Use of utility bed

[Simo]

Has anyone used a commercial utility bed similar to the one manufactured by Reading with their truck camper. I'm thinking that the extra storage in the side compartments may be handy for camping accessories and gear if the camper will fit in the smaller, narrower bed and if it can be secured to the frame with mounting brackets/tie downs. I think a 350/3500 dually pick up with this type of set up could make a decent expedition vehicle.

[Kayteg1]

I was considering buying new flatbed or utility bed as I had them used in the past, but it cost more money to buy/arrange while dropping resale value.
If you have good use for it, you will not worry about it, but going on my retirement that was important factor.

[HandyRandy]

Check out https://sherptek.com/#intro

I've dreamed about a utility bed, but love my current truck. This may be a solution.

[Rockfisher1]

Bedlam is spot on with the comment about overloading even with a 5500 or 550 particularly if you pull a boat like we do. That said, careful planning and budgeting your weight is a good path forward regardless. Our most recent camper is a 2017 Host Mammoth currently mounted on a radically modified F350 DRW but we're stillright at the Dana Spicer max on the rear axle. We've looked at Douglas and another local manufacturer but found Body Werks in Elkhart has the best bang for the buck.
http://www.utilitybodywerks.com/photo-gallery.html. We're inspected their work and the welds are solid as is the sheet steel work. The clincher is they are $8000 less than Douglas!

[bka0721]

Bedlam wrote:
The problem with utility beds is they are heavy and encourage you to pack even more. If you have excess payload capacity, this is not an issue. However many TC'ers are looking at how to keep their load light rather than add to it.

Sage advice. The bigger the suitcase the more prone you are to bring more stuff. The right truck needs to go with this choice.

I went this route, Knapheide Utility Bed, with my Lance Truck Camper and F550 truck. I elected a longer chassis for additional cabinets too. My Utility Bed delivered, Full Height Cabinets, Full depth Cabinets, painted and installed was $8,040 plus a hitch for an additional $250 to tow my Motorcycle Trailer.

8 1/2 years later everything is going great.

Good luck!

b

[mkirsch]

No doubt. A contractor friend of mine has 2000lbs of tools and equipment stowed in the compartments of his Knapheide utility body on a 2500HD Chevy. He towed a small toy hauler with it for a while, but it was seriously dragging rear bumper. It was so bad that he gave up camping and sold the trailer.

Works great for his snow plowing business in the winter, though.

[work2much]

mike/kellie wrote:
I bought a 2015 Ram 5500 cab and chassis new in November of last year. There is a story about this I'll share later about out of state non-complete trucks once I jump the last hurdle. I was drawn to Douglass Truck bodies (Ca) as they have built and show a couple Host campers on similar trucks like mine. They are not cheap but I have a price including an extended truss hitch set-up. You can tailor each body to your liking. The typical passenger side front compartment is usually dedicated to a spare tire, jack and wrenches. How cool is that if needed? So as soon as as DMV signs off on the truck, I'm moving forward.

Looking forward to seeing the complete rig.

[mike_kellie]

I bought a 2015 Ram 5500 cab and chassis new in November of last year. There is a story about this I'll share later about out of state non-complete trucks once I jump the last hurdle. I was drawn to Douglass Truck bodies (Ca) as they have built and show a couple Host campers on similar trucks like mine. They are not cheap but I have a price including an extended truss hitch set-up. You can tailor each body to your liking. The typical passenger side front compartment is usually dedicated to a spare tire, jack and wrenches. How cool is that if needed? So as soon as as DMV signs off on the truck, I'm moving forward.

[Bedlam]

The problem with utility beds is they are heavy and encourage you to pack even more. If you have excess payload capacity, this is not an issue. However many TC'ers are looking at how to keep their load light rather than add to it.

[work2much]

This always looked like the ultimate set-up to me for a TC and truck, especially if the truck is used primarily for work or carrying a TC. The boxes do add weight so that would have to be a determining factor in selecting the truck and camper for GVWR.

[zb39]

Yes people have. Look around on the site. a lot of guys will mount them on a 5500 chassis. Knapheid (spelling) makes a stock one that will work I believe.