Looking for some flatbed input

[alk1174]

I am planning on changing my flatbed a little in the next couple of months and have a couple of options.

One cut off everything leaving the flat portion and add sides a bed hoop and some down bars.
+ already have the flat portion of the bed done and lights and gas filler figured out
+ cheapest option
-the flat portion of the bed is a bit heavy
-not the most eye appealing option

Second is to start from scratch and build a complete tube bed with sides a bed hoop and down bars
+look best
+lightest
-most expensive
-most time consuming

Here is where the questions come in.
What do you think my current bed will bring? I was thinking between 300-400. Is this too high?
Will the square bed with tubing look bad or not?
Where to get the tube from and can it be delivered? I need to figure this out first because my current flatbed is also my steel hauler.


I am planning on making up some cad drawings of the two proposed ideas so I can better visualize things.
Let me know what you all think.
Adam K

[yotacowboy]

i spent a good 20-30 hours playing in cad before i decided how i wanted mine to look/work.

as i'm sure you've seen mine, i wanted a "box" the width and length of the frame rails, but also a rail to come from directly behind that cab to a dovetailed back end. basically to make sure that it would slide off stuff.

[alk1174]

I have somewhat of a plan laid out. My biggest concern is hauling stuff when going on trips. I still would like a true flatbed just with some sides to keep things in and a bed hoop with downbars so I could put stuff on top. I am going to try and draw up some ideas today and see what I think.

[yotacowboy]

I think the most utilitarian flat bed that still looks okay that i've seen in a while is 4runnerRick's on PBB.

Part of the trick to a flat bed is planning out where and what size storage bins will fit with the spare tire mounted. I've thought about trying to mount my spare under the bed, kinda like Rick did, my 37 MTR will barely fit. When we went down to tellico, my rig looked a little like a clampit-mobile, but not too bad, it was more the saggy-ass syndrome than having a bunch of shit strapped to my roof. I'd never need to haul 4x8's with it to i can get away with a bit narrower/smaller storage space.

[VerticalTRX]

My one word of advice on flatbed building, build it with as much storage space and overall area as you think you can stand. I dovetailed mine heavily and while its great for wheeling it sucks for hauling gear. If I did it again I wouldn't dovetail mine at all, just leave it the width of the cab. One other thing is to put as much stuff under the bed as possible. Air tanks, spare shafts, possibly spare tire, extra tool storage, etc

I personally would vote for building a new bed from scratch, I think you'd be happier with the end results.

Theres a place in Galax (about 80mi from b'burg) that I get all my steel from, nice guys and good prices. They don't have DOM or Welded seam in stock but can get it fairly quickly (you do have to buy full 20' sticks if you have them order it though). They do have all sizes of structural sch. 40 in stock if you'd be interested in that however. I'm not sure if they'd deliver to b'burg or not (would be at a hefty price if they would).

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Adam,

I think the key is to make a list of objectives/storage requirements and see if it can be accomodated with your current deck. When I started on mine, I didn't do enough of this, and now I'm having to redo some of it to accomodate the tool box I want to use.

Ary

[Billet Benny]

Flatbeds are for sissies! Real men tube it out and load up on rachet straps.

[alk1174]

For those that havent seen them look at this.
http://www.tiregate.com/
I am considering "borrowing" from their idea and incorporating something like it into my design. I am definitely trying to maximize storage and hauling space more than anything else. I am tired of the ratchet strap Jed Clampett look.

[yotacowboy]

when i thought up the tail end of my flat bed, i thought about doing something similar, but instead of pivoting/swinging completely horizontally like those, it would swing downward a little to make loading the tire a little easier. kinda like the "rear stinger" tire rack that PSC uses on their heeps but at an angle. it's a badass idea, so do it!!!

[Leach]

You could so something similar to what Whittaker did for his spare tire, goes in the reciever hitch while your carrying all your stuff and once you get on eht trail and take out all your gear just toss it in teh flat bed area.

Heres something I just drew up to start making ideas. Still has flat bed area, but a place on top attached to the big hoop for some gear. Then raised bed sides with loops for straps.

[Billet Benny]

Heres something I just drew up to start making ideas. Still has flat bed area, but a place on top attached to the big hoop for some gear. Then raised bed sides with loops for straps.

Leach = MS Paint God!!!!!!!

[MILLER]

I mighth be making a similar tire carrier that swings down. Can be turned around to allow more storage in the bed.

[alk1174]

I think I have pretty much got my design figured out. I decided to work with and modify my current bed to suit my needs. Otherwise its go all out and probably end up back halfing the truck which is out of my price range right know. So its time to search for some tube. I called Steel Services in Roanoke and I am waiting for a quote. I think I have heard that name mentioned around here has anyone dealt with them? Miller have you heard back from BMG? I emailed them but have gotten no reply.

[BlueDodgeRam]

theres also VA Metals in lynchburg, my hometown. my buddy works there

[MILLER]

Fawkin steel places. I finally got word back from BMG, $6.35 a foot for 1.25" 0.156 wall DOM. And $5.90 a foot for 1.75" 0.095 HREW.