Flat bed coversion

[Laredo]

I have started to give it a lot of thought lately.
There are a few companies that carry it, but the prices are so high.
I'm thinking of making one my self. does any body want to join the ride? maybe we can cut the cost and have a better product?

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[JTRDistraction]

If you were in Florida, I'd take you up on that offer. Good luck and take lots of pictures.

 

[1stXMan]

I'm in the same boat. Love the concept, but can't afford it. I'm in DFW just in case.

 

[Laredo]

ok i understand.
I am contemplating between two routes :
1. Steel - easy to apply, heavy per same crosscut section, cheaper
2. Aluminum - harder to fabricate, more expensive, heavier

I think that for my every day usage the truck will just have the tray. only when going camping I will add the canopy. even the spare tire will be mounted on the canopy

that being said - the frame of the tray will carry all the weight. so I can get away with a strong frame, with a thin sheet metal cover. instead of doing a lot of upper deck reinforcement's.
maybe a metal frame, c channel 70x70, sitting on two straight bars along the chassis

thoughts?
off course I would like to add to that - 1 big drawer in between the rails, and two side tool boxes

 

[Minty JL]

I understand the form and function.......but I think they look goofy unless its a dually.

yeah.....do a dually conversion too

 

[Freems]

I understand the form and function.......but I think they look goofy unless its a dually.

yeah.....do a dually conversion too

Shape of the bed will yield a non goofy look…you have to draw attention to how cool “somewhere else“ is that jumps out to make you forget a dually.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

There's always the good ol' fashioned lumber route.... But that's likely to cost just as much lol

 

[Freems]

ok i understand.
I am contemplating between two routes :
1. Steel - easy to apply, heavy per same crosscut section, cheaper
2. Aluminum - harder to fabricate, more expensive, heavier

I think that for my every day usage the truck will just have the tray. only when going camping I will add the canopy. even the spare tire will be mounted on the canopy

that being said - the frame of the tray will carry all the weight. so I can get away with a strong frame, with a thin sheet metal cover. instead of doing a lot of upper deck reinforcement's.
maybe a metal frame, c channel 70x70, sitting on two straight bars along the chassis

thoughts?
off course I would like to add to that - 1 big drawer in between the rails, and two side tool boxes

Keep in mind center of gravity as you spec out your frame material and also focus on weight distribution. Remember your on soft coil springs. You need to add up how much you usually carry and what you want to carry in the new bed. This data will help you work through your design requirements.

 

[Lukasz]

What's the point of these?
You lose the space below the wheel wells and raise your center of gravity.
Honest question.

 

[Freems]

What's the point of these?
You lose the space below the wheel wells and raise your center of gravity.
Honest question.

space is not lost if your designing it for your needs and I’ve seen some flat bed designs that lowers the CG of the vehicle and there cool as hell if done well

 

[Sweetums]

I would consider a flatbed or drop-side tray if I ever do a bunch of damage to my current bed. Please post updates of your process! Depending how it goes and the tools you use, you might end up with a CAD file that you could sell/license for other home fabricators.

 

[BearFootSam]

I'm here to watch it. I've thought about the merits of a stake bed quite a few times. I'm curious about the weight differential, that's the bugaboo.

 

[Sweetums]

I'm here to watch it. I've thought about the merits of a stake bed quite a few times. I'm curious about the weight differential, that's the bugaboo.

I think that comes down to aluminum vs steel. One of the reasons aftermarket trays are over $10,000 is because they are aluminum.

 

[Lukasz]

space is not lost if your designing it for your needs and I’ve seen some flat bed designs that lowers the CG of the vehicle and there cool as hell if done well

OK, but what's the benefit over a regular bed?

 

[Laredo]

I will try to answer as much as I can at this time accurately:
I have added a picture from another thread for reference

weight -
when calculating the weight of the removed bed and the flat bed, i think i will be in braking even or even less. that is for the tray only.
CG - center of gravity
the cg point will rise, no doubt.
Springs -
the main benefit of riding empty most of the time, will be to have s light vehicle that has soft ride. when putting the canopy i will need to accommodate for the added weight. maybe air bag
Storage -
I don't think I will be losing any storage space, if anything, between the canter drawer and the side boxes, I will have the same storage as i have in my decked system today. and that is riding empty...
Looks -
To each it own, I'm trying to be practical.

Added benefits -
I'm currently on 37". I'm going to be able to ride on 42" without any problems or crazy offset.
Water storage in the head board.
Maybe another fuel tank...
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