2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Designs for Flatbed

[rnolen]

I have a 97 2500 SRW 4x4 that I am wanting to put a flatbed on. I started looking around commercially and I think I would rather build it myself. Does anyone have a set of plans for a bed?



In Christ

Russell Nolen

 

[GMincher]

I'm sorry I don't have any plans, but did you ever notice that flatbeds/ stakesides have never changed, since the Model T, er um , John and Horaces first trucks? Cab designs have changed with the times the the stakeside is absolutely timeless. If you have the facilities you could definitely build your own but somehow I feel it would end up being cheaper to by a factory built unit. See ya

 

[PhilLewis]

I agree with Mincher.

Build the bed youself. I have seen alot of flatbeds out there with custom skirting with round edges that kicks ass. Although every one I see is built by a welder and he has no idea about $$$ or hrs. One day I will have one and plan to do it myself. Otherwise time with someone else that can weld will cost me lots of $$$$$.

 

[KOdegaard]

I built mt own and am quite happy with it and have lot of complements

on it. I will send picts if you PM me.

Kirk

 

[MUDDY]

mine is a homebuilt. better that way as ya can get it how ya want it. mine is only 8 foot instead of 8 1/2' as most are so i got little more room so corners dont make contact w/ 5'er. also got 5er hitch recessed so rails are down to frame level.



gonna add boxes,,,,,,,,one of these days



#ad

 

[SRadke]

If you want something custom or diffrent, build it. It is a sure way to get it like you want it. If you want a basic old flatbed buy one, they sell for cheaoper than you can make one for. Price them out and ask what they weigh. Steel is selling to the general public right now for about $. 80 per pound (twice what it was a year ago at this time). Figure a dollar because you will have waste. That means a 700 lb bed plus lights, wire, paint, etc, etc..... you'll have a grand in it plus time. New units start about $1100. My $. 02 worth, tax free.



-Scott

 

[hammersley]

DC doesn't want Flatbeds on the 3500......

How are you guys doing this? I mean it seems as though you are potentially letting yourself "wide open" I mean a "Slam dunk" in case of an accident... ... ... for the attorneys to either 1. Not cover you through your insurance OR 2. Sue you... ...

 

[Turbo Thom]

Hammer... ... How is it "wide open" to suits? The beds are for thier own use. Plus, if you plan to sell them, all you need is product liability insurance. I'm building me a bed with the "tow bed" look. If I like it, I'll build to sell. I'm also building a tilt bed 26' trailer. That will be a fifth wheel tow type. And steel, it has gone through the roof as to price. One sheet of 4x8x1/4 plate cost me $265. I priced one sheet of 1/16 for a project and it was $127. Build your own and you know what you have. No cut corners and no shoddy welding.



And if you don't want to do it yourself, call me. I'll help you what I can. My shops in McDonough, Ga.



. . Preston. . 678-583-6998

 

[Willys]

Thom, are those wholesale prices? I talked to steel supplier/fab shop in Griffin, his cost was around that a few months ago- 235ish? Boy did my jaw :--)



Think I'll go get my buddies scrap plate before he goes to the recycler

 

[MUDDY]

How are you guys doing this? I mean it seems as though you are potentially letting yourself "wide open" I mean a "Slam dunk" in case of an accident... ... ... for the attorneys to either 1. Not cover you through your insurance OR 2. Sue you... ...

hmmmmmmmmmm,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,dunno how a fb can cause an accident. splain that one to me.



i know dc doesnt offer a fb as an option but wth.

 

[hammersley]

Don't get me wrong.........

I was just trying to make the point that there appears to always be attorneys out there that will look for something - ANYTHING to get at some $$$$$$. And since DC specifically doesn't endorse this application (which is an apparent SNAFU of Giant proportions) - it seemed like a potential BUT remote problem... ... ... Heck I know we do stuff all the time - but if you are in the business - like a friend of mine is - they won't touch this one... ... .

 

[rnolen]

Thanks for all the advice. I am not looking at anything real special. I was trying to find out what a bed really consisted of before I started. There are a few around here, but I haven't had the chance to look at them. I can find one around here about 800-1000 dollars. Talking to some local metal guys they thought I could build one for about 400. I have access to all the tools, knowledge, and help. What do you mainly from a flatbed of? All you guys that built your own. How did you decide on what to do, that's why I was wondering if there were plans for something like this. Maybe I'm making this to hard in my head.



Thanks again

Russ

 

[SRadke]

They are generally formed of light tubing. Something like 2" x 4" x . 095" thick. Some use heavier, some lighter depends what you're doing. Tubing gives you more strength for less weight and a diamondplate skin is easily welded on. If you prefer a wood deck, make the side a little higher so everything is flat after the wood is on. You probably making it more complicated than it needs to be. Dream it up and build it, it's the American way.



-Scott

 

[ndurbin]

Mines pretty simple really. Rectangular tubing pieces run the length of the frame rails and then has square tubing supports underneath the deck. The deck is made out of 2 peices of 4'x8' 1/8" diamond plate. The back is 1/8" flat metal and the headache rack is made out of square tubing. The rub rails on both sides are 1/4" flat metal bent around 4" channel iron peices cut about 5" in length. The holes for the rear taillights are covered with expanded metal. The rear hitch is made out of 2 peices of 3" channel iron angled back from the end of the flatbed frame with a peice of angle iron connecting them to make the plate for the hitch. The gooseneck hitch is made out of a pretty hefty peice of channel iron welded to the flatbed frame. The bed's attached to the truck using the stock bed mounts with angle iron brackets welded to the flatbed frame. I'll try to get some pics of it in the next couples days.



Nathan

 

[Turbo Thom]

Willys... ... ..... If you called K & K , they buy is greater amounts than I do. Mike may get a better price. That's what I was quoted. Floor plate, it's worse.



. . Preston. .

 

[rnolen]

KOdeegard,



I PMed you.



Russ