Remove box for flat bed...Why not?

I considered a flatbed conversion on F250, but felt it tempted me to just overload an already heavily loaded setup even if I could get some weight savings removing the OEM bed.

When I was shopping for my flat bed for my chassis cab, I could not find manufacturer that had a stock aluminum bed that could tie down a 3-ton TC (since I want a triple slide model). There were ones that could customize a bed, but estimates were twice as much as Fastbrit's. Most of the worries were about the anchor points and flex they would create rather than the weight on the bed. I went with a low sill steel bed and was able to get the lower storage boxes, 30K gooseneck and 30K SuperHitch all for less than I was quoted for a custom aluminum bed.

Comparing overall height is little bit apples to oranges since I went from a from a Ford F250 4wd pickup to a Ram 5500 4wd chassis cab, but I had to add two steps to my scissor setup when using the same TC.

drc5900 wrote:

covered wagon wrote:

Oh yes, the fuel fill is lower down so it's sometimes more difficult to fill with fuel because a lot of them tend to shut the nozzle off frequently. I solved that a couple ways if any are interested I can explain.

I am interested to learn how you solved that. Kindly please explain!

Pro Tech used the oem filler neck which most have an anti siphon hose blocker down the end of the pipe. Pull the fill neck/pipe and cut out the anti siphon hose blocker. Fuel will flow much better into the tank. The other thing you can do is throw a block of wood down to drive over and tilt the bed a little bit, but, I've never had to do that.

I must say one last word about Aluminum... Pro Tech has the most beautiful designs and does not weld key areas but are riveted very strong. I've had my Pro Tech bed for almost 20 years and no problems. Everytime I go in there for new weather stripping to be put on the saddle tool boxes or new locks cause they wore out, they will not let me pay them. They are good people and are the most successful in the industry. They do the fire trucks and ambulances.

The f\b is 96"x106" with extrude plank flooring (the strongest material for f\b in aluminum)
2x 24"x18" Buyers tool box
steps with grab handles
No stake pockets or rub rail. the bed is really 96"x106" the same width as camper witch makes it a lot easier to put the camper on
cost under$3000
Manufacture by Martin truck body see mud guard on picture for more details

Fastbrit,

That's what I'm talking about. Can you share some numbers for your setup?

Honestly, I have no idea where to begin.

Just made the switch for an aluminum f\b.
Much stronger than the original bed and offer a stable platform for the t\c.
when looking at the original bed in the mirror it was rocking from front to back a lot.
Now it is solid as a rock.
Way easier to put the camper on only from the side mirrors.
My original bed collapse 1\4 to 1\2 inch at the tailgate.
The t\c sits only 2 inches higher than before.

The original beds of any brand of truck are not conceived to carry a double or triple slide t\c JMHO

Those aluminum beds are indeed very nice looking.

Yes, galvanized steel is quite durable.

SoCalDesertRider wrote:

tmartin000 wrote:
I live near the ocean, aluminum is the only material I will consider.

I'm a skilled aluminum welder and fabricator and like to work with aluminum, however, galvanized steel works just as well or better in coastal environments and is alot less expensive to build with than aluminum and doesn't have the cracking problems of aluminum when used in a structure that is subject to loading, twisting and vibration.

Thank you for that. So, if it's galvanized, I should be good?

Looking online for aluminum truck beds revealed some gorgeous boxes. I just figured that I wanted aluminum.

06Fargo wrote:
I know why the box sides and tailgate have to be chin high on a NBA player now so your advertising b.s. can say "best in class cargo cubic feet volume mostest biggest..."

but anyone know why the rear wheel wells of a pick 'em up truck need to be so big and clumsy?
)

Probably bc the morons who designed these trucks never own or use one for its intended purpose,,ie loading and carrying stuff..

Im also totaly annoyed how high my 2 wd 1/2 ton sits,,even with heavy load on,,4x4 I would understand but 2 wd no one ever goes off roading in some deep mud..my previous 2000 sierra was just perfect stance nice and low,made for good handling in corners too..
why did GM ever change it to these high boxy trucks is a mystery..

These are quite popular over here (link in english):
http://www.bimobil.com/en/modelle/pickups/

The one huge advantage is that you can have a lot more floorspace.

My flatbed F350 had the filler necks come through holes in the flatbed sill channels, then were frenched into the side rails at a 45* angle, but they still spit fuel out when filling sometimes.