Flat Beds!! I want Pictures!! questions inside as well!!

[thomase]

New 05 and flatbed

I just put this flatbed on my brand new 05 over the weekend. It took me about 12 hours to install but I am really pleased with the utility of the bed and look. I bought the bed used for $500... it just needs a little gloss black paint and some new LED lights!

I'm guessing the bed weight is about 800-1000lbs. quite heavy but the truck seems to handle it fine and I like being able to weld on it as my needs change.

As you can see in the pics I used the factory trailer hitch... my plan is to box this in (someday)

 

[805gregg]

Whats the point of having a flat bed in anything under 10', looks like a high priced toy. My 3500 ford work truck has a 12' bed big enough to actually use.



805gregg

 

[FATCAT]

I just put this flatbed on my brand new 05 over the weekend. It took me about 12 hours to install but I am really pleased with the utility of the bed and look. I bought the bed used for $500... it just needs a little gloss black paint and some new LED lights!

I'm guessing the bed weight is about 800-1000lbs. quite heavy but the truck seems to handle it fine and I like being able to weld on it as my needs change.

As you can see in the pics I used the factory trailer hitch... my plan is to box this in (someday)

Wouldn't in stalling a flat bed void the Dodge warranty? I know they are always looking for ways to void peoples warranty, but wouldn't there be an issue with attaching the flatbed to the frame (i. e. drilling holes or welding)?

 

[thomase]

My dealer cautioned me to not drill or weld on the hydroformed frame. Dealer said that I won't have any warranty problems as long as the frame is intact. I have heard that Dodge will not warranty a cracked frame if the original bed has been replaced with an flatbed. I figure if I have this problem I can always put the factory one back on and then take it for warranty work...



I was able to install the bed using 4 of the 8 factory bolt holes and also used 4 U bolts. This is probably overkill but I'd rather have too much than too little!

 

[Diesel Nut]

My bed actually installs to the factory body mounts as well as a few already existing holes in the frame. No frame mods were needed for this bed, and the guys at Frontier did a nice job of fitting the bed.

805gregg- I guess that depends on what you want to use it for. For hauling around trailers, I'll NEVER go back to a factory bed, and do my fair share of hauling misc stuff. No, you can't put 400 bales of hay on it, but then again, my truck won't take the same acreage your longer wheelbase needs to turn!

I love my flat bed. Oo.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Whats the point of having a flat bed in anything under 10', looks like a high priced toy. My 3500 ford work truck has a 12' bed big enough to actually use.



805gregg

the ability to carry twice as many 4x8 sheets, twice as many pallates, etc. etc.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Temco Flatbed ($950), Circle D boxes ($200 apiece), with Line-X on deck and rearend ($250). Attaches at factory mounts, i. e. no welding drilling or u-bolting the frame. I'm happy

 

[EBottema]

Forrest- when did you sell your truck? Atleast your sig hints that you did... .



Anyways, flatbeds are great but for most having one without sides is pretty useless. I hate the factory weak bed. A flatbed with 16 inch minimum sides and a *****en tailgate would be sweet...

 

[Forrest Nearing]

sold the truck ~6wks ago... I took a job that's 99% travel, and I'm living in hotels and driving rent cars, so the truck was just sitting...



I miss the old girl, but it went to a good home, and when I get off the road, I'll be able to afford to build the truck I've always wanted



Forrest

 

[EBottema]

What gen truck will your next project be? And what the heck are you living in hotels for? lol

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I'm either gonna do another 12v or a 3rd gen. I'm leaning towards a 12v at this point, but the 3rd gen is still "on the table"



I'm on the road... livin' in hotels beats sleeping in the car!



Forrest