Steel flatbed on Chevy 3500 SRW

[derwood]

Seeking opinions - i'm considering replacing my bed with a steel 899 lbs flatbed. I will then carry a 3000lbs northern lite camper.

Do you all think changing the bed to a steel flatbed will put me too far over the carrying capacity? Chevy is a 2004 model.

[Bedlam]

The utility bed on a SRW will suck all the payload away. They are heavier than a steel deck.

[805gregg]

Get a utility bed, you get the extra storage and a lower CG

[Bigfootchevy]

Always good to listen to reality.

Paul

[derwood]

All good advise, sometimes you need others to confirm reality:R

[Bedlam]

I looked into a flatbed for my SRW and found that I might gain storage but still did not have the payload to carry more. I was typically at 7000 lbs on the rear axle with the TC and closer to 8000 lbs when the fully loaded trailer was also connected. Although my rear axle had a 9750 lb rating, tires had a 9610 lb rating and the rims were rated 9000 lbs, I did not want to go heavier. When I tow the trailer, I have no need for additional vehicle storage - It is only when I was carrying the TC without the trailer in tow that I have wished for more storage.

You can lose a few pounds off the truck by replacing the steel bed with an aluminum tray (continue to use frame tie downs), but the steel trays typically weigh the same or more than the bed.

[mkirsch]

Only you can answer that question.

For some people, 1lb is too far. For others, if you can see daylight between the frame rails and the axle tube, it's got room for more.

You're taking a truck with around 3750lbs of rated capacity on the rear axle, and throwing over 4000lbs on it... Do the math.

Sure you'll gain some of the capacity back in removing the original bed, but two healthy guys can lift a typical 8' pickup truck bed these days. Nowhere near the 900lbs of this steel flatbed you want to install.

[2oldman]

Ergo.. you know it puts you over already?