Flatbed trucks can become suitable solutions in carrying huge and/or strangely shaped cargo. You’re now trying to figure out how to make your truck into a flatbed model. Here is what we discovered after doing research for you.
The size, shape, and materials used for the current bed can all affect how challenging it is to convert a truck to a flatbed. However, the initial action in the procedure should be to remove the current bed. After completing that stage, you can proceed to the following actions:
1. Take off the truck’s tail lights. 2. Size the metal parts. 3. After the steel parts are suitably cleaned, weld them to the bed frame. 4. To prevent weather damage, paint the wooden boards after cutting them with a saw. 5. Attach the lumber to the back of the car. 6. Put the taillights back on.
When converting your truck to a flatbed carrier, don’t forget to consider a few important details. Installing a liftgate, for instance, will aid in stabilizing the flatbed and the transported load. Continue reading to learn how to turn a truck into a flatbed. We’ll also talk about other topics, like how to pick the best liftgate for your car.
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What is the price of a flatbed conversion?
Under the Moab Rim, close to Moab, Utah, is a 2021 Ford F250 Tremor equipped with a Norweld Deluxe Weekender flatbed tray.
On a desert road near Moab, Utah, a 2021 Ford F250 Tremor with a Norweld Deluxe Weekender flatbed tray may be seen.
In the vicinity of Moab, Utah, a man in Off the Grid Surplus Trailblazer pants unloads a storage container off a Norweld Deluxe Weekender flatbed tray.
Looking for details on Four Wheel Campers alternatives, aftermarket modifications, and livability improvement advice? Go to this link.
There are two types of truck bed campers: slide-in and flatbed. Slide-in campers are safely fastened to the manufacturing bed of a pickup truck using internal or external tie-downs. The term comes from the fact that they “slide in for installation and “slide out for removal. For flatbed campers, the factory bed must be swapped out for a flatbed tray, which the camper rests on and is typically fastened to with bolts. I’ll make an effort to address all of the queries you may (or may not have thought to ask) when debating whether or not a flatbed tray conversion is appropriate for you in this post. This topic solely takes into account individuals who are interested in a flatbed tray conversion in order to mount a camper; it does not take into account the countless other uses for flatbeds, such as delivering hay, doing construction work, etc. Additionally, I won’t go into great detail about the flatbed camper itself; only the tray. At a later time, anticipate the camper post.
For one and a half years, I drove a Ford F150 with a slide-in Four Wheel Campers Raven. The platform became more beloved to my family and myself than even our motorhome. We bought it because of its small size, off-road prowess, and ability to reach secluded campgrounds, but it was simply too small for our family of three and dog, who travel with mountain bikes, hiking, and camping gear. We decided to buy a 2021 Ford F250 Tremor after doing a lot of research and deliberating for months in order to support a Four Wheel Campers Hawk UTE that would be mounted on a Norweld Deluxe Weekender flatbed tray. Despite the fact that I spent more time than I care to confess researching this arrangement, there were a few surprises that I hadn’t anticipated. When you don’t know what questions to ask, it can be challenging to do so.
It varies. Do you prefer steel or aluminum? Will you modify a commercial tray or do you want a tray designed specifically for the overland market? Do you value appearance? These are all valid worries that affect the price. For a simple commercial tray with no additional storage or capabilities, the low end price is about $4,000. Costs escalate considerably after that. With shipment and installation, the Norweld Deluxe Weekender has a suggested retail price of roughly $12,700. A similar tray is produced by MITS Alloy, a new player on the American market, for around $1,000 less. Sherptek’s trays feature a unique design and even more personalization choices, but they’re unlikely to save you any money. Since they were created and constructed with overland use in mind, the MITS Alloy, Sherptek, and Norweld come with the “Overland tax is a higher cost. Companies like Alumline in Iowa offer high-quality trays that can be adjusted to add underbed storage bins and a rear drawer for a less expensive choice.
You should prepare to spend an additional $2,000 to $3,000 when shipping and installation costs are added to the cost of the tray. For instance, the entire price to buy, ship, and install my Norweld tray was little over $15,000. Keep in mind that the camper is an extra cost; this only covers the tray.
foremost, storage. In general, flatbed campers offer greater interior storage and useful living area than slide-in campers, and with storage boxes, pull-out drawers, and occasionally integrated water tanks, flatbed trays provide storage possibilities not found in a factory bed.
Improved floorplan designs and camper mounting choices are further factors. While the slide-in variants of Four Wheel Campers employ turnbuckles that are difficult to access and require attention to ensure they are tight, the flatbed models are bolted to the tray.
Since flatbed trays frequently have storage boxes attached above and below, some overlanders pair them with slide-in campers to create enormous amounts of storage. One of the most lethal implementations of this concept I’ve ever seen is that of Jon Burtt. If you have a lot of things to haul but don’t need the extra living space of a flatbed camper, this may be the answer.
Your departure angle could be boosted by many flatbed trays, which would increase your off-road capacity. They are also slightly less prone to damage than a factory bed since they have a smaller surface area and more robust construction in the exposed sections.
Cost. Even the least expensive choices are not cheap. A basic tray will cost about $4,000 plus installation, as I have explained.
Expect to lose some of them if you’re installing the tray on a more recent truck that has all the electrical bells and whistles. All three of these features will be lost when you add a tray: backup cameras are typically installed on the tailgate, blind spot sensors are typically housed in your tail lights, and backup sensors are located in the bumper. Although you might be able to preserve the bumper, I think that tractors that have both a flatbed and a bumper just look off. Some trays, like the Norweld, come with relocation kits for the manufacturer camera as well as the backup sensors. The sensors in my instance were plug-and-play. Not so much for the camera. I’ll need to place a third-party camera on the camper, which I’ll have to buy. Every time I start the truck, I get a warning that the blind spot sensors can’t be detected since they are no longer there and there is no way to integrate them. Performance is unaffected, however it could be inconvenient.
The fuel filler line must be moved in order to accommodate flatbed trays, which frequently causes minor complications when filling the fuel tank. In particular, you are unable to pull the trigger, set the lock, and insert the fuel nozzle. To keep it from cutting out, you must stand next to the tank and lightly squeeze the trigger. Although it is common and inconvenient, this is not a given.
You’ll need to insure it individually because flatbed trays are not a component of the factory truck and are typically more expensive than your basic bed.
To make sure that the tray is still fastened to the frame and that all of the storage boxes are still in position, you should periodically check all of the bolts. Failure to be careful in this regard could have disastrous results.
Compared to your factory bed, flatbed trays are higher. Depending on your requirements and preferences, you can see this as a benefit or a con.
Your truck bed will lose some of its utility if you utilize it for transporting. Many flatbeds come with removable sides that can be used to restore some of the carrying capacity, although they are typically more expensive.
Some boats with below deck storage, like the Norweld, have unusual shaped storage compartments. They are reasonably spacious, however finding the ideal packing solution can be challenging due to their design.
Not everyone wants to appear as though they can haul a load of hay at any time. I like how trays made for overlanding look. Not so much for farm or utility trays.
It is worthwhile to take into account a flatbed when buying a new vehicle with the intention of installing one “cab and chassis as opposed to the typical truck. It might be less expensive, you won’t have to worry about what to do with the bed you just took out, and frequently the frame rails are straight so your flatbed tray would be lower, lowering the center of gravity of the vehicle.
I’ve spent way too much time online researching the weights of the Ford truck bed and Norweld tray. It goes without saying that the tray weights more, especially considering the storage bins, drawer, and water tank, but I’m not sure by how much. On any HD truck, the weight difference is probably insignificant, but on smaller vehicles, like a Tacoma, it might considerably lower your payload. While we’re on the subject, I would never mount a flatbed camper on a Tacoma or any comparable mid-sized truck, and I may get flak for saying this. No matter what adjustments you make to the truck, they are really band-aid solutions since they simply aren’t designed to hold that kind of weight. You’re taking a chance, in my opinion. I realize it’s frequent and that there have been very few instances of severe failures.
Last but not least, I’ve been informed that some farm-style flatbed trays employ a mounting technique that might lessen frame flex. As frames are made to flex, which lessens stress on the metal, there is a chance that this could become a problem in the future. Frames that are unable to flex as intended risk long-term damage.
You are the only one who can decide. It is worthwhile to us. After living in a slide-in camper for a year and a half, which is akin to living in a very small corridor, the flatbed makes perfect sense for us. We haul a lot of gear, so having the extra space and the water tank put on the tray will help us stay organized while traveling.
There you have it, then. what a flatbed tray conversion entails in detail. I hope this was useful, but if there are any specific questions you have that I didn’t cover, send them to me through email or leave a comment, and I’ll try to respond by updating this page. Gratitude for reading!
Can my truck accommodate a flatbed?
It’s simple to attach a flatbed to a pickup truck. Setting the bed on the truck frame may be the trickiest part of the process. An overhead hoist and chain truss are used to lay larger beds. Smaller beds can be assembled by having helpers lift each corner and guide the bed into position. Use brand-new bed bolts, lock washers, and nuts when installing a commercial flatbed or a production bed that is tailored to fit your truck.
Can I fit a flatbed of what size on my truck?
The largest flatbed truck (of any sort) can be up to 8 feet and 6 inches wide. A separate “Wide Load permit” will probably be needed if the bed is wider or if the load is wider than this. Flatbed trucks are legally permitted to carry loads with a height of up to 8 feet, 6 inches.
What kind of wood works well for flat bed trucks?
The solution is Apitong, often spelled Keruing. All significant flatbed trailer manufacturers, including Great Dane, Fontaine, Wilson, Transcraft, MAC, Wabash, Doonan Specialized Trailer, XL-Specialized, and others, employ Apitong/Keruing. Since they are experts, they know what is best. Everyone decides on Apitong or Keruing.
What kind of wood is ideal for a truck bed?
The type of wood you choose for the bed of your truck matters just as much as the interior design and paint color you choose. But function also comes with appearance.
Let’s start with discussing materials:
- Ash is a fantastic option for people looking for a strong yet flexible wood. Its shock-absorbing qualities also make it ideal for those who like a traditional bed design but still require some functionality.
- BlackWalnut – Typically used for exquisite furniture and other pricey items, black walnut’s warm natural color offers truck beds a timeless yet tough appearance. This wood would be used for exhibition vehicles that are housed in climate-controlled garages during the week.
- Oak: There’s a solid reason why oak is the most common wood for beds. The oak timber beds of the original C/K trucks, which debuted in 1963, were made to withstand a lot of abuse when transporting cargo. Oak is the “blue jeans of wood alternatives” due to its weight and durability and the fact that it complements almost anything.
How about pre-drilled or not? The majority of slats have the option of being sent with holes pre-drilled to your truck’s specs, but we don’t advise it. The majority of old trucks were built by producers who weren’t as precise with their hole drilling positions as they are now. Every truck needs a little bit of something distinctive.
What are the prices of cm flatbeds?
We are a licensed dealer and installer of CM truck beds! While you wait, we can install a flatbed or service body! Call 618-242-0800.
Heavy-duty flatbeds and work bed trucks from CM Truck Beds are well-known in the industry. They provide a very adaptable bed and fantastic standard features like 30,000 pound B&W Gooseneck Hitch and 18,500 pound B&W Bumper Pull Hitch. Service bodies (steel and aluminum), dump bodies, flatbeds (steel and aluminum), aluminum truck beds, and hay beds are just a few of the variants that CM offers.