Forum Discussion

radio1960's avatar
radio1960
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013

Thickness of flat bed

I stopped by a local business that makes log trailers for local loggers and flat beds for installation on trucks. I talked with him about converting my '93 Ford F350 LWB to a flat bed.

He asked me how thick I would want the bed and if I wanted to use diamond plate?

Wasn't sure what to tell him. Currently haul a Northstar Laredo and want to put storage boxes down the sides and possibly a generator.

Are there any standard answers? He said he could supply a cost estimate for fabricating and installing once he had the information.

Thanks
Radio
Truck Campers
  • -Kevin's avatar
    -Kevin
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2013
    Flat bed height depends on the design but at a minimum you’re looking at about 4"-5". Most beds are over built by a huge margin but the general rule of thumb (for ¾ and 1 ton trucks) is C4x5.4 around the outside and for rails, C3x4.1 for cross-members (every 12”). Rails have 3" openings for the cross-members to be reassessed into them.
    I have been doing a lot of research on this as next month I will start my build for the same purpose, more storage.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Sep 09, 2013
    Talk it over with the guy at the local business........he does that for a living and has probably better answer than us internet yahoos.

    Besides he gets to actually look at what you are wanting done.....we just get to guess :B
  • DWeikert's avatar
    DWeikert
    Explorer II
    Sep 09, 2013
    I don't have an answer for you but perhaps you could explain what you want to use the flatbed for and see if they have a recommendation?

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