New Four Wheel UTE Flat Bed Model Coming Soon ...
- Thread starter Stan@FourWheel
- Start date
Agreed. I have read his posts in the past on the Tacoma and the FWC and they both seem like a great combo. Nice and small for trails but strong enough for the camper. Not to mention Toyota's great reliability.
lqhikers
Adventurer
frame strength
i have been a member of wander the west forum for a lot of years and still follow
as some know i tend to change rigs every few years.
one of my trucks 2004 reg cab 4x4 tacoma with fwc was set up to use in Baja etc.
because we were way over weight i added helig helper springs and ride rite air bags.
put quite a few miles on with no real problems that could not be fixed example mounting
bolts for fwc ripped out has happened to others,but the big problem was that the mounting point for the
ride rite air bags (where they connected frame)on passenger side caused frame to crack,this was after
we had spent a few days riding the Baja 1000 course.when inspecting i found that the frame on a 2004
taco is not boxed at the point air bag is mounted,drivers side is reinforced as this area is used to mount brake valve.
on my 2008 extended cab 4x4 tacoma the ride rite mounting brackets are of a different design so they supported the bags
better,i still added helig helper springs for load carry duties.so for the little amount of work it would take to box in the stress
points i would suggest that any one over loading to consider this.
i have never up graded to Deaver type etc, springs or after market suspension parts as all the years i have been
backcountry trail exploring i have never had a failure with my rigs.
point to remember i am talking about my travel/living rig not toys,jeeps,buggies,bikes etc,these i broke all the time!
just my thoughts,your may differ.
Les,lqhikers
i have been a member of wander the west forum for a lot of years and still follow
as some know i tend to change rigs every few years.
one of my trucks 2004 reg cab 4x4 tacoma with fwc was set up to use in Baja etc.
because we were way over weight i added helig helper springs and ride rite air bags.
put quite a few miles on with no real problems that could not be fixed example mounting
bolts for fwc ripped out has happened to others,but the big problem was that the mounting point for the
ride rite air bags (where they connected frame)on passenger side caused frame to crack,this was after
we had spent a few days riding the Baja 1000 course.when inspecting i found that the frame on a 2004
taco is not boxed at the point air bag is mounted,drivers side is reinforced as this area is used to mount brake valve.
on my 2008 extended cab 4x4 tacoma the ride rite mounting brackets are of a different design so they supported the bags
better,i still added helig helper springs for load carry duties.so for the little amount of work it would take to box in the stress
points i would suggest that any one over loading to consider this.
i have never up graded to Deaver type etc, springs or after market suspension parts as all the years i have been
backcountry trail exploring i have never had a failure with my rigs.
point to remember i am talking about my travel/living rig not toys,jeeps,buggies,bikes etc,these i broke all the time!
just my thoughts,your may differ.
Les,lqhikers
Clutch
<---Pass
I would think the stock Tacoma frame would be fine, but for added assurance...since the bed is going to be pulled anyways, wouldn't take that
much more effort to box in the frame, toss on some heavy duty springs of your choice, and you're good to go.
*thumbs-up*
much more effort to box in the frame, toss on some heavy duty springs of your choice, and you're good to go.
*thumbs-up*
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Overland Hadley
on a journey
Shell model, and build it out to your specs?
Overland Hadley
on a journey
I have tried and tried to get the weight of the composite bed the Ute bed would be replacing, but with no luck. Personally I feel there would be a little weight savings, but not a lot. But until somebody weighs the bed of a Gen2 Tacoma and compares it to the exact weight of the Ute bed we will not know for sure.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
This is one of the main reasons I went with Timbrens on my Tacoma. I feel much better about the way they transfer the weight to the frame of the Tacoma.
Nuclear Redneck
Adventurer
I was deployed to the Persian Gulf and Western Pacific. Just got home today. Judging by my kids' current proximity to me, a Fleet model flatbed is entirely too much room!
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Thanks for the link.
RickNV
Observer
after owning two tacoma's (a 2003 + 2007) and a 2006 Tundra access cab I have found that for me the Tundra is better suited for my needs- the cost of fueling is only slightly higher in my Tundra but the bennifits of the size and comfort far outweights the Taco. I can't wait to see this new flat bed FWC on Tundra or dodge full size. Nice work FWC this is going to be a bid success.... but personally I would not do this on a small truck like a Taco.
Clutch
<---Pass
You're welcome.
brianjwilson
Some sort of lost...
Straying off topic here, but I think they are often just as bad. The frames aren't designed to carry the weight in that spot I think. Happens on a lot other trucks too. Heavier springs or helper springs that keep the weight on the factory spring hangers/shackles are probably the best thing you could do IMO.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Might be, but on my Timbrens the weight is transferred to the factory bump-stop bracket. So the area is designed to take some abuse.
I also have OME Dakar leafs helping things out, so I am not relying 100% on the Timbrens to hold the extra weight.
Denny@fwcjh
Observer
I didn't weight the composite bed when I removed it. It did take four people one on each corner, but it was easy for two people to lift the tray with no headache rack and side rails. The composite bed was also more awkward though. My guess is the tray was about 75lbs lighter.