Flatbed switch observations.

[Gonzo 1066]

I removed the stock bed from my 04. 5 Dually and installed a CM steel flatbed. I was having interference problems with the GN horse trailer that I pull hitting the bed rails when I drove places that I shouldnt have. Now with the flatbed I will have NO issues with contact and causing damage to the trailer or truck. The first thing I noticed is how much better the truck handles in the twisties with the trailer behind, some of this may be the extra weight of the bed, but I assume that the rear frame is now much stiffer and that helps the handling. This is VERY pronounced both my wife and I notice the diffrence. The next is how much quieter the truck is when towing. Less road noise and a lot less resonance from the exhaust. I assume that this is because the stock bed is just a big amplifier of all of the viberation and noise that is always there. I also have less wind buffeting, I think that this is because the wind that would get trapped after spilling off of the nose of the trailer now has a smooth exit rather than tumbling in and around the stock bed. . I am a VERY happy camper now. . Great upgrade to the old truck.

 

[HBarlow]

I had to persuade myself when I wanted a new C&C back in late '07. I had never considered a tow bed or flat bed and thought they were ugly and less practical for carrying things in the bed. I was determined to buy the C&C anyway and added a C&M flat bed with four under bed storage boxes. When I started driving and towing with it I discovered I liked it a lot, actually prefer it over a standard pickup bed. I won't claim it's "prettier" but pretty is not what I want from a truck.

A flat bed or tow bed is actually a lot more practical for carrying large and heavy objects than a pickup bed. Access and bed deck space are much greater. I had never realized how much I would like one before.

 

[HBarlow]

Bud,

I agree with you. I was a late arrival at the party but I'm a believer now.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Now that I have the flatbed on the 04 my 01 with the standard bed really bugs me. Wont be happy till that truck has a FB also.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I removed the stock bed from my 04. 5 Dually and installed a CM steel flatbed. I was having interference problems with the GN horse trailer that I pull hitting the bed rails when I drove places that I shouldnt have. Now with the flatbed I will have NO issues with contact and causing damage to the trailer or truck. The first thing I noticed is how much better the truck handles in the twisties with the trailer behind, some of this may be the extra weight of the bed, but I assume that the rear frame is now much stiffer and that helps the handling. This is VERY pronounced both my wife and I notice the diffrence. The next is how much quieter the truck is when towing. Less road noise and a lot less resonance from the exhaust. I assume that this is because the stock bed is just a big amplifier of all of the viberation and noise that is always there. I also have less wind buffeting, I think that this is because the wind that would get trapped after spilling off of the nose of the trailer now has a smooth exit rather than tumbling in and around the stock bed. . I am a VERY happy camper now. . Great upgrade to the old truck.

I have looked at the CM tow bed and Flats did you get the one with the rear corners of the bed dog eared or just left them square. Sounds like you have it well in hand either way. I like the flat bed myself our stock trailer is for 8 animals and I need a place to tie down feed or tack. Good luck with your rig.



BIG

 

[Shadrach]

When I bought my 03 it had a steel deck on it with short mesh sides. I took if off and went back to a box. For me personally the deck wasn't what I needed as I am used to a box and canopy. I also found out that one time when I needed a tow the local auto club wouldn't tow me as they considered it a commercial truck even though I had pesonel plates on it. I have seen some real nice looking decks on trucks though and can understand why people would want them, just not my style. Shad

 

[Gonzo 1066]

My CM bed has the tapered corners, with utility boxes only in the front corners. I would like to add a skirt and boxes to the rear, maybe at a later date.

 

[jelag]

Over the past 18 years or so I've converted all my 1 ton trucks to a flat bed... I hated to crawl into a bed to hitch a goose neck trailer... We'd order in a truck with a bed and than over the winter build what we wanted... I don't care for steel decks. . we would try and strap stuff to those decks and it would want to slide around... so all the ones we built except for the last 2 were 2x8 TG decking... The last 2 we made with artificial wood. . on my current 05, we now have 8 years on the truck with no problems except for the guy who did the coating of the metal... I paid to have a guy spray it with bed liner and part of the bare metal wasn't preped correctly... I cut back the sharp corner by the cab and mitered the corners next to the trailer. . I've got the turn over ball and companion hitch so I can tow either a goose neck, or 5er and have a bare bed when needed..... Tool box on one side, and extra 50 gal tank on the other side... I think it works great for me...

I'm like Harvey... once you've tried it you might not go back. .