Flatbed

john&bet wrote:
Wow, all the discussions about other states requirments other than the one he lives in and very little on the actual pros and cons of doing it. JMHO

Huh!..:?

How much (more) info can I give you about the requirements for the state I live in (CA)??..:S

Shhesh - if you need help "doing it".... go to any of the gas/diesel truck forums for your brand of pickup - and find all the "how to" -including pics - you could ever ask for..:R

Pro: Get more "stuff" in a given area of space on the back of a pickup. When towing 5th wheel, no worry about hitting bed rails, etc.

Con: See next -and- CONtrary to your statement above, don't have a clue how it's handled in states other than the one I reside in.

Con:
In case you missed it....the point is/was - *if* you change to a flat bed or utility body in CA -the state I live in- you are required to stop at *ALL* weigh stations. - Bummer!.:(
Of course - if you like sitting in lines at weigh stations, being weighed and possibly inspected - guess that could be considered a "Pro", LOL!

How that modification (flat bed) might apply in your home state -now or in the future- is to *you* to determine.

BTW - Happy capish(ing)!.:B

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Wow, all the discussions about other states requirments other than the one he lives in and very little on the actual pros and cons of doing it. JMHO

Dayle1 wrote:

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

See: PICKUP.
Discussion. (last half of paragraph) If the pickup has a GVWR of 11,500 lbs or more, or the pickup bed has been removed and a utility body or flat bed has been mounted, then it no longer meets the definition of pickup in CVC Section 471; it is then a "motor truck" under CVC Section 410 and required to stop at the weigh stations.


IMO - if you are traveling in CA, with out-of-state plates, reciprocity for your home state legal flat bed would apply..:C

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Glad I don't have to register my TV in Ca.

And....pay the registration $$ fees!!.:(..:(

Ex: My 1T pickup (when new) was over $600. in CA.
($225 of that is/was weight fees as a commercial truck)
Same truck in SD non-commercial (private truck) - $66.

However - on the flip side of the coin.....

Register your Tow Vehicle singled (Class 7) HDT Heavy Duty Truck as a Motor Home and the registration fees are less than those for a pickup.
Bonus: As a MH, it doesn't have to stop at weigh stations, LOL!
(even with a flat bed "deck")

Speaking of MHs & CA :
Buy a Motor Home, take delivery out-of-state, keep it out of state for 1 year....and pay *NO* sales tax (which is currently close to 10%) - then *legally* register it in CA.

Oh yeah - and more on the MH registration.
My neighbor bought a new gas burner MH in 2005 for approx $85K.
My 1T pickup - also new, same year - about half what he paid.
Registration for the pickup was about one third *more* than his MH.
(And yes - he utilized the CA "90 day rule" for zero sales tax).

Win some - lose some..:B

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BTW - CA "90 Day Rule" (now "one year rule")

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ol Bombero-JC wrote:

See: PICKUP.
Discussion. (last half of paragraph) If the pickup has a GVWR of 11,500 lbs or more, or the pickup bed has been removed and a utility body or flat bed has been mounted, then it no longer meets the definition of pickup in CVC Section 471; it is then a "motor truck" under CVC Section 410 and required to stop at the weigh stations.


IMO - if you are traveling in CA, with out-of-state plates, reciprocity for your home state legal flat bed would apply..:C

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Glad I don't have to register my TV in Ca.

Thought I would skip the potential hearsay from another 'net forum, and "cut to the chase".....

As pertains to CA:
Simply stated - "All flatbed trucks in CA must stop at all CHP weigh stations, regardless of size or weight". CHP officer.

And the regs:
"Who Must Stop At Scales"

Scroll down to -
"Do These Vehicles Have To Stop At Scales?"

"Discussions" quoted -

See: PICKUP.
Discussion. (last half of paragraph) If the pickup has a GVWR of 11,500 lbs or more, or the pickup bed has been removed and a utility body or flat bed has been mounted, then it no longer meets the definition of pickup in CVC Section 471; it is then a "motor truck" under CVC Section 410 and required to stop at the weigh stations.

See also: PICKUP WITH CAB / CREW CAB WITH BOX TYPE BED - YES.
Discussion. The utility or box bed has to enter weigh stations.

And there you have it for flat bedding in Kalifornia..:W.:B

IMO - if you are traveling in CA, with out-of-state plates, reciprocity for your home state legal flat bed would apply..:C

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Tango, AE7UI wrote:
I have a service/utility body replacing the p/u bed on my 1 ton.
I would think this would be about the same as a flat bed since it "looks commercial".
Never stopped or even looked at by police as "being commercial".
I go by truck scales all the time, empty or with the fifth and no problems.

Now *if* you were in CA, and pass the same scales as I do - might be a different story.:R

Can't tell you why pickups (with utility bodies and flatbeds) are in line, maybe they all mis-interpret the sign..:h

I suspect they're now included due to (business) delivery folks "working the system" - *No Pickups* = *No Stop*.

*EVERY* pickup in CA...from the smallest import to Chevy Avalanche, etc. - are required to have *Commercial* plates even if it only carries your groceries or golf clubs.
There are no "private trucks" - or "non-commercial" plates.
So, there has to be some way to sort 'em out.

Why? It's spelled....R-E-V-E-N-U-E..:W

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When I re-registered my 1T pickup back to CA from SD (originally registered in CA), DMV wanted to know what weight capacity I wished to register it for.
Told her the same as previously - the factory specs.
Never thought to ask her why.

Anyway - I'll try to find the diesel forum thread regarding same.

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Love mine (see signature)don't have to worry about looking back to see if bed is going to hit trailer.

My pickup truck with factory bed is registered as 'commercial' and never have been given a second look.

Stopped at a scale (towing 5'vr) ONE time because of my commercial plate and was told....get out of here.

I have a service/utility body replacing the p/u bed on my 1 ton.
I would think this would be about the same as a flat bed since it "looks commercial".
Never stopped or even looked at by police as "being commercial".
I go by truck scales all the time, empty or with the fifth and no problems.

arkansasrunner wrote:
Just checking to see if anyone is putting a 5th with a 1 ton flat bed ? THanks

"putting" on the 5th green??..:B

Good - Bad - and the UGLY - of flat beds:

Good = handy, etc. - like posters have said.

Bad and UGLY - but, not what you think!!..:?

Some states consider a pickup bed replaced with a flat bed or even
a utility bed - to be commercial.....required to stop at scales to
check for (over)weight - and proper registration for load carrying
capacity.

Start watching scales in your travels.
You will see signs saying, "ALL Trucks stop at scales - no pickups".
BTW - a "pickup" means equipped with a bed like it left the factory!

This topic has surfaced on several of the diesel forums - posters are removing their utility beds and going back to original pickup bed.

Soooo - even if legit in your home state, it could cause you grief on the road. (Bad!)
"Grief" (or lack of same) could vary from being waved thru scales - to being chased down if you don't stop (Bad to UGLY)..:W

Verify you're not "hot-shotting" - OK, private truck & private RV - no problem. "But when you drove over the scales sir, your 5th is too heavy for the rating of your truck." (UGLY).:(

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