Anyone take the regular bed off a truck and install a flatbed?

Christopher

Christopher

Moderator
Hello Guys, I thought about buying a 2500 truck (3/4 ton) and taking the bed off and installing a flatbed.

The flatbed place told me that on a regular truck with a long bed, you can only put a 9' bed on there, you could not put the 11' bed on there safely, especially if you plan on pulling a regular trailer, it would be too much leverage on the ball hitch on the back of the truck and not be safe, what they told me.

I asked around and got different answers from different companies so I am not sure who is correct.

I am wondering if anyone has put an 11' bed on a regular truck that had a long bed on there. I would like to do this if it is possible and safe to do, I don't want to have anything unsafe.

Other than having to deal with removing the regular bed, the fuel tank filler tube, bolting up the flatbed, wiring up the lights, dealing with the fuel tank filler tube again, what else is there to do? I don't plan on doing this myself, I would have the shop do this, I am just wondering.

Thanks.
 
You have pretty much the idea of what is to happen, although why go through all the work?
I just finished a 330 gallon setup with hot water in the back of an 05 dodge dually w/8 foot box. Everything fits in, back door closes and nothing goes over the truck cab in terms of height or past the side of the box.

Don't see the point of a flat deck on a 3/4 ton as you are so limited on weight that what good is the extra surface area for?

Also remember the flat deck typically add's 600 pounds more then what your box was. The only exception is an aluminum deck, but they do get $$$$.
I was hoping to put the flat deck on mine, but due to cash flow I just used what I had to put this truck together.
 
That 11' deck would be a bit big and the truck a bit light for that particular setup the 9' would be OK like the one guy said. You would be better off with a 1 ton at minimum or even better something like a 550. Unless you are just looking for space and don't planning on having much weight on it.
 
What I am planning is the all stainless steel 8gpm hot water skid, 125 gallon tank, huge water supply hose reel (hannay 1" hose electric reel), regular hose reel for pressure hose, cold water machine, (2) of the 30 gallon chemical drums, under the bed tool boxes and fleet washing hose that will not roll up on a reel (150' long, 8' wand with gun attached and approximately 1.25" to 1.5" o.d.) that I will have to figure-8 around the stakes on the bed or just throw them into an area on the trailer or rig up a basket that will slide under the box for storage out of the way.

Right now I just throw the fleet washing hose into one of those rubbermaid 50 gallon storage totes, the kind that you can store your christmas tree in, and that works out great. When I am at the job I just grab the wand and walk away from the trailer and the hose just slides out of the tote, it works great. When I am done I just throw the hose into the tote and put the wand into the trailer where nothing will fall out when driving.

With all of this stuff taking up space but not too heavy (water tank never full when driving) I think that the weight will be about 2500 pounds. The tank will be filling/emptying when at the job and we will empty or manage the water before leaving so there will be 1/5 tank or less of water when leaving the job to keep the weight down.
 
we run a 87' f350 custom that was a motor home in its first life. I bought it six years ago with 42k miles on it, took the camper off and had a welder fabricate an aluminum bed 11 foot by 8. We have two hot water machines, two chemical tanks, 330 water tank and plenty of room on the deck for other stuff. Under the deck we mounted two four foot boxes for our gear on the sides. Also, off the back under the deck we have two large hose reals - one for supply and one for pressure. On top we carry four ladders - 28', 24', 20' and 16' (six foot step fits on the deck). We have towed a dump trailer and never had an issue. Note, we hardly ever run with our tank full but when we do it handles it fine. This truck is a monster - much cooler and easier to work out of than my truck ( Mitsubishi FE, box).

I would recommend you go with the tray. More room and you can mount boxes / reels underneath.

Good luck.
 
Tim, if you don't mind, please post some pictures of your truck or email them to me if you don't want others to see the truck, I would appreaciate it.

Thanks.
 
Also keep in mind this. When building a truck if you build to the max of what the truck can handle you will probably wear out the truck and have more issues. If you are serious about this I would consider atleast a 3500 as typically the suspension is made to handle more weight even if you don't use it. You can pay the extra for the truck or put that extra money into repairs as the suspension will probably give out quicker with the 3/4 ton. I have been told by many mechanics that it is better to have a truck that is over built then one that is constantly pushed to its limits.

Good luck either way
 
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