Flatbeds... Wood or Steel deck? Regrets? Concerns?

[Colby Jack]

Not a fan of wood beds!

I've run a wood bed on a steel flatbed by Knaphiede (sp?). I loved the strength and size of the bed, but the wood got torn up in no time with regular construction work, and we were always slipping on it-- covered in snow and ice for 8 months here. We always talked about replacing the deck with TREX, and having bedliner sprayed on it, but sold the truck instead. I now have a ladder rack over my bed w/ hi-rise topper. In my opinion-- buy a tilt bed trailer for your home construction needs. I know you didn't ask for opinions from left field, but I've been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Covered storage is priceless.

Colby Jack

 

[chasespeed]

Yeah, I have solidified my decision, and I am going with steel.

And, this isnt just for home construction. I move plenty of stuff. I dont want another trailer kicking around. It would simplify my life, AND, it would add available space to carry cargo.

BUT, I am not spending on money on a vehicle mod right now.... so, unless someone wants MY bed... nothing is happening right now.

Thanks all....

Chase

 

[IdaSHO]

Having worked as a CDL delivery driver for most of my adult life I can tell you that having a steel deck on a flatbed is FAR from ideal.

For hauling material is is down right dangerous. Especially if you are in a wet and/or cold climate.

Moisture puddles faster in the rain.
Moisture condenses and turns to ice faster in the cold.

Wood is far superior for hauling materials.

All but one of the trucks in our delivery fleet have wood decks. The steel decked F800 is the last one to be used simply due to the steel deck.

I have a wood deck on my flatbed. And not only does it make for a much better slip resistant surface in all weather, it adds a good deal of R-value to the floor of my flatbed camper when it is in use. Something a steel deck would not.

 

[chasespeed]

Right, I understand that.

BUT, I have run into other issues than just wood vs steel. I want to keep the deck as low as possible. I cant do that with wood, as I will have the tires hitting the underside of the deck. SO, I need to be able to work in a relief. I imagine I would find a way to build a relief in with the wood... BUT, it would make replacing the planks that much more difficult. Also, what about adding tie downs? How would I accomplish that? just lag bolt the eye to the deck? I need to be able to weld onto my bed, at least the perimeter, which, with a steel perimeter, I can work with that.

Either way, to be able to do what I want, I have to custom make it. It IS going to involve tube work, that much is solid. It NEEDS to be as low as possible. The spare(s) will be mounted up in the bed for the most part. I will be hard mounting several things....

The frame, will be 2x2 box tubing for the perimeter, and 2in C channel for the cross members. The whole thing will sit on 2x2 box to mount to the frame. There will be a recessed goose neck hitch over the rear axle. This much I know as of right now. It SEEMS to me at this point, it would be relatively easy to just finish it up with the welder. I have NO idea how I would secure wood planks in a frame like this. If I went wood, it would need to be replaceable.

The R value, is not important to ME, though, it is a good point, as it very well could be to others... The slick surface, IS important, though, I can take measures to mitigate that. The water puddling/ice... that will be the tough one.

When I am carrying sheet rock, I set it on 2x4s to keep it up off the floor anyway, so....

I dont know.... I think at this point, I REALLY need to get up close with a Ram with a flat bed before I got any further. I also need to twist my truck up pretty hard, and see how far above the frame rail the tire will go....

Thanks for all the thoughts.... I HAVE my frame drawn up, and the hoops, etc. Pretty solid idea on the dimensions of the under body boxes, etc etc. Its pretty much down to the decking, though, I am pretty set on a steel(or maybe aluminum? eh, too much money). As I said, I really need to up to a ram with a flatbed, and go from there. SO... this is on hold for now... too much other stuff going on.... If I could have swapped my bed for one.... it would have been great.. I am sick of the bed, I am sick of the cap.

Thanks again.
Chase

 

[GlennA]

I thought about this thread this past weekend as I loaded various wheeled implements onto my flatbed trailer. The bed is wood with a steel frame. Since each implement was odd sized, securing the load was interesting. Having a wood deck allowed me to nail dunnage where needed as chocks. I had never given much thought to the deck material before. Glad I had wood. YMMV.