2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Flatbed Question

[JDriscoll]

I'm considering putting a flatbed on my 02. The box that is on the truck has a few dents and dings and is starting to crack in front of the passenger side rear tire. The truck is my daily driver, and I use it for fishing and hunting. I have never owned a flatbed, and I was hoping to ask those that have owned them what they thought of them for day to day use. If I do go this route, are there any accessories/ options that I should look for? If anyone can post some pics of features that have worked well I would appreciate it. One last question, can anyone give me a ballpark idea of what the box (long box) that is on my truck might be worth?



Thanks,

John

 

[fkovalski]

I am thinking of building a custom flat bed for my truck. I am going to make such that side rails can be placed on it to mimic the original for items that may need to be contained. I am also going to install some storage boxes between the rear axle and the back of the cab.

 

[HBarlow]

I had never owned a flatbed and never had any real need or desire to own one until late '07 when I was preparing to order a new '08 Ram. I wanted the advantages of the Ram cab and chassis which, of course, is delivered without a bed of any kind.

The flatbed was a compromise I chose to accept and have grown to like the flatbed for a number of reasons. It is not pretty, for sure, but it is practical.

Just several advantages of a flatbed that come immediately to mind:

Easy to hook up and unhook a fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer. No bed sides to reach over.

No tailgate to remove or worry about smashing when towing the trailers mentioned.

Large flat cargo area for transporting large and heavy objects.

Large and heavy objects can easily be lifted and set on the flatbed with a forklift or the bucket loader of a tractor.

Four large storage compartments with lockable doors under the flatbed --- two in front of the wheels, two behind.

Easy to install winter snowchains if needed.

Less concerns about scratching or denting the bed.

Here's a link to one of the popular bed manufacturing companies:

Truck Beds, Accessories, Become a CM Truck Bed Dealer! Remolques para Caballo, Ganado, Cajas cerradas, Plataforma cama alta y cama baja, equipos especiales, refacciones,

Study their website and notice features like dove tail (sloped) rear, notched rear corners, built-in gooseneck hitch pocket and ball, gooseneck trough for easy backing under the gooseneck, headache rack, LED lighting option, toolboxes built in or added on, etc.

I own a CM and am very pleased with it. IIRC, mine is the SS model. I think it was about $1800 installed. Total price with four storage boxes put the total price to close to $3k IIRC. My CM bed is almost three years old, has been used a lot, and is holding up very well. I would buy another one.

There are lots of flatbed and towbed manufacturers all over the country. They all are built and look pretty similar. One thing I have noticed that differs with some other brands is the way the headache rack conforms to the shape of the truck cab. Some are pretty ugly IMO with sharp squared off corners. The basic CM bed like mine looks pretty good. The headache rack fits the cab back.

 

[SHobbs]

If I were to put another bed on my truck I would go with these guys.



Herrin Truck Beds - RV Truck Beds - Western Truck Beds - Hauler-Beds - Flatbeds - Welding Beds - Oilfield Beds & Towing Beds

 

[LVJUNIOR]

I love my flatbed. I have 4 side boxes one full of tools, one has an on-board air compressor, jumper cables and recovery straps and equipment and the other two I use for my luggage and hunting gear which keeps thi inside of my cab clean without leaving my stuff in the bed to get rained on. I have removable sides that are a must. To remove them I just undo 2 latches on the back panel and lift them off one at a time.

View attachment 76322

 

[HHhuntitall]

I've got several steel flatbeds in use. I have a DewEze arm lift bed on one '97 3500 4x4, and it's really heavy. But the lighter beds seem to hold up better, such as the J & I Mfg beds, J & I Manufacturing - Truck beds, Trailers, and Supplies for the farming, ranching, and oilfield industries. , I like skirted beds, as they keep mud under the bed, and you can't see you're frame and springs. I really like the boxes on all four corners, too. We spend a lot of time offroad, feeding cows, fence work, water lines, etc. The biggest problem we see is cracked welds from frame flex, which we have to weld up every few years. They hold up very well over time, and the biggest drawback I see to them, is having to be careful not to lose anything off the back from wind or rough roads.

 

[JDriscoll]

Thanks guys. The box on my truck is starting to look pretty rough, a lot of little dings here and there. On the passenger side, in front of the tire there are two cracks starting to run toward the cab. I'm thinking the flatbed might be a better option than paying to get the dents and cracks fixed. I mainly use the truck for hunting and fishing. I like the idea of being able to put lights on the headache rack, they would come in handy for loading the boat after dark. I just wasn't sure if I would be happy with a flatbed, but it's starting to sound like it might be the way to go.

 

[vahunters]

Did you buy this flatbed or did you make your own? Nice looking truck. I am wanting to convert to teh flatbed with 5th wheel capability plus adding more dog boxes, etc. if you did buy it what did you pay?

 

[LVJUNIOR]

I don't know if your question was directed at me or not but I got my bed from drake equipment in Las Vegas. If I remember right it was $2500. I would not want to go hunting eithout it. Here is another picture from last week

View attachment 76638