What must we keep in mind with Utility bed swaps?

Classy Chassis makes a nice aluminum utility bed that is specifically designed to carry a truck camper. It's pretty expensive but would be lighter than a steel bed and a TC would fit.
Most "off the shelf" utility beds won't fit a TC. You would have to have them modified. There are people on this site who have done just that. The sides don't typically leave room for the tie downs, the interior bed width doesn't widen out behind the wheel wells while most camper do. If you're going with a basement model camper they tend to be wider than 48" above the wheel well height which also creates a problem.
As for height, you would want to ask for a low profile bed, they have sides the same height as a regular truck bed. That will at least solve that issue.
Another way to go is a flat bed with tool boxes; that's what I have. You can install any size and number of tool boxes both above and below the flat bed, spacing them to allow the camper to fit.

http://www.royaltruckbody.com/ is located in Paramont CA, not to far from you.

I also had a El Tec body on one of the trucks, and installed a top box cover at their factory, within 20 minute drive of Long Beach CA. You can stop by both locations, and talk with a sales rep. They will know the laws, such as any requirements to stop at a scale in California or any other state. I am pretty sure that a 14,000 GVWR pickup - no matter what body is on it can bypass the scales in most states. Some states require pickups to stop at the scales, if over 10,000 GVWR, so you might have to stop in certain states.

Good luck,

Fred.

Reddog1 wrote:
In California, you are required to stop at all scales if you have any bed other than a pick-up bed.

Wayne

Do you have any web based laws that will confirm this 'opinion?' of the state laws?

I drove several tool box body trucks for years, and have never seen one stopped at a truck scale. Perhaps if the vehicle is over 26,000 GVWR, then it might need to stop at the scales, regardless of what type of body is on the truck frame.

Pickup based trucks do not need to stop at scales in California, because they are under 19,500 pounds (for the F-550) GVWR. Even a RV type vehicle pulling another trailer with a combined weight over 26,000 pounds does not require stopping at a scale, because it is not a commercial vehicle.

Fred.

In California, you are required to stop at all scales if you have any bed other than a pick-up bed.

Wayne