our wings hang down about 1/2" lower than the bottom of the camper). Just put the camper on a mat, or plywood, etc, to raise it up a bit.

I'm not following why the narrowing at the rear? Deck at the back would work great..we use to have a pull out deck that stored under part of the flatbed on another truck.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Feb 12, 2023
If you’re keeping the full length of the bed, be better and much easier to just get a TC that is bed level with nothing hanging down.
Then you get a bigger back deck and don’t have to modify anything.

Correction, you’d still need extended or dually brackets for the rear jacks just like the front.
AH_AK
Explorer
Feb 12, 2023
I thought about this option, but I would still need to either relocate the dump nozzle, or cut out a hole for it in the bed and then be okay with a very tall lift (these flatbeds sit high already). I could be wrong, but I think the jack extenders would need to be custom built. Personally, I am not super confident that the rear jack mounts (specifically the backing wood) could safely carry the moment that would be created by offsetting the jacks. This is definitely a viable option though.

What got me thinking was that I parked next to a flatbed and decided to stick my head under there and see what the layout of the structural members was. It was surprisingly simple and sparse. Assuming the beams are mild steel, the mod would be fairly straightforward for a fab shop or fab hobbyist. The only downside is that the flatbed is not going to be useful for much else after the mod.
Ron_835
Explorer
Feb 12, 2023
Could you extend the rear jacks much like the front to clear the flatbed?

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Modified flatbed for C&C

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