Anyone here using an XP Campers tray/flatbed?

[Scoutman]

We're considering changing our setup from a traditional tub bed to a tray bed (flatbed) and one of the options we've been looking at is the one from XP Campers. Does anyone on here run one and if so what's your experience? I don't see much about them unless they're paired with one of their campers.

 

[ttengineer]

I’ve been really considering one as well. Very utilitarian, which I like.

At expo east 2 weeks ago I was really checking out the Norweld and PCOR units.

Norweld was cheaper, about 12k fully loaded, and the PCOR was around 15k fully loaded.

The PCOR was a far more finished product though with powdercoat and wiring to integrate your key fob for locks.

I’d be interested to hear if anyone runs the xpcamper.

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[Scoutman]

I’ve been really considering one as well. Very utilitarian, which I like.

At expo east 2 weeks ago I was really checking out the Norweld and PCOR units.

Norweld was cheaper, about 12k fully loaded, and the PCOR was around 15k fully loaded.

The PCOR was a far more finished product though with powdercoat and wiring to integrate your key fob for locks.

Lol, we only had a couple hours at OXE but I bet one of those hours was spent looking at flatbeds and what you mentioned above. I know half my pictures are. One of my beef's with the Norweld units are that they seem to be so much wider and taller than the truck cab. I'd like something a bit more streamlined. I loved the integrated locks of the PCOR but after talking to the fellow at Nuthouse it sounds like those lockable 'slam latches' are harder to get a good seal on than the twist handle compression latches. Most of these mfg's would have to make something custom for a long bed full sized truck since the short beds and smaller trucks seem more popular.

 

[pugslyyy]

One of the things I like about the xpcamper ones is that they are made-to-order in the USA (Grass Valley, CA), rather than sourced overseas. I believe PCOR and Norweld are both imported from Australia. This means you can have one custom made to your exact specifications.

(I was at xpcamper last week and they are making a huge tray for an Acela)

 

[Scoutman]

That was another reason I was checking them out. They also mount theirs using a 3 point system whereas I think most standard run-of-the-mill flatbeds running the roads in the US are all u'bolted to the frame or mount to existing OEM bed mounts. Also, the construction of their trays use adhesive and fasteners instead of welds.

 

[Inline6]

looking at flatbed options now as well. having a hard time justifying 10K or more for a flatbed. I have found a couple cheaper options, but of course not with all the fancy under bed boxes. Contemplating building one myself instead.

Interested to hear about these from users.

 

[pugslyyy]

looking at flatbed options now as well. having a hard time justifying 10K or more for a flatbed. I have found a couple cheaper options, but of course not with all the fancy under bed boxes. Contemplating building one myself instead.

Interested to hear about these from users.

It is usually cheaper to use your labor over someone else's for sure! Run the numbers though, it may not be as big a difference as you think - Alu is just an expensive building material, and not a lot of people are equipped to weld it. Even if you have someone cut and bend the sheetmetal for the boxes for you there is a lot of welding to do there. Also, I know xpcamper uses a proprietary extrusion for their bed that was custom designed for the application, and suspect the Aussie companies do as well.

 

[ttengineer]

I know Mainline will give you a credit for the bed they take off. The rep said it usually covers install.

I still think the PCOR is the most finished of the 3 I’ve seen in person: PCOR, Norweld, and Nuthouse. I’d also rank them in that order. I would really like to see an XPCamper flat bed.


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[todd gill]

I was at XP in late Oct. to drop off my truck for a flatbed conversion. I was able to stay and watch the process of manufacture and have to say they do very good work. What is very nice about their setup is you can get custom fabrication and install made in the USA. I do not think you would be dissatisfied with anything they make. Good luck.

 

[ttengineer]

I was at XP in late Oct. to drop off my truck for a flatbed conversion. I was able to stay and watch the process of manufacture and have to say they do very good work. What is very nice about their setup is you can get custom fabrication and install made in the USA. I do not think you would be dissatisfied with anything they make. Good luck.

Got any photos?


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[locrwln]

Alum-Line here. Right around $6600 delivered to my door and built in Iowa. Yes it uses u-bolts to attach it to the truck, but most modern trucks have very little frame flex. SD's 1999-2016 still flex quite a bit, but otherwise, there is very little to worry about on that front. IMHO. Customized to fit my frame extension and specifications.

Looks more proportionate with the camper installed.

I found out after I got my bed that they will do a center rear under bed drawer.

Jack

 

[Tex68w]

I am considering a flat bad/tray setup myself. I have a few things in air at the moment and depending on how they fall we might end up building a new rig for a flatbed and a flatbed FWC. I wanted to like Norweld myself but I agree that the height of the deck is a tad too tall when compared to some of the others. Ute Mfg. makes the bed for the AEV Tray Truck so there's another option as well.

 

[ttengineer]

I am considering a flat bad/tray setup myself. ... I wanted to like Norweld myself but I agree that the height of the deck is a tad too tall when compared to some of the others. Ute Mfg. makes the bed for the AEV Tray Truck so there's another option as well.

So I was most curious about the added height of the Norweld/PCOR rigs over the stock bed height and was one of the attributes I discussed thoroughly with the reps.

None could give me a specific Delta on the height from stock to flat bed, but they appear to be around the 3 to 5 inch range depending on brand.

This seems like a lot, but if you take into account the short or foldable sides of the flat bed and the lack of tailgate, there is far more reachable real estate on the bed than with traditional bedsides and tailgates. Plus the added wheel well boxes and bed slide are astonishingly useful.

What I didn’t like about the Norweld was:

1 .) tubular headache rack for full size line vs the square stock used on the midsize line. The tubular headache rack just felt like an after thought and not part of the overall design aesthetic.

2.) a tad “unfinished” when compared to other brands especially the fuel filler neck and bed light. Plus the raw aluminum, I felt, could have used powder coat.





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[HayStax]

I’m interested in a “tray” for my Raptor and a canopy/RTT or composite cube. Aluminium prices are really high right now but there is still quite a premium on the Aussie imports, I’d imagine XP are on the high end of the spectrum as well. Great concept, hard to implement here in the States without spending a fortune

 

[Tex68w]

My concern for the higher deck height isn't so much in regards to real estate or aesthetics, it's more of a concern for the reduced COG and load stability when a camper is added, which is the only reason why we are considering such a setup in the first place.